Professor Susan Coppersmith is a renowned theoretical physicist who has made fundamental advances in the study of multiple complex condensed matter systems, including granular materials, biomaterials and quantum computers. Her work has significantly enhanced our understanding of crystalline components and developed unifying theories across diverse areas such as population biology and superfluidity.
In the past five years, Susan’s contributions include insights into increasing the fidelities of qubits hosted in silicon-germanium and germanium quantum dots. Her research has also improved our understanding of how quantum computation could enhance the discovery potential of dark matter experiments. Additionally, she developed a theory demonstrating quantitatively that the quantum tunnelling of the magnetisation of individual iron atoms displays stochastic resonance, a nonlinear phenomenon previously shown to operate in classical complex systems.
Her theoretical results have had practical implications, such as influencing Intel’s quantum computing group to investigate modified silicon-germanium structures. This work strengthens the position of NSW in developing quantum computing hardware and its potential applications, offering transformative performance enhancements and fostering new types of spintronics devices.
Susan has served as the Head of the School of Physics at UNSW Sydney and has been a member of the Sydney Quantum Academy’s Technical Advisory Committee since 2020. Her accolades include election to the Australian Academy of Science and the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. She was also selected as the Australian Institute of Physics, Women in Physics Lecturer for 2024.
Susan has published 194 journal articles, attracting over 10,500 citations. She has an h-index of 56 and is an inventor on three US patents.
Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen is a world-leading researcher in microbiology and a pioneer in microbial genomics and synthetic biology. He has developed the infrastructure and capabilities to harness the potential of synthetic biology, positioning Australia as a global leader in this transformative field.
As Founder and Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Ian aims to catalyse a bioeconomy based on alternatives to fossil fuel-derived products. The Centre develops microbes that convert agricultural biomass into high-value plastics, chemicals, fertilisers and fuels. In just three years, it has spun out nine companies, raising over $180 million in venture capital and producing innovations such as a methane emission-reducing cattle feed supplement.
Ian co-found and directs the Australian Genome Foundry, a world-class facility for automated microbe construction and testing. He also co-directs Australia’s node of Yeast 2.0, an international consortium building the world’s first complex synthetic organism.
His work addresses critical global challenges such as food security, waste management, water quality and decarbonisation, with significant implications for NSW. Ian’s research has the potential to create new economic opportunities by leveraging the state’s rich biomass resources. His commitment to training future synthetic biology researchers fosters a skilled workforce driving innovation and growth across NSW.
Ian is a fellow of the Royal Society of NSW and Australian Academy of Science, and a former ARC Laureate Fellow. His research has secured over $100 million in funding and has published over 380 journal articles, attracting over 100,000 citations with an h-index of 132. His publications are cited 251 per cent more than the global average for his field, marking him as a Highly Cited Researcher by the Institute for Scientific Information.
Professor Stuart Tangye is a Senior Principal Research Fellow at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and an international leader in human molecular and cellular immunology and inborn errors of immunity (IEI).
Stuart’s research has uncovered the molecular requirements for human immune cells to effectively protect us against infectious diseases. His work reveals how single gene defects disrupt the proper functioning of immune cells, leading to immune diseases such as severe and recurrent infection, autoimmunity, allergies and malignancies. These discoveries have significantly advanced our understanding of human immunology and genetic disorders that impact the immune system.
To address diagnostic delays of patients with IEIs, Stuart established and leads the Clinical Immunogenomics Research Consortium Australasia (CIRCA), a multi-centre interdisciplinary collaboration representing Australia’s first patient-focused integrated immunogenomics program. Through CIRCA and the Garvan Institute, Stuart has discovered novel IEIs and broadened the clinical phenotype of known IEIs. This work has enabled targeted and improved therapies for many affected individuals. This remarkable advancement benefits Australians, particularly those in NSW, facing challenging diagnoses.
Stuart was awarded the 2011 Gottschalk Medal from the Australian Academy of Science, the President’s Award from the Clinical Immunology Society of North America (CIS), and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and of the CIS. Recognised as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher since 2018, he has over 280 peer-reviewed publications, more than 40,000 citations, and an h-index of 104.
