Senior researcher at Neuroscience Research Australia Prof George Paxinos AO has been nominated for an Award for Research Excellence, one of Australia’s longest running and most prestigious awards for medical research.
Prof Paxinos is being recognised for developing brain maps used by scientists and doctors around the world in neurosurgery, drug development and research into the brain and nervous system.
Having authored 42 books and over 160 research papers, Paxinos’ work has had a remarkable impact on our understanding of the structure and function of the brain and spinal cord.
His book ‘The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates’ is the third most cited scientific book of all time.
Often likened to the 15th century explorer Ferdinand Magellan for his attempts to map the brain in a way never previously attempted, Prof Paxinos emphasises the importance of these maps for medical research.
“Brain researchers, no less than geographers, need maps and coordinate systems to navigate the brain and communicate their observations to each other,” says Prof Paxinos.
Prof Paxinos will compete against 11 finalists from across Australia for the Award for Research Excellence, and the accompanying $80,000 research grant.
The winner of the 32nd annual Award for Research Excellence will be announced on Tuesday 11 September at the Melbourne Museum. The awards are an initiative of GlaxoSmithKline.
