The Royal Society of Victoria has established four prestigious competitive prizes open to Victorian students in their third or fourth year of doctoral candidature, in all areas of the Biomedical & Health Sciences, Biological Sciences (Non-human), Earth Sciences and Physical Sciences.

We are delighted to announce eight finalists have been selected to present and compete for a prize on the night of Thursday, 24 September. They are:

• Stefan Vollgger
  Monash University’s School of Earth, Atmosphere & Environment
• Caitlin Gionfriddo
  The University of Melbourne’s School of Earth Sciences
• Kelly Stanger
  The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Veterinary Science
• Anna Flanagan-Moodie
  Deakin University’s School of Life & Environmental Sciences
• Edward Nagul
  The University of Melbourne’s School of Chemistry
• Catherine De Burgh-Day
  The University of Melbourne’s School of Physics
• April Philpott
  Monash University’s School of Psychological Sciences
• Eamonn Fahy
  The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences

Of the eight finalists, only four will win the prize of $1000 for their respective categories. The award is based on demonstration of the applicant’s excellence in scientific research, ability to communicate scientific information clearly and succinctly to an audience of scientists and members of the general public on their particular research field and to answer questions from the audience.

Each of the short-listed candidates will be required to give a 15 minute oral presentation (10 minutes presentation, 5 minutes discussion) before a general audience of guests and members at the Society on 24th September 2015 commencing from 6:30 p.m. The order of speaking is decided by ballot on the night. Winner will be announced at a special function following the presentations at the Royal Society of Victoria’s Hall.

The presentations are open to fellow students, friends and families through invitation, as well as RSV Members and the general public through bookings below.

The Biological Sciences (Non-human) prize and Earth Sciences prize are generously supported by donations from the families of previous Royal Society Presidents Edmund D Gill and Neil Archbold respectively.