The Australian Academy of Science has announced its annual awards for scientific excellence, with University of Sydney evolutionary biologist Professor Rick Shine taking out the Burnet Medal for the biological sciences.

The Fenner Medal for research in biology went to ecologist Dr Michael McCarthy from the University of Melbourne, while immunologist Dr Gabrielle Belz from WEHI won the Gottschalk Medal for research in the medical sciences.

Cancer geneticist Dr Vanessa Hayes from the Garvan Institute won the inaugural Ruth Stephens Gani Medal, for research in human genetics.

For the full list and biographies, see the AAS website.