Now Dr Colin Jackson – who was named the inaugural ACT Scientist of the Year during National Science Week – wants to improve science literacy in the next generation.

The Australian National University Research School of Chemistry future fellow believes inspiring people to study science, technology, maths and engineering is critical to the nation's future.

Unlike most children, microscopes and encyclopaedias were the big-ticket items on his Christmas wish list.

He recognises that not everyone chose books over bicycles as a kid though, which is why he believes he and his colleagues need to actively foster people's interest in science.

"We need to convince people that funding universities and science research is important and the best way to do that is to show them how the taxpayer's money is spent," Dr Jackson said.

"We need to better communicate what we do and why it's important. It's our responsibility to make people interested.

"I have a one-year-old daughter and I want her to grow up in a world where people make decisions based on research."

Australia's chief scientist Professor Ian Chubb agreed that political and community support were vital to the future of the country.

"Science and research are critical to what we do today and we've got to remember that and cherish it and make sure it's not a standing or a status that we lose because of latent effort or will," Professor Chubb said.

"We can only use science for good if we educate ourselves on how it works and know the difference between scientists and snake oil salesmen."

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Dr Jackson was one of a number of Canberrans "genuinely committed to impacting our city and our nation through science".

"[Dr Jackson's research] on how we might be able to cure diseases such as Alzheimer's is highly valuable as we face the challenges of an aging population," Mr Barr said.

"His work to address insecticide resistance in pests that devastate crops is a further demonstration of the importance of innovation in science. Through this Dr Jackson and his team are working to ensure reliable food production in Australia is not compromised as well as seeking to vastly reduce the application of pesticides.

"Needless to say, the impacts of Dr Jackson's research in a variety of fields are being felt in a variety of fields all over the world and we are incredibly lucky to have scientists of his calibre in Canberra."