Distinguished Professor Willy Susilo is a global leader in the field of cybersecurity, cryptology and information security. His research focuses on enhancing cybersecurity through innovative solutions and cryptographic algorithms, with applications in cloud computing, blockchain and enterprise systems. His pioneering work on post-quantum cryptography aims to secure data and transactions in the quantum computer era.
Willy's research has significantly impacted cybersecurity in NSW and Australia, benefiting key government bodies including the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Australian Signals Directorate and CSIRO. Global industry leaders such as Samsung, Gemalto and IBM have adopted his research outcomes, demonstrating the practical applications of his work.
His expertise enabled Tide, a Sydney-based company, to commercialise consumer data rights protection services, enhancing data security for consumers. Recognising his contributions, the NSW Government appointed Willy as an advisor to the iVote committee, securing technology-assisted voting for state elections.
Willy’s significant contributions to cybersecurity and cryptography have seen him elected as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Australian Computer Society, Institution of Engineering and Technology, and Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association. He was awarded the prestigious Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship in 2023, named Australian Field Leader in Cryptography multiple times between 2019 and 2023, and received the Computer Science in Australia Leader Award consecutively from 2022 to 2024.
His prolific career has produced over 700 publications, attracting over 27,000 citations with an h-index of 86. Willy’s research has been cited in over 65 international patents, demonstrating its substantial impact on industry.
Dr Ira Deveson is an early career researcher in clinical genomics dedicated to adopting novel genomic technologies to improve human health outcomes.
Ira has established strong networks with industry, clinical and academic collaborators, delivering nationally significant translation research outcomes. In 2020, he led research establishing sequencing methods for rapid SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance in NSW, adopted by public health teams nationwide, becoming a key tool in Australia’s COVID strategy.
Awarded a competitive Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant, Ira leveraged his expertise in long-read sequencing technologies and new analysis approaches to improve genetic disease diagnoses. Collaborating with the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, he sequenced the genomes of participants from remote Aboriginal communities, uncovering unique and previously undescribed genomic variation. This work aims to improve genetic disease diagnosis by expanding genetic reference databases and promoting more equitable outcomes from genomic medicine in Australia.
Ira’s work has resulted in 70 publications, attracting over 2,400 career citations and achieving an h-index of 21. As the senior author, his work has been published in prestigious journals such as Nature, Nature Communications and Nature Biotechnology, garnering significant recognition in the field.
As a chief investigator, Ira has secured over $28 million in competitive grant funding, including an MRFF Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant, MRFF Genomics Health Future Mission Grants, National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Grants and a Cancer Institute NSW Early Career Fellowship. This funding underscores the importance and potential impact of Ira's work and marks him as an emerging leader in clinical genomics.
Dr Jiayan Liao is an expert in nanotechnology, specialising in developing next-generation bioanalytical and imaging tools, as well as advanced detection techniques. She established techniques and protocols for high-performance nanoprobes, enabling high-precision single-molecule assays and multiplexed cancer biomarker testing at the nanoscale. Her innovative approaches are revolutionising early disease detection and monitoring.
Jiayan’s multidisciplinary research applies pioneering techniques to realise highly sensitive disease detection, establishing her as an emerging leader in the field with extensive networks across industry, clinical and academic domains. A notable contribution was leading the development of the photonics-based iStrip technology for SARS-CoV‑2 at Alcolizer Technology, which has significantly enhanced COVID-19 test reliability and speed. This breakthrough bolstered NSW's response to the pandemic and contributed to Australia’s overall COVID strategy, earning the 2022 KCA Award for Best New Invention and a Highly Commended 'External Impact' distinction in the 2021 Dean's Awards.
Additionally, Jiayan has formed partnerships with Australian small to medium enterprises such as SpeeDX and Minomic International Ltd, focusing on commercialising ultrasensitive single oligonucleotide molecule assays. This technology, known for its affordability and user-friendliness, has improved diagnostics for various diseases and has the potential to transform medical practices. Her collaboration with Mercy Hospital for Women and the University of Melbourne is advancing the rapid and precise detection of protein-coding genes from pregnant patients, further enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy.
Jiayan holds an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellowship and a UTS Chancellor's Research Fellowship. Her innovative work in early cancer detection was recognised with the 2023 NHMRC Bernie Banton Investigator Grant Award as the highest-ranked applicant, underscoring her leadership in biomedical research. With over 80 journal articles, a US patent, more than 1,500 citations and an h-index of 35 within just three years of receiving her PhD, Jiayan is a dynamic and innovative leader, driving significant advancements in nanotechnology, clinical genomics and diagnostics.
