A University of Adelaide professor who is helping to position South Australia as a hub for photonics and quantum innovation has been named the 2022 South Australian Innovator of the Year.
Professor Andre Luiten claimed the honour at the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards, which were announced at a gala dinner at the SA Film Corporation’s Glenside studios on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Dr Richard Lilly from the University’s National Exploration Undercover School (NExUS) was named the STEMM Educator of the Year – University or Registered Training Organisation.
Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Adelaide, congratulated both winners for their success.
“The University of Adelaide is extremely proud of the high level of ground-breaking research that our researchers produce,” Professor Middelberg said.
“Andre and Richard are leaders in their respective fields and are making important discoveries that will have real-world applications.
“It is vital that we continue to encourage and support quality research.”
Professor Luiten is the Director of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing.
He is also the Chair of Experimental Physics at the University of Adelaide and Managing Director and co-founder of SA company QuantX Labs.
Professor Luiten is a leader in precision measurement and he has been recognised with the Australian Institute of Physics’ Alan Walsh Medal for Service to Industry, and the prestigious Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia.
“ANDRE AND RICHARD ARE LEADERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS AND ARE MAKING IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES THAT WILL HAVE REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS. IT IS VITAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT QUALITY RESEARCH.”
-Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Adelaide
“As researchers, innovation is at the heart of everything we do,” Professor Luiten said.
“We aim to find new and improved ways to come up with solutions to everyday problems.
“I have been fortunate to work with an amazing team who deserve this recognition as much as I do.”
Dr Lilly co-founded and leads NExUS, which aims to provide advanced training for the most promising young geoscientists in Australia.
With more than 20 years’ experience as an exploration geologist, researcher and educator, Dr Lilly is a Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide and a Senior Advisor (Tertiary Engagement and Projects) for OZ Minerals.
Dr Lilly also assists in the engagement between the university sector and the minerals industry, and the discussion about the future of geoscience education in Australia.
Professor Maria Makrides, Theme Leader for South Australian Health Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Women and Deputy Director of SAHMRI, was named Scientist of the Year.
Professor Makrides leads a team working to improve the lives of pregnant women and young children through nutrition.
She is National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Principal Research Fellow and a Professor of Human Nutrition at the University of Adelaide.
For information about all the winners, visit https://www.scienceawards.sa.gov.au
