Justin Yerbury, a Molecular biologist professor at the University of Wollongong (UOW) has been awarded the 2022 UNSW Eureka prize for scientific research. The award recognizes Yerbury’s work in motor neuron disease. The scientist himself suffering from the disease has made significant contributions to understanding the disease. He was diagnosed with the disease back in 2016.
The Eureka Science prize is Australia’s most comprehensive national science award established in 1990. The award honours Scientists are working across areas of research, innovation, science engagement, and leadership.
Yerbury says ‘’I want a better life for people with MND and I want to make MND a treatable disease’’
Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is a fatal disease that left the scientist paralysed. It affects nerves called motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Furthermore, it affects the functioning of muscles and helps control moments. Professor Yerbury was curious to know about the disease as he lost most of his family members to MND. He said,
“At the time … we had no idea what MND was, and we had no clue of what was to come. In the next few years, we would lose cousins, aunts, my grandmother and my mother.”
Basically, he wanted to know why there were no drugs available to cure or slow down the disease. Yerbury initially struggled to understand the science behind the disease. However, he made a career in MND research.
He said, “As a field, we need to understand better the molecular causes of MND in order to discover or design effective drugs,”
A real honour to receive this recognition from the Eureka prizes
Yerbury said he is truly humble about the prize. He said, “It is a real honour to receive this recognition from the Eureka prizes. The award, to me, is a recognition of the hard work and sacrifice that my team has made in our quest to improve the lives of Australians living with MND. It is a reflection of the amazing efforts of those that make it all possible, including my wife Rachel, my family, my research team, and all those that have donated to our research.”