Professor Karu Esselle is a world leader in electromagnetic, antenna and radio frequency engineering. His pioneering work has significantly advanced the fields of telecommunications and defence.
Among his many research innovations is the 2023 Eureka Prize-winning ‘MetaSteering’, a novel antenna beam steering method that has been adopted worldwide by industry, governments and academics to solve challenges in telecommunications and defence systems.
Karu has also made substantial contributions to satellite communication technology. In collaboration with the NSW Telco Authority, a major satellite operator and two NSW small to medium enterprises, and supported by $2.6 million in funding from the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, he developed a unique, energy-efficient satellite communication terminal.
The Australian-invented-and-manufactured SATCOM user terminal is designed to close the digital divide in rural and regional NSW, enhancing quality of life by improving connectivity for communities, schools, hospitals, government services and small businesses. The terminal's ability to be transported, rapidly deployed and operated using renewable energy makes it essential for NSW Emergency Services, especially during crises when traditional power and communication infrastructure fail.
Karu is a Fellow of The Royal Society of New South Wales, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Engineers Australia. He was named Australia’s Professional Engineer of the Year 2022 and received the 2019 Motohisa Kanda Award for the most cited paper in the IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility. Karu has secured over $33 million in research grants and contracts and authored more than 750 publications with over 15,800 citations and an h-index of 61.
Dr Annette Cowie is a prominent climate scientist and policy advisor known for her cross-disciplinary research on climate change mitigation in the land sector. Internationally recognised as an authority in her field, Annette’s work balances production and environmental objectives, promoting sustainability and enhancing resilience to climate change and other shocks.
Annette’s research informs climate change policy at local, national and international levels, and supports the transition to a circular bio-economy. She leads pivotal projects, including an emissions reduction roadmap to support NSW’s Net Zero 2050 target, development of methods and standards for greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting for the land sector, and sustainable options for durable carbon dioxide removal using biochar.
Annette’s innovative leadership has significantly influenced climate change and land management policy in NSW and globally. She was a lead author on the seminal Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, including the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) and the Special Report on Climate Change and the Land. She co-leads an International Energy Agency Bioenergy research group and co-led the development of the Scientific Conceptual Framework for Land Degradation Neutrality, that underpins land management in over 130 countries.
Annette contributes to many cross-agency technical advisory and working groups at state, national and international levels. Her research has been applied in GHG accounting through the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme, international voluntary carbon market platforms, ISO standards and IPCC guidelines for national GHG inventories.
In the last decade, Annette has attracted over $15 million in research funding. She was recognised as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher from 2018 to 2020 and has published in prestigious journals such as Nature and Nature Climate Change, amassing over 27,000 citations and an h-index of 75.
Jodie Attenborough is a dedicated mathematics educator with a deep commitment to public education, particularly in rural and remote settings. Recognised for her innovative approach, Jodie creates accessible and engaging educational content that fosters a diverse and positive learning environment, enhancing student interest and participation.
Jodie has utilised her profound knowledge of mathematics curricula, assessment and pedagogy to transform the Numeracy Content Endorsed Course into an online platform for the Western Access Program. This initiative supports HSC students in rural and regional areas by offering specialised teaching resources online, significantly enhancing their numeracy skills and equipping them with essential problem-solving tools relevant to real-life situations.
Beyond the classroom, Jodie is a vital mentor and leader in professional development for educators, particularly through the NSW Mathematics Retraining Program. After her own retraining, her passion for teaching mathematics deepened, leading her to hold mentor sessions, team meetings and school visits that have notably improved engagement and results in regional and remote schools. She serves as a maths network leader, sharing resources and leading the 'Ask an Expert' platform within the Mathematics Statewide Classroom, supporting teachers from the Snowy Mountains to Sydney.
Jodie’s dedication to enhancing mathematics education is evident in her commitment to student engagement and success and the professional growth of teachers. Her innovative strategies and comprehensive resources have established her as an invaluable asset to Tottenham Central School and the broader educational community. Through her efforts, Jodie ensures that both students and teachers receive the robust support they need to excel in their educational endeavours.