On Wednesday, Australia's first female Nobel laureate was formally acknowledged by the school that helped shape her scientific mind in receiving Launceston Grammar's 2019 Peter Sculthorpe Alumnus Award.

Named after the Launceston-born composer, the award was created in 2015 to honour a member of the school community who has made a significant achievement within their field of endeavour.

Professor Blackburn attended Broadland House - later amalgamated with Launceston Grammar - from 1953 to 1964.

Since moving overseas in 1971 to pursue a career science, she has received numerous accolades for her work - including the 100th Nobel Prize for Medicine.

Now working at the University of California, on Tuesday professor Blackburn's sisters Barbara Loh and Katherine Marsde accepted the award on her behalf.

However, professor Blackburn was able to share a video message to students, using the opportunity to encourage today's young minds to ask lots of questions.

"My advice for students is persist in finding what you love to do and find that you can do well," she said.

"Then keep the bigger picture and use it for the benefit of humanity. It was not too hard for me to find my passion for doing science, but many people do find it hard.

"The advice I would give my teenage self, about many issues, is don't be reluctant to ask for advice or help from whoever you think can be supportive of you."

Launceston Grammar headmaster Richard Ford said he hoped the message would prove inspiring.

"What's stood out to me as Elizabeth spoke, was hearing about the way her time at school shaped her as a person - particularly her curiosity and creativity," he said.

"She has used that throughout her life and my hope is students who saw and heard from her today ... will be inspired to keep on asking questions as she challenged them to."