Movers and shakers
Movers and shakers is a regularly updated record of the honours received by ATSE Fellows.
2026
2026
Five ATSE Fellows recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours
June 2026
Professor Alex Baitch AM FTSE — For significant service to power systems engineering, and to electrotechnical standards.
Professor Attila Brungs AO FTSE — For distinguished service to tertiary education leadership, to research and innovation, and to social justice and equity.
Emeritus Professor Mark Bush AM FTSE — For significant service to engineering, to tertiary education, and to the community.
Andrew Greig AM FTSE — For significant service to the community through philanthropic initiatives.
Emeritus Professor Mark Wainwright AO FTSE — For distinguished service to the tertiary education administration, to academic research, to Australia-China relations, and to governance roles.
May 2026
Professor Eckard has been honoured with Cooperative Research Australia's 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his career bridging the gap between agricultural science and industry, delivering transformative and enduring impact across Australia’s innovation ecosystem.
May 2026
Professor Williams has been appointed CommBank’s first Chief AI Scientist as one of Australia's most internationally recognised AI researchers, with deep expertise spanning Agentic AI, human-AI collaboration and AI innovation.
Four ATSE Fellows elected to the Australian Academy of Science.
May 2026
Distinguished Professor Yun Liu FTSE FAA — Internationally recognised for pioneering contributions to materials chemistry and engineering.
Professor Huanting Wang FTSE FAA — Globally recognised for developing advanced membranes for clean water and sustainable separation technologies.
Dr Deborah Rathjen FTSE FAA — A highly respected leader whose work has helped shape Australia’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
Sally-Ann Williams FTSE FAA — An influential business and innovation leader championing deep technology, entrepreneurship and STEM inclusion.
April 2026
Dr Canadell has been named the individual category winner of the 2026 Malaspina Award by the Spanish Embassy in Canberra and the Association of Spanish Researchers in Australia-Pacific (SRAP), in recognition of his extensive research in the fight against climate change.
April 2026
Kerryn has been appointed to the Board of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
April 2026
Sue has been announced as the inaugural Chair of the Women’s Health Foundry.
February 2026
Dr Flapper has been appointed as Chair of the ACT Government Board of Engineering Excellence.
February 2026
Professor Clark has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering in recognition of his invention of the multi-channel cochlear implant, widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest bioengineering achievements.
January 2026
Professor Verspoor has been awarded a Distinguished Professorship at RMIT University in recognition of her excellence in research and academic leadership.
Five ATSE Fellows recognised in the 2026 Australia Day Honours.
January 2026
Professor Peter Cook AC CBE FTSE, one of Australia’s foremost earth scientists and climate innovators.
Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons AC FRS FTSE FAA, a globally recognised quantum computing and nanotechnology leader.
Distinguished Professor Saeid Nahavandi AO FTSE, a leading educator, robotics pioneer and Chair of ATSE’s Assembly governance group.
Professor Mark Cassidy AM FTSE FAA, research leader in geotechnical science, engineering and academia.
Dr Adrian (Adi) Paterson AM FTSE, long-time nuclear technologist and advocate for diversity in STEM.
January 2026
Professor Bhaskaran has been awarded a Distinguished Professorship at RMIT University in recognition of her excellence in research and academic leadership.
January 2026
Professor Bhargava has been awarded a renewal of his Distinguished Professorship at RMIT University in recognition of his excellence in research and academic leadership.
2025
2025
December 2025
Professor Lu has been elected as an International Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences in recognition of his exceptional leadership and impact in engineering and technological sciences.
November 2025
Professor Gamage has been inducted as an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) in recognition of his contributions to sustainable subsurface engineering, geothermal energy, CO₂-based technologies and critical mineral recovery.
November 2025
The launch of Professor Duan’s ARC NetZero Hub, which is dedicated to transforming how infrastructure is designed, built, and maintained, with a mission to drive low-carbon innovation across every stage of the infrastructure pipeline.
November 2025
Professor Tam has been awarded this year’s NSW Premier's Prize for Excellence in Engineering or Information and Communications Technology at the 2025 Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering. She is recognised for her innovative work in sustainable construction technologies that convert waste into high-grade resources to combat the climate crisis and build a low-carbon, circular economy.
November 2025
Professor Dixon has been named the 2026 Western Australia Senior Australian of the Year. A world-leading botanist, he has been recognised for his lifelong dedication to science that has transformed Australian native plant conservation. As the Foundation Director of Science at Perth’s Kings Park and Botanic Garden, he helped grow a small research unit into one of the world’s top five botanic garden-based science centres.
