May 26, 2022
The new fellows of 2022.
A champion of Indigenous health and a pioneering astrophysicist are among the 22 Australians recognized for their outstanding contributions to science by being elected members of the Australian Academy of Sciences.
Professor Tom Calma AO, Rector of the University of Canberra, has been elected to advocate for the improvement of the health, education and justice of indigenous peoples for more than 45 years. His work continues to have a lasting impact on public discourse in Australia and beyond.
Professor Calma is the first scholarship holder elected to the Academy to be identified as Aboriginal. He is a descendant of the Kungarakan and Iwaidja tribal groups, whose traditional lands are located southwest of Darwin and the Cobourg Peninsula in the Northern Territory.
Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths has been recognized for advancing our understanding of how our own galaxy and its neighbors evolved, including the creation of a model that demonstrates the existence of a new spiral arm of the Milky Way. .
He has helped design several radio telescope facilities, including CSIRO’s ASKAP and planned global SKA, and his leadership has been instrumental in high-resolution sky observation surveys.
Professor McClure-Griffiths’ detailed atlases of atomic hydrogen in our galaxy are used by astronomers and astrophysicists around the world.
It brings together 20 leading researchers from across Australian science, including experts on fragile river ecosystems, clean energy technologies and Australian native animal genomes.
Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC, who is taking over the presidency of the Australian Academy of Sciences today, congratulated the new fellows on their contributions to science.
“Fellows from the Australian Academy of Sciences are among the country’s most distinguished scientists, chosen by their peers for innovative research and contributions that have had a clear impact,” said Professor Jagadish.
“The Academy’s efforts to improve gender diversity among our fellowships are succeeding. This year’s fellows include 50% women and 50% men, the first time in the history of the Academy that gender parity is achieved in the annual election of new fellows.
“This has been achieved by taking a number of steps to improve our nomination process and increase the chances of recognizing all scientists. Our work to improve diversity among our community continues.
“We reflect a diverse and inclusive scientific community that recognizes the widest range of talent, background, perspectives and experiences, and unites our contribution and commitment to scientific excellence,” said Professor Jagadish.
The new scholarship holders of the Academy for 2022 are:
ACT
- Thomas Calma – Rector, University of Canberra
- Naomi McClure-Griffiths – Astronomer, National University of Australia
- Ute Roessner – Plant Scientist, National University of Australia
NSW
- Katherine Belov – Biologist, University of Sydney
- Marcela Bilek – Physics, University of Sydney
- John Cannon – pure mathematician, University of Sydney
- Catherine Greenhill – Pure Mathematics, UNSW Sydney
- Michelle Haber – Childhood Cancer Scientist, UNSW Sydney
- Emma Johnston – Marine Ecologist, UNSW Sydney
- Albert Zomaya – Computer Science, University of Sydney
QLD
- Stuart Bunn – freshwater ecologist, Griffith University
- Janice Lough – Climate Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Sciences
- Sarah Medland – Statistical Geneticist, QIMR Berghofer Institute for Medical Research
- Huijun Zhao – Chemist, Griffith University
VIC
- Matthew Bailes – Astrophysicist, Swinburne University of Technology
- Kate Smith-Miles – Applied Mathematics, University of Melbourne
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- Peter Høj – Vice Chancellor of the University of Adelaide
- Timothy Hughes – Hematologist, South Australian Institute of Medical Research and Health
- Peter Langridge – Agricultural Researcher, University of Adelaide
- Craig Simmons – Groundwater Scientist, Flinders University
TAS
- Elizabeth Fulton – Ecosystem Modeler, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere
WA
- Jonathan Carapetis – Pediatrician, Telethon Kids Institute
Learn more about our 2022 Fellows.
Two Corresponding Members are also admitted to the Academy. The corresponding new members for 2022 are:
- Professor Anne Dell – Biochemistry, Imperial College London
- Professor Lei Jiang – Chemist and Materials Scientist, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Corresponding membership is a special category within the fellowship, which includes eminent international scientists with strong ties to Australia who have made outstanding contributions to science. There are currently 34 corresponding members of the Academy.
More information
Following the 2022 election of our new fellows, the scholarship now stands at 590 fellows.
New 2022 Fellows will present their work and achievements at Science at the Shine Dome on November 23rd. This is the Academy’s annual flagship event where Australia’s most influential scientists come together to celebrate science and honor outstanding achievements in science.
The Australian Academy of Sciences was founded in 1954 by Australian Fellows of the Royal Society of London, with the distinguished physicist Sir Mark Oliphant as its founding president.
Learn more about the criteria for regular and special elections at the Academy and how to nominate a scientist for the scholarship.