The Eureka Prizes, presented by the Australian Museum, recognise outstanding contributions in research & innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science. Among the 19 winners nationally, several from NSW stood out—not just for their world-class work, but also for their potential to impact local communities, environments, and industries. Here are some of the most notable NSW stories from this year’s Eureka Prizes.
“The 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes celebrate the very best of Australian science across an extraordinary range of fields. For 35 years, the awards have recognised the talent, creativity and collaboration that drive discovery and deliver solutions for our world. These awards remind us not only of the importance of science to Australia’s future, but also of the global impact our researchers, communicators and students make.”
Kim McKay AO (Australian Museum Director & CEO)
Key Winners from NSW
Living Seawalls (Macquarie University; UNSW; Sydney Institute of Marine Science)
Prize: NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Eureka Prize for Environmental Research
This project transforms concrete marine infrastructure by installing modules shaped to mimic natural shoreline features. In the experiment in Sydney Harbour, these modules attracted nearly 115 species—about 20% more than ordinary seawalls. The implication is powerful: we can enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and build climate resilience through design changes in everyday built environments.
The Fission Chips Team (Macquarie University, led by Associate Professor Noushin Nasiri)
Prize: ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology
They developed a low-temperature joining technique (using non-toxic vinegar) to create nanosensors. These devices are cheaper and more efficient, with applications ranging from health monitoring (skin cancer risk) to livestock gestation tracking. This kind of tech can make sensor-based diagnostics more accessible.
Dr Hasindu Gamaarachchi (UNSW and Garvan Institute of Medical Research)
Prize: Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher
Dr Gamaarachchi is making genomic sequencing more accessible, scalable, and computationally efficient. Genomics is increasingly central in agriculture, ecology, medicine—so improving access and efficiency has ripple effects in many fields.
Professor Anita Ho-Baillie (University of Sydney)
Prize: University of Sydney Eureka Prize for Sustainability Research
Her work on solar cells—especially combining multiple semiconductor materials (like metal halide perovskites)—has pushed solar conversion efficiency from ~30% toward 40%. She also addressed major challenges of thermal and moisture stability in these materials. This is a big step toward making high-efficiency solar energy practical in the real world.
Dr Aaron Eger (UNSW and Kelp Forest Alliance)
Prize: Emerging Leader in Science
Dr Eger is a global voice for underwater kelp forests, often overlooked but vital ecosystems. He founded the Kelp Forest Alliance, which brings together 340 organisations in 25 countries. In NSW and more broadly, his leadership signals growing attention to marine ecosystems—not just corals and reefs—but kelp as a keystone in coastal resilience and biodiversity.
Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen (Macquarie University)
Prize: Leadership in Science
Paulsen has been instrumental in building up synthetic biology in Australia. He leads the Australian Genome Foundry and an ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology. His work has spun-out nine start-ups that have pulled in over $200 million in venture capital. NSW benefits both in terms of scientific capability and in creating high-tech economic opportunities.
Professor Thomas Maschmeyer (University of Sydney)
Prize: UNSW Eureka Prize for Societal Impact of Science
Maschmeyer has developed processes to convert biomass and mixed plastics into sustainable aviation fuels and useful chemicals, thereby reducing waste and carbon emissions. The approach is circular, aiming to turn pollution into something valuable. For NSW, that has implications in waste management, industry transformation, and setting an example for sustainable practices.
Dr Vanessa Pirotta (Macquarie University)
Prize: Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science
Dr Pirotta is a wildlife scientist, communicator and author. She is known for her ability to make science accessible—bridging from young children (e.g. Play School) to political decision-makers. Her work includes citizen science programs (notably Wild Sydney Harbour), integrating First Nations knowledge, and using science communication via media, schools and public engagement to help Australians of all ages make informed decisions about marine ecosystems.
Student Winners: PLC Sydney & St Philip’s Christian College
Keira, Year 3 student at PLC Sydney, won the Primary Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize with Dusty’s Mitey Poo, a film exploring dust mites and ways to reduce allergen exposure in homes.
Sophie M., from St Philip’s Christian College (NSW), won the Secondary Sleek Geeks award for Swing Smart to Stand Tall, a film about engineering solutions to stabilize skyscrapers against natural forces like earthquakes and typhoons.
These student entries show the strength of science communication and creativity at young ages in NSW.
You can watch the full recording of the Eureka Prizes below.
These stories from NSW show that scientific excellence isn’t just about big breakthroughs—it’s about persistence, creativity, and translating ideas into meaningful change. As Kim McKay AO observed, the Eureka Prizes do more than reward success—they spotlight the kind of collaboration, courage, and impact that will shape Australia’s future. With voices like Dr Gamaarachchi saying, “data analysis … still takes a long time,” and innovators like Maschmeyer turning plastics into fuel, it’s clear NSW isn’t just keeping up—it’s helping lead the way.
The Eureka Prizes, presented by the Australian Museum, recognise outstanding contributions in research & innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science. Among the 19 winners nationally, several from NSW stood out—not just for their world-class work, but also for their potential to impact local communities, environments, and industries. Here are some of the most notable NSW stories from this year’s Eureka Prizes.
Key Winners from NSW
Living Seawalls (Macquarie University; UNSW; Sydney Institute of Marine Science)
Prize: NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Eureka Prize for Environmental Research
This project transforms concrete marine infrastructure by installing modules shaped to mimic natural shoreline features. In the experiment in Sydney Harbour, these modules attracted nearly 115 species—about 20% more than ordinary seawalls. The implication is powerful: we can enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and build climate resilience through design changes in everyday built environments.
The Fission Chips Team (Macquarie University, led by Associate Professor Noushin Nasiri)
Prize: ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology
They developed a low-temperature joining technique (using non-toxic vinegar) to create nanosensors. These devices are cheaper and more efficient, with applications ranging from health monitoring (skin cancer risk) to livestock gestation tracking. This kind of tech can make sensor-based diagnostics more accessible.
Dr Hