Australia honours Indian researcher

Prof Ralph Martins,an Indian-origin researcher of Alzheimers disease,has been named the Western Australias Australian of the Year 2010. Prof Martins,whose team discovered that the beta amyloid protein that coats the brain is the foundation of the disease,has been instrumental in bringing to Perth technology that makes it possible to determine if a patient has deposits of the toxic beta amyloid and is working to develop an early diagnostic blood test. He will join recipients from all other states and territories as finalists for the national awards to be announced on January 25. Born to parents from India,Prof Martins moved to Perth when he was 16.