Top Australian inventors honoured in ATSE awards

Six outstanding Australian researchers and innovators have been recognised for their world-leading contributions across health, nanotechnology, digital innovation, sustainability and Indigenous genomics.

The 2025 winners of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s (ATSE) annual awards, announced in Adelaide this evening, represent the very best of Australia’s scientific and engineering excellence, each driving breakthroughs that deliver real-world impact.

“Together, these extraordinary individuals demonstrate the power of science, technology and engineering to shape a healthier and more sustainable future for Australia and the world”, said ATSE President, Dr Katherine Woodthorpe.

“From life-saving medical devices to world-first environmental leadership, our award winners show how Aussie innovation can deliver global impact.

“Congratulations to all our award winners – through your leadership and creativity, you’re demonstrating how applied science, technology and engineering are making Australian lives better.”

 Professor Shaun Gregory, winner of the Batterham Medal, is developing world-leading artificial heart technology – implantable devices that respond to the patient’s body and can offer a more long-term solution for patients than previous technologies. He also launched the Heart Hackathon, where student teams from around the world design and develop prototype artificial hearts.

Associate Professor Noushin Nasiri, winner of the David and Valerie Solomon Medal, has developed groundbreaking nanotechnology and nanosensing innovations such as SunWatch, a watch that measures how much UV is absorbed by someone’s skin and can help prevent skin cancer, and the NanoElectronic Nose, a sensor that can detect disease in someone’s breath, which can help detect disease early and in a less invasive way.

Zachary Di Pietro, winner of the Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship, is a PhD student at the University of Newcastle who is developing new low-friction polymer coatings, which can help make more reliable, durable and energy-efficient medical devices, machinery used in transport, and more.

Professor Lei Zhang, joint winner of the Clunies Ross Technology Innovation Award, has developed and commercialised AI-assisted tools for STI and cervical cancer screening and shaped international health practices.

Professor Andrew Harris, joint winner of the Clunies Ross Technology Innovation Award, is one of Australia’s most prolific academic entrepreneurs, who has worked on innovations including making paper from straw rather than wood pulp, a low-cost means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from underground coal mines by 90 percent, and a process of 'farming' minerals using plants.

Associate Professor Azure Hermes, winner of the Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award and a proud Gimuy Walubara Yidinji woman and Deputy Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, is recognised for her national leadership in culturally safe genomics. Her work includes developing culturally safe resources for people experiencing a rare disease, strengthening trust between science and community.

Dr David Cook, winner of the ATSE President's Medal for 2025, is celebrated this year in recognition of his efforts to modernise the Fellowship elections. He is a former member of the ATSE Council, Board and Vice-President Membership. He has reviewed hundreds of Fellowship nominations over more than 13 years involved in the Fellow election process. He played an instrumental role in helping modernise and improve the processes for the election of new Fellows, thereby helping to shepherd in a new era of diverse, talented and impactful Fellows into the Academy.