November 2025
Professor Klinken has been inducted into the Western Australia Science Hall of Fame at the Premier's Science Awards. He is recognised for his exceptional leadership and lifelong contribution to advancing science and improving the lives of people across Western Australia.
November 2025
Katherine has been named as the 2026 Australian of the Year for South Australia. Katherine made history in 2024 as Australia’s first qualified astronaut proudly flying under the Australian flag.
November 2025
Professor Langton has been awarded the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia’s Rechnitz Memorial Award recognising excellence in research leadership and advancement of knowledge of Indigenous society, culture and language.
November 2025
Professor Robin Batterham, ex-ATSE President and namesake of the Batterham Medal for Engineering Excellence, has been awarded the Peter Nicol Russell Memorial Medal from Engineers Australia, their highest award for career achievement in engineering.
November 2025
Professor Morawska has been awarded Australia’s most prestigious science honour, the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, in recognition of her expertise in air quality and its impact on human health and the environment. Her pioneering research has fundamentally reshaped global understanding of air pollution and airborne disease transmission, informing evidence-based policies that protect communities worldwide.
October 2025
Professor Blackhall has been recognised with the 2025 ACT Chief Minister's Pearcey Entrepreneur Award for his leadership in advancing renewable energy systems, particularly innovations in battery storage and grid integration.
October 2025
Professor Lambert has been honoured with Monash University’s inaugural Engineering Impact Award, recognising his outstanding contributions to the field of engineering.
October 2025
Professor Green, globally regarded as the father of modern photovoltaics, has been awarded the prestigious Faraday Medal by the UK’s Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). The honour recognises his extraordinary contributions in revolutionising solar power, transforming it from a costly, niche innovation into the world’s most affordable and scalable source of clean energy.
October 2025
Romilly has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering (honoris causa) by the University of Sydney, recognising her exceptional contributions to engineering, sustainable development, and leadership in the built environment.
September 2025
Professor Michael Milford FTSE has been awarded the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Researchers at the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes for his outstanding mentoring of researchers.
September 2025
Professor Thomas Maschmeyer AO FTSE FAA has been awarded the Eureka Prize for Societal Impact in Science at the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes for his development of a scalable technology that converts biomass and mixed plastics into sustainable aviation fuels and chemicals for the circular economy.
September 2025
Distinguished Professor Saeid Nahavandi has been awarded the Ray Page Lifetime Simulation Achievement Award at the Australasia Simnulation Congress for 2025, recognising his professional and research contributions to the advancement of modelling and simulation in Australia and New Zealand.
August 2025
Dr Pearce has been appointed to the new Western Australia Science and Technology Council, helping drive the state’s future growth in science and innovation.
August 2025
Professor Siddique has been appointed to the new Western Australia Science and Technology Council, helping drive the state’s future growth in science and innovation.
June 2025
Professor Gamage honoured with the Humboldt Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Berlin. As part of this award, he will be spending time at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, collaborating on the development of clean renewable energy systems advancing clean energy solutions and addressing climate challenges in both Australia and Germany.
July 2025
Professor Hampson has been awarded the title of John Curtin Distinguished Professor — Curtin University’s highest academic honour, recognising outstanding leadership, achievement and impact.
May 2025
Professor Brian Uy has been endorsed by the Council of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) to serve as its 105th President in 2026.
Brian’s leadership journey with IStructE spans more than a decade — currently President-Elect for 2025, he previously served as Vice President (Australasia and South-East Asia) from 2022 to 2024 and chaired the Australian Regional Group from 2012 to 2021.
Brian’s leadership journey with IStructE spans more than a decade — currently President-Elect for 2025, he previously served as Vice President (Australasia and South-East Asia) from 2022 to 2024 and chaired the Australian Regional Group from 2012 to 2021.
June 2025
Professor Zhao has been awarded a 2025 Laureate Fellowship to develop a new class of water-splitting devices to produce green hydrogen without fossil fuels.
June 2025
Professor Duan has been awarded a 2025 Laureate Fellowship to transform concrete into a material that actively captures and stores carbon dioxide, helping mitigate climate change.
June 2025
Professor Siddique has been awarded a Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by his alma mater, acknowledging his outstanding contribution to global agricultural science, capacity building and academic leadership.
