In a historic first for the field of mathematics, Professor Nalini Joshi, a globally respected mathematician of Indian origin, has been named the 2025 NSW Scientist of the Year. This prestigious award marks the first time a mathematician has received New South Wales's highest scientific honour.
A Landmark Achievement at Government House
The award was presented to Professor Joshi at the NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science ceremony, held at Government House in Sydney. This recognition firmly places her at the forefront of scientific achievement in the state and powerfully underscores the critical role of mathematics in solving future technological challenges.
Currently the Chair of Applied Mathematics at the University of Sydney, Joshi is a world leader in the study of integrable systems. She also holds a historic place as the first woman to be appointed Professor of Mathematics at the same prestigious university.
Securing Our Quantum Future
Professor Joshi's current research tackles one of the most pressing issues of the digital age: quantum cryptography. While quantum computers promise to revolutionise areas like drug design and materials science, they also represent a severe threat to current cybersecurity systems that protect everything from financial transactions to national security.
She has issued a stark warning that governments and industries are largely unprepared for this imminent shift. Drawing a parallel to the rapid adoption of smartphones, Joshi stated, "Twenty years ago we didn’t have smartphones. Now we rely on them for almost every part of our lives. In 20 years, we will be walking around with quantum-enabled devices filled with quantum money. But our industry base has very little knowledge of how to protect us in that future."
Highlighting a critical skills shortage, she pointed out that Australia has less than a dozen citizens with the expertise needed to navigate this quantum future. "Mathematics is central to secure our quantum future," she emphasised in a statement released by the University of Sydney.
A Legacy of Excellence and Advocacy
Professor Nalini Joshi's accolades are both national and international. Her distinguished career includes serving as the first Australian Vice-President of the International Mathematical Union from 2019 to 2022. She is an honorary member of the London Mathematical Society, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016 for her services to mathematics.
An alumnus of the University of Sydney and a University Medallist, Joshi completed her doctorate at Princeton University. Beyond her groundbreaking research, she is a passionate advocate for mathematics, women, and minority groups in STEM, and is renowned for mentoring young researchers—an effort for which she received the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentorship of Young Researchers in 2018.
The 2025 Premier’s Prizes for Science also honoured two other academics from the University of Sydney. Professor Anita Ho-Baillie received the NSW Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry or Physics, while Professor Paul Keall was awarded the NSW Premier’s Prize for Leadership in Innovation in NSW.
