Eureka! NICTA's Peter Stuckey wins Google Australia Eureka Prize for Innovation in Computer Science

NICTA congratulates Peter Stuckey, winner of the inaugural Google Australia Eureka Prize for Innovation in Computer Science. Professor Stuckey, a Project Leader at NICTA’s Victoria Research Laboratory and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Melbourne, won the prize for his new approach to a mathematical process called combinatorial optimisation. This is the process used to identify the optimal combination of variables to support complex tasks like airline crew scheduling, water usage allocation and hospital staff rostering.

Professor Stuckey has come up with a ‘lazy’ problem solver, or clause generator, that improves the speed of this process by orders of magnitude. The core of the solver is an algorithm that can be built onto a software platform to address hard, important challenges faced by many businesses.

Professor Stuckey accepted his prize at a sparkling Eureka Awards ceremony in Sydney last night. “I am genuinely surprised and delighted with this award,” he said. “It’s especially important as it recognises use-inspired research – the fundamental idea that will go on to make a real difference to the way we solve difficult problems in our society.”
"Professor Stuckey's work addresses the extremely important challenges facing decision-makers in all areas, whether it's timetabling transportation networks, inventory management, healthcare, production scheduling or electronic circuit design," said Frank Howarth, Director of the Australian Museum.

Dr David Skellern, NICTA CEO, said: “Peter’s achievement is inspiring and well deserved. His lazy clause generator is truly novel and world-class. Peter’s success in winning the first Eureka Prize for Innovation in Computer Science is very exciting for all of us at NICTA.”

A complete list of Eureka Prize winners can be found at http://eureka.australianmuseum.net.au.

Document(s): Eureka! NICTA's Peter Stuckey wins Google Australia Eureka Prize for Innovation in Computer Science
Contact: Dorothy Kennedy
Ph: +61 2 9376 2098 or +61 488 229 687
Email: dorothy.kennedy@nicta.com.au