Professor Emma Johnston honoured, research excellence recognised at Eureka Prizes

The late Professor Emma Johnston AO was honoured at the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes. Copyright: Australian Museum.

The University of Melbourne has been celebrated at the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, with researchers and teams recognised for their outstanding contributions to science.

At a ceremony in Sydney last night, University of Melbourne’s Associate Professor Karen Lamb and Science Gallery Melbourne were recognised for outstanding mentorship and STEM inclusion.

The enduring legacy of Professor Emma Johnston AO was also honoured, with the renaming of a prize to the Professor Emma Johnston Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science, recognising individuals and teams who make science accessible, engaging and meaningful to the community.

The Prize is supported by the Emma Johnston Fund, established to honour Professor Johnston’s legacy. On behalf of Professor Johnston’s family, we thank all those who have generously contributed to the Fund.

Professor Johnston’s family thanks everyone who has generously contributed to the Fund.

University of Melbourne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mark Cassidy, who attended the awards ceremony, said: “Emma believed deeply in the power of science to improve lives and in the importance of bringing the community with us on that journey.

“This Prize reflects Professor Johnston’s extraordinary contribution to scientific endeavour and science communication throughout her career as a scientist, researcher, academic, mentor and university leader. This Prize is a fitting tribute to her legacy, helping to inspire and celebrate the next generation of scientists to share their work with the world.”

Professor Johnston was the University of Melbourne’s 21st Vice-Chancellor, passing away due to complications associated with cancer in December last year.

She was a marine ecologist and internationally recognised science communicator, awarded the Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research in 2015 (the award now named in her honour) for her work bringing marine science to the public.

The announcement was accompanied by recognition of University of Melbourne research and outreach, with Associate Professor Karen Lamb being awarded the University of Technology Sydney Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Researchers, and Science Gallery Melbourne awarded the Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion.

Associate Professor Lamb was recognised for her creation of a national mentoring program for statisticians and her inclusive approach to building confidence, leadership and inclusion in STEM.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition and wish to thank the many mentors involved in the program for sharing their time, nurturing the next generation, and creating a genuine sense of belonging for mentees,” Associate Professor Lamb said.

Science Gallery Melbourne was recognised for its work using science, creativity and culture to engage underrepresented communities in STEM. It's exhibitions and programs have attracted 350,000 people since 2021 and achieved inspiring levels of engagement with young women, diverse and disadvantaged audiences.

Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement), said the award demonstrated how University galleries and museums are integral to widening participation by connecting research, teaching and public engagement.

“This recognition highlights the important role creativity and culture can play in inspiring greater engagement with science,” Professor Wesley said. “By bringing together researchers, artists and young people, Science Gallery Melbourne helps make STEM more accessible, sparks curiosity and opens new pathways for participation.”

The University of Melbourne also acknowledges other researchers who were finalists in this year's awards, spanning fields including infectious diseases, scientific leadership, research mentorship, medical research and technology. They include:

Professor Laura Downie and the FrontTear team – finalist for the Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology, recognising their development of Functional In Vivo Confocal Microscopy, a technology that allows immune cells to be observed moving in real time within the corneas of living people.
Enterprise Professor Andrew Wilks – finalist for the Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science, recognising his contribution to scientific discovery, drug development, research translation and mentoring.
Professor Alan Cowman and Dr Justin Boddey, from WEHI, and Erica Plummer and Lenka Vodstrcil, from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre’s Women’s Microbiome Innovation Group – finalists for the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research. Their work spans new approaches to drug-resistant malaria and bacterial vaginosis.
Professor Sherene Loi, from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre – finalist for the UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research, for research into the protective effects of pregnancy and breastfeeding against breast cancer.

The University congratulates all University of Melbourne researchers and teams recognised in this year’s Eureka Prizes and celebrates their contribution to advancing knowledge and making a difference to communities in Australia and around the world.