In a landmark recognition for a field that often operates behind the scenes, Indian-origin mathematician Professor Nalini Joshi has been named the New South Wales Scientist of the Year for 2024. This prestigious award marks the first time a mathematician has received the state's highest scientific honour, bringing the silent, foundational power of mathematics into the public spotlight.
From Sydney's Fort Street to Global Mathematical Leadership
Nalini Joshi's academic foundation was laid at Sydney's renowned Fort Street High School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Sydney in 1980. Her pursuit of mathematical excellence then took her to Princeton University, where she earned her PhD under the guidance of the legendary mathematical physicist Martin David Kruskal.
Her doctoral work on The Connection Problem for the First and Second Painlevé Transcendents established her expertise in the complex world of integrable systems and nonlinear equations. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the Australian National University in 1987, she built a distinguished career, joining the University of New South Wales in 1990.
In a historic appointment, Joshi returned to the University of Sydney in 2002 as the Chair of Applied Mathematics, becoming the first woman appointed Professor of Mathematics at the institution. She has since held key leadership roles, including Director of the Centre for Mathematical Biology and Head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics.
Bridging Abstract Theory and Real-World Impact
At the core of Joshi's research are integrable systems—equations that model chaotic, real-world phenomena like turbulence, optical fibre communications, and climate patterns. Her work provides the mathematical backbone for critical technologies, including the fibre-optic cables that power the global internet and the advanced models used for climate simulation and forecasting.
In recent years, Joshi has focused on one of the most urgent technological frontiers: quantum computing and cryptography. She has been a vocal advocate for preparedness, warning that current encryption methods protecting everything from online banking to government communications are vulnerable to future quantum computers. She stresses that Australia must invest heavily in post-quantum cryptography research now to safeguard its digital future.
A Champion for Equity in Science
The award also celebrates Joshi's profound influence as a mentor and advocate for systemic change. In 2015, she co-founded and co-chaired Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), a pioneering initiative that uses the Athena SWAN framework to promote and retain women in STEM fields. Her evidence-based advocacy has helped reshape national conversations on gender equity in Australian academia.
The decision to honour a mathematician as NSW Scientist of the Year is a significant shift. It acknowledges that in an era defined by digital vulnerability and climate crisis, mathematics is not just a supporting tool but central strategic infrastructure. Nalini Joshi's career—spanning abstract theory, technological application, and policy advocacy—powerfully embodies this truth. By recognising her, the award finally illuminates the quiet discipline that holds our modern world together.