June 2025
Professor Simmons joins the Southern Cross University Council bringing more than 20 years of experience in higher education to the council.
May 2025
Professor Fitzpatrick was awarded the inaugural Raymond Murray Medal by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) in recognition of distinguished international contributions to Forensic Geology at the 2025 Forensic Geology Conference in Rome on 21st May.
Six ATSE Fellows elected to the Australian Academy of Science
May 2025
Dr Pep Canadell FTSE FAA – an eminent world authority on biogeochemistry and the global carbon cycle.
Professor Xiaojing Hao FTSE FAA – a world expert in solar technology, who has helped establish Australia’s global leadership in this field.
Professor Mark Howden FTSE FAA – a global leader in climate change science.
Dr Marlene Kanga AO FTSE FAA – a trailblazing engineer and advocate for diversity in STEM.
Professor Anthony Weiss AM FTSE FAA FAHMS – a biomedical innovator known for breakthroughs in regenerative medicine and biotechnology.
Dr Andrew Nash FTSE FAA – a global leader in biopharmaceuticals.
May 2025
Professor Selomulya has been appointed as the Head of the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
May 2025
Professor Corke has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award for his contributions to robotics education.
May 2025
Professor Park has been recognised as Universities Australia's 2024 National Problem Solver in the Shaping Australia Awards for his pivotal role in developing resistance to cereal fungus, known as 'rust', and its contribution to the Australian economy.
May 2025
Professor Tobar has been awarded the 2025 IFCS C.B. Sawyer Award in recognition of his pioneering work in developing and characterising low-noise, high-Q resonators and sensors — and their application in testing fundamental physics.
May 2025
Professor Siddique has been announced as the recipient of the 2024 Crawford Fund Medal. This prestigious honour recognises his outstanding contribution to agricultural research, education and leadership over more than 35 years — both in Australia and globally — with a strong focus on advancing international agricultural research for development.
April 2025
Distinguished Professor Buddhima Indraratna from the University of Technology Sydney, an expert in civil engineering, has been inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW.
April 2025
Dr Marlene Kanga was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering from the University of New South Wales in recognition of her eminent service in advancing global engineering standards, engineering leadership, promoting diversity, ethical practices, and sustainable development.
April 2025
Professor Tobar was awarded the European Frequency and Time Award in recognition of oustanding contributions to the development of precision frequency and measurement technology and its application to oscillators, clocks, precision sensing and testing fundamental physics.
April 2025
Professor Zreiqat has been inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows 2025.
March 2025
Sue MacLeman has been named the new Chair of Medicines Australia. A member of ATSE's Board, Sue has more than 30 years' experience as a pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology executive having held senior roles across Australia’s corporate and life sciences sector.
March 2025
Professor Gamage has been recognised as a Fulbright Senior Scholar, in support of his innovative work to advance next-generation mineral recovery technology. His research focuses on developing innovative, low-energy and waste-free rock-breaking methods to support the critical mineral supply chain.
March 2025
Dr Achariya has been appointed as a Board Director of Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA), bringing her valuable expertise and leadership to the organisation.
February 2025
Professor Weiss has been awarded a $3 million Investigator Grant by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to investigate innovative approaches to repair soft-tissue damage in critical organs.
February 2024
Professor O'Kane appointed as the interim Chief Commissioner of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission.
February 2025
Professor Glover appointed to the interim Australian Tertiary Education Commission.
February 2025
Dr Foley has been named as the national recipient of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership. She is recognised for her contribution as a trailblazer for women and girls in STEM.
February 2025
Louise has been appointed as Aurecon’s CEO, succeeding William Cox FTSE from 1 July 2025. Her appointment reflects her outstanding track record of building an engaged culture, delivering strong financial performance and excellence in client services.
February 2025
Drew has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by ANU in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public policy and administration in Australia.
February 2025
Professor Batstone to join the Royal Society of Victoria's Governing Council for a two-year term, commencing in May 2025.
February 2025
Dr Keay has been appointed as the Director of the UNSW AI Institute.
January 2025
Dr Oppermann has been appointed to the WA Government’s new AI Advisory Board for his extensive experience as the former NSW Government Chief Data Scientist and his leadership in AI, data science and digital transformation.
January 2025
Professor Haymet has been appointed as Australia's Chief Scientist. He is a highly regarded Fellow within ATSE, a global leader in ocean research and an advocate for Australian science and research capability and infrastructure.
