Liam Mannix stands at the forefront of Australian science journalism, blending investigative rigor with unparalleled explanatory clarity. As national science reporter for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, his work spans virology, climate impacts, and neuroscience, consistently spotlighting the human stories behind scientific breakthroughs.
Mannix prioritizes Australian-based research with clear public interest angles. His award-winning COVID-19 coverage demonstrates particular interest in preventative health strategies and research infrastructure gaps. Avoid pitches lacking peer-reviewed data or those promoting commercial health products without independent verification.
Mannix’s trajectory began at InDaily in Adelaide, where his 2014 Walkley Young Journalist Award-winning work demonstrated an early knack for data-driven investigations. His pivot to science journalism at The Age coincided with Australia’s COVID-19 crisis, where his ability to decode complex virology for mainstream audiences proved invaluable.
“The Perfect Virus” (2020) broke down SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein mechanics six months before Delta variant concerns emerged, showcasing Mannix’s predictive analysis.
This 5,000-word feature intertwines Vivian’s personal journey with cutting-edge neuroscience research on ADHD cognition. Mannix leverages interviews with Melbourne-based researchers to challenge stereotypes about neurodivergent thinking in business leadership.
Anticipating key pandemic themes, Mannix connected bat coronavirus research from CSIRO with climate-driven habitat loss. His sourcing of unpublished grant proposals revealed systemic underfunding in zoonotic disease prevention.
Mannix dissects a controversial telomere study with trademark skepticism, consulting biogerontologists to separate statistical noise from actionable health insights. The piece exemplifies his commitment to combating scientific sensationalism.
Mannix prioritizes stories connecting environmental shifts to public health outcomes, as seen in his 2023 series on bushfire smoke and childhood asthma. Successful pitches might explore heatwave impacts on medication efficacy or coastal erosion’s effect on mental health.
His exposé on Australia’s abandoned coronavirus vaccine projects (2021) demonstrates interest in research policy. Pitch investigations into grant allocation biases or private-sector partnerships in academia.
The 2025 Vivian profile reveals Mannix’s focus on cognitive diversity’s role in innovation. Compelling angles could include assistive tech developments or workplace accommodation case studies.
2022 Press Club Quill Award: Recognized for demystifying mRNA vaccine trials through patient-centered reporting. Mannix’s embedded coverage of Phase III participants highlighted rarely discussed ethical dimensions of medical research.
2019 Eureka Prize: Awarded for investigative work exposing conflicts of interest in nutrition supplement studies, leading to reforms in Australian Complementary Medicines regulation.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Science, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
