The Australian Museum (AM) has announced the finalists for the 2022 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, with University of Wollongong (UOW) researchers from the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) selected in the Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research category.
Titled NEW EARS, the team involved in the selected finalist project includes UOW’s IPRI Director Prof Gordon Wallace and IPRI Research Fellow Dr Johnson Chung. The project is a collaboration with the RPA Institute of Academic Surgery and Chris O' Brien Lifehouse. ENT Surgeon A/Prof Payal Mukherjee, scientist Dr Kai Cheng and prosthetists Sophie Fleming are other critical members of the team.
With their mix of expertise and experience, the NEW EARS team looks to develop a single-step solution to combat the usually complex approach to ear reconstruction. The project combines innovative materials and prosthetics with new 3D bioprinting technology, creating the potential for low-cost reconstructive treatments deployable around the world.
“To address projects like this you must have an effective and integrated interdisciplinary team. The number of people involved in this project is extensive,” said Prof Wallace.
“We are all proud of where we have got to so far and are all determined to realise clinical deployment.”
The Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research category highlights the pioneering developments in Australian science.
The winner will be announced next month on Wednesday 31, August at the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Award Ceremony held at Hintze Hall, Australian Museum. A live broadcast will also be available from 7:30pm (AEST) via the Australian Museum website.
For finalists and more information visit Australian Museum Eureka Prizes finalists.