January 2025
Professor Blakers has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for outstanding contributions to solar cell development and advocacy for energy storage & renewables.
January 2025
Professor Fox has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration, scientific research & development, advanced manufacturing and tertiary education.
January 2025
Professor Sahajwalla has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for outstanding contributions to engineering, sustainable materials research and technology & waste management.
January 2025
Professor Rayner has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to pharmacology in a range of roles and organisations.
January 2025
Professor Moore has been awarded the Jackson-Gwilt Medal at the Royal Astronomical Society Awards 2025. The medal recognises outstanding invention, improvement, or development of astronomical or geophysical instrumentation or techniques.
2024
2024
November 2024
Professor Scott has been elected as an Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia for his contributions to the aerospace engineering profession, adherence to the highest technical and professional standards and dedicated service to the Australian engineering community.
December 2024
Professor McLaughlin has been elected as a Fellow of the US National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for his exceptional contributions to innovation, economic development and societal well-being.
December 2024
Professor Ringer awarded $999,829 through the Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund – Strategic Element from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, delivered by ATSE in collaboration with the Australian Academy of Science.
December 2024
Professor Amal awarded $749,600 through the Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund – Strategic Element from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, delivered by ATSE in collaboration with the Australian Academy of Science.
December 2024
Professor Ngo awarded $599,445 through the Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund – Strategic Element from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, delivered by ATSE in collaboration with the Australian Academy of Science.
December 2024
Professor Punyadeera successfully secured an Australian Research Council Discovery Project Grant as Chief Investigator B lead by Charles Sturt University for the project entitled: Capturing elusive bionanoparticles via oscillating field induced convection.
December 2024
Professor Lu has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Wollongong.
December 2024
Dr Cleugh has been awarded the Morton Medal for 2024 by the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society.
December 2024
Professor Tam was awarded the Scientific Research Award at the Women of Colour in STEM Awards 2024.
December 2024
Professor Punyadeera was awarded the Innovator Award at the Women of Colour in STEM Awards 2024.
December 2024
Professor Keith Hampson was elected an international Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA).
December 2024
Professor Svetha Venkatesh, Distinguished Professor and co-director at the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute, Deakin University was awarded the 2024 Pearcey Medal and inducted into the Pearcey Hall of Fame.
The Pearcey Medal is an individual award that recognises a distinguished lifetime of achievement and contribution to the development and growth of the Australian ICT industry and has been awarded annually by the Pearcey Foundation since 1998.
The Pearcey Medal is an individual award that recognises a distinguished lifetime of achievement and contribution to the development and growth of the Australian ICT industry and has been awarded annually by the Pearcey Foundation since 1998.
November 2024
Dr Marlene Kanga was awarded the Peter Nicol Russell Medal at the 2024 Engineers Australia Excellence Awards.
A few days later, Marlene also received the International Distinction Award from the Order of Engineers of Portugal.
A few days later, Marlene also received the International Distinction Award from the Order of Engineers of Portugal.
November 2024
Louise Adams, Chief Operating Officer at Aurecon, has been named to the inaugural Advisory Board of the ASEAN-Australia Centre.
November 2024
Sarah Pearson has been named the next Chancellor of the University of New England
November 2024
Douglas MacFarlane has been reappointed as a Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor at Monash University in recognition of his constant drive to innovate in renewable energy technologies and sustainable energy solutions.
November 2024
Thas Nirmalathas has been named Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne.
November 2024
Professor Bell has been named a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences.
October 2024
Adjunct Professor Rayner has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
October 2024
Professor Wilks has been honoured with the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation.
September 2024
Professor Sahajwalla has been appointed to Science & Technology Australia's Bench-to-Boardroom Committee.
September 2024
Leeanne has been announced as a finalist for the Business Excellence and Leadership Award for the MBA Australasia Awards 2024.
September 2024
Professor Emma Johnston has been announced as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.
September 2024
Professor Michael Tobar has been awarded the Massey Medal of the Australian Institute of Physics.
September 2024
Dist. Professor Indraratna has been honoured as the Civil College Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year at the Engineers Australia Excellence Awards.
September 2024
Professor Foster has been awarded the Structural College John Connell Gold Medal at the Engineers Australia Excellence Awards.
AO FTSE FAA PSM
Dr Cathy Foley AO FTSE FAA PSM has been appointed to lead an expert methane reporting panel for the Federal Government.
