Professor Nalini Joshi is a pioneering mathematician renowned for her transformative work in integrable systems. She introduced geometric and asymptotic methods to study nonlinear differential and difference equations, advancing understanding of singularity structures and critical models. Her research spans continuous and discrete systems, with applications from subatomic particle collisions to subway operations. Joshi was the first woman to hold the Chair of Applied Mathematics at the University of Sydney and served as Vice-President of the International Mathematical Union (2019–22). A passionate advocate for women and minorities in STEM, she co-founded the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program. Born in Burma, she moved to Australia in the 1970s, later earning her PhD at Princeton. With over 120 publications and $7 million in grants, she has mentored 30+ researchers and received numerous honours, including the George Szekeres Medal and Officer of the Order of Australia.

Professor Anita Ho-Baillie is a global leader in solar cell technology. She pioneered Australia’s first perovskite space cell research program, developing lightweight, radiation-tolerant cells up to 100 times thinner and more efficient than current alternatives. Her work demonstrated proton radiation-tolerant cells and advanced multi-junction perovskite designs suitable for space. In 2024, she achieved Australia’s first 30% efficient perovskite-silicon tandem cell, certified by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory—one of only eight worldwide at the time. Her innovations were launched aboard the CUAVA-2 satellite and the Waratah Seed mission, in partnership with her startup EurokaPower. Through these achievements, she has strengthened Australia’s sovereign space capability, fostered international collaboration, and trained future innovators. Recognised with awards including the Eureka Prize for Sustainability Research and Scientist of the Year, she has published nearly 200 papers with over 26,000 citations and an h-index of 74.

Professor Kaarin Anstey is a leading figure in cognitive ageing and dementia risk reduction. Through epidemiological studies and systematic reviews, Kaarin has identified key modifiable risk factors for dementia, such as obesity, smoking, alcohol use, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol in mid-life, adherence to the MIND diet, air pollution, and hypertension. Kaarin developed the Cognitive Health and Dementia Risk Assessment (CogDrisk) tool, now widely used in Australian primary care, with over 23,000 general practitioners trained since 2023. Kaarin has also led clinical trials focusing on interventions for those in preclinical stages of cognitive decline. Internationally, Kaarin Anstey has contributed to global dementia prevention efforts, including work with the World Dementia Council and the World Health Organisation. Kaarin has received prestigious awards, published over 570 works, and has an h-index of 116, reflecting significant impact in the field.

Dr Jennifer Matthews is an emerging leader in marine biochemistry whose research is reshaping coral conservation and climate resilience strategies. As Deputy Team Leader of the Future Reefs group at the University of Technology Sydney, she investigates coral nutrition and physiology, focusing on how climate change impacts marine ecosystems. Her work includes a major coral biodiversity mapping initiative with the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Traditional Owners, and citizen scientists, strengthening science-community connections. She has pioneered innovations such as the “Reef e-nose” for early stress detection and coral nanomedicines like a coral “baby food” that boosts reproductive success, with immediate applications in restoration and aquaculture. Matthews has secured over $3.4 million in competitive grants, including prestigious fellowships and international awards. A strong advocate for equity and inclusion, she dismantles barriers for people with hearing disabilities and is a celebrated science communicator. She has published 35 papers, with 1,400 citations and an h-index of 17.