Scientists receive highest accolade

IN a reflection of the nation's scientists in research, a neurologist and a physicist have received Australia's highest honour.

IN a reflection of the standing the nation's scientists hold in the global research community, a neurologist and a physicist have received Australia's highest honour.

Neurologist Samuel Berkovic and physicist Bruce McKellar were awarded two of this Australia Day's seven Companions of the Order of Australia.

Professor Berkovic is an academic as much as he is a clinician, but it's seeing the impact that his research into epilepsy has on patients that has given him the most pleasure in his long career.

The 60-year-old received his honour "for eminent service to biomedical research in the field of epilepsy genetics as a leading academic and clinician, to the study of neurology on a national and international level, and as an ambassador for Australian medical science education".

Professor Berkovic said he was "gobsmacked" by the award, despite having had his work recognised with an AM in 2005.

"I didn't expect an award at that level," he said. "It's humbling, and it's really a tribute to the big team I'm privileged to lead."

The Melburnian said he had always been interested in medicine as a child and been "bitten by the research bug" while studying neurology under Peter Bladin on his first rotation as an intern at the Austin Hospital in 1978.

"He was doing all kinds of stuff that wasn't in the books," Professor Berkovic said. "It was really fascinating and I was really inspired and encouraged by him."

Though his breakthroughs have been many, Professor Berkovic said the one that gave him "the biggest buzz" was the discovery of the first gene for epilepsy in 1995.

"That really was a paradigmatic change," he said. "I remember sitting in my study at home when a colleague from Germany rang me.

"It was one of those 'aha' moments you hope for. Everything came together. Until then, I wasn't sure as a clinical researcher that I could help make such a discovery and facilitate the steps from family to molecular level."

Since the 1995 discovery, Professor Berkovic says the technology involved in researching genomics has exploded, largely due to "spectacular advances" in the human genome project.

Professor Berkovic is currently involved in a major international study sequencing the genes of 4000 patients with epilepsy.

Professor McKellar admits even the experts do not really understand his discipline any more. A little over a century ago, physicists started pulling apart atoms - previously considered the indivisible building blocks of the universe - and discovered nuclei, protons, neutrons and quarks.

"One can ask, does it stop there? Or does it keep going?" Professor McKellar said.

He has received the nation's top honour for eminent service to theoretical physics.

A hundred years ago, people had no idea what difference atoms, nuclei and quantum theory would make, he said.

"Our lives would be completely different had we not taken steps to understand those things. No mobile phones, no television - all kinds of things would be completely different."