Professor Gus Nathan FTSE was recognised with an Enduring Industry-Research Collaboration award at Cooperative Research Australia’s (CRA) annual Collaborate Innovate Conference.
AC FRS FTSE FAA
Professor Brian Schmidt AC FRS FTSE FAA has been appointed President-Elect of the International Astronomical Union.
FTSE
Dr Flapper has been named a Board Member of the ACT Board of Engineering Excellence and a Deputy Board Member of the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority.
Professor Cordelia Selomulya has been elected a Fellow of US-based Institute of Food Technologists for significant service, leadership, and contributions to food science and engineering. Election to the Institute of Food Technologists is one of the highest honours in the science of food community.
FTSE FAICD
Leeanne Bond has been appointed as the chair of the Queensland Energy System Advisory Board.
FTSE
Sally-Ann Williams has been named on the Board of the Australian Research Council.
AO FTSE
Emeritus Professor Andrews has been honoured as a 2024 Queensland Great.
FTSE FAA
Professor Sahajwalla will deliver the 2024 annual Ann Moyal Lecture titled "A smart vision for a sustainable future".
AO FTSE FAA
Scientia Professor and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT)
Scientia Professor and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT)
Veena Sahajwalla is an exceptional, innovative engineer with an established record of successful conversions of research to high value products.
Professor Anthony Weiss AM FTSE
Has received the Lemberg Medal and Lecture, given by the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Professor McArthur has been elected as a Fellow of the International Biomaterials Science & Engineering Society.
AM FTSE FAICD
Dr Hillyard has been appointed to the board of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI).
Professor Gamage was named a Foreign Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
Professor Bronwyn Fox FTSE appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise at University of New South Wales.
Scientia Professor John Gooding FTSE received $3.7 million funding from the Australian Research Council.
Professor Chien Ming Wang FTSE has been elected to the European Academy of Science and Arts.
FTSE
Kirsten Rose FTSE has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Executive of CSIRO.
FTSE FAA
Professor Craig Simmons FTSE FAA has been appointed as the Chief Scientist for South Australia.
AM FTSE
Professor Weiss has been awarded the 2024 Academy of Science Ian Wark Medal and Lecture.
FTSE FAA
Professor Justin Gooding FTSE FAA has been awarded the 2024 Academy of Science David Craig Medal and Lecture.
FTSE
Dr Nick Austin FTSE has been appointed as the President of the Policy Advisory Council for the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
AO FTSE
David Thodey AO FTSE has been announced as the next Chancellor of the University of Sydney.
FTSE
Mikaela Jade FTSE’s submission into the 2024 international CAETS Communication Prize has been selected as Australia’s lead entrant to represent Australian technological science and engineering innovation on the world stage.
AC FTSE
Professor Mary O’Kane AC FTSE has been appointed as the Independent Chair of the AEMO Board, commencing 2 April 2024.
FTSE
Dr Lachlan Blackhall FTSE has been appointed as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) at The Australian National University.
Professor Salah Sukkarieh FTSE inducted as a Fellow of the IEEE Robotics and Automation society.
AC FTSE FAA
Professor Tanya Monro AC FAA FTSE has been formally elected as an International Member of the United States National Academy of Engineering.
Martin Green, Emma Johnston, Thomas Maschmeyer, Veena Sahajwalla, Michelle Simmons, Gordon Wallace, Graeme Clark, Gustav Nossal, Svetha Venkatesh, Ian Frazer, Ian Lowe, Helene Marsh, Peter Newman, Basil Hetzel, Tanya Monro, Mark Oliphant, Genevieve Bell, Liz Dennis, Jagadish Chennupati, Jim Peacock, Brian Schmidt, Bob May, David Henry Solomon, Alan Trounson, Lyn Beazley and Andrew Blakers
26 ATSE Fellows named in the Top100 Australian Scientists list.
Catherine Brighid Livingstone, David Vernon Boger, Robin William King, Cynthia Alison Mitchell, Michael John Eyles, Buddhima Indraratna, James Richard May, John Alan Ramshaw and Jan Maree Tennent
9 ATSE Fellows were recognised for outstanding achievements in the Australia Day 2024 Honours.
FTSE
Dr Sangeeta Bhatia FTSE was elected as a Fellow at the Academy of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in January.
FTSE FAA
Professor Mark Cassidy FTSE FAA has been appointed as the new Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at the University of Melbourne and stepped in his new role on 1 January.
