The 2014 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation in Life Sciences has been awarded to Professor Ashley Bush for his outstanding contributions to the field of translational neuroscience.

The award recognises Professor Bush’s work exploring how key proteins and metals interact to contribute to degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Victorian Innovation Minister Louise Asher in announcing the prize said, “Professor Bush is internationally renowned for his outstanding body of work on translational neuroscience,   which has included findings on the cause of Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of metal biology in degenerative brain diseases.”

Professor Bush is the Chief Scientific Officer of the Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health, providing scientific oversight and advice on the CRC’s research into mental health diseases, psychoses and mood disorders. He is also Director of the Oxidation Biology Unit at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and an NHMRC Australia Fellow.

The Victoria Prizes are awarded annually by the Victorian Government to outstanding science leaders in Victoria. They celebrate leadership, determination, endeavour and creativity, and highlight the world-class scientific research happening in Victoria.

Victorian Innovation Minister Louise Asher, Professor Ashley Bush, Professor Frank Caruso (winner for Physical Sciences) and the 2014 Victoria Fellowship winners. Photo credit: Veski, www.veski.org.au