Professor Nalini Joshi AO has been honoured with the 2025 NSW Scientist of the Year Award, becoming the first mathematician to receive the state’s highest recognition for scientific excellence. The award was presented at Government House, Sydney, during the NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science.
A globally acclaimed mathematician, Professor Joshi is renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to integrable systems and for advancing public understanding of mathematics. She was the first woman appointed Professor of Mathematics at the University of Sydney and currently serves as Chair of Applied Mathematics. Her current work focuses on the critical global challenge of quantum cryptography, highlighting the cybersecurity risks and opportunities emerging from quantum computing.
A University of Sydney alumna and Princeton PhD graduate, Professor Joshi’s distinguished career includes serving as the first Australian Vice-President of the International Mathematical Union, being elected an honorary member of the London Mathematical Society, and holding fellowships with the Australian Academy of Science. She became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016 and received the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentorship of Young Researchers in 2018. Widely recognised as an advocate for women and minority groups in STEM, she continues to mentor and inspire future leaders in mathematics.
The NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science also celebrated two other University of Sydney academics:
1) Professor Anita Ho-Baillie, John Hooke Chair of Nanoscience, who received the NSW Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry or Physics.
2) Professor Paul Keall, Professor of Medical Physics, awarded the NSW Premier’s Prize for Leadership in Innovation in NSW.
Together, the honourees reflect the strength of Australia’s scientific community and its global contribution to innovation, research, and future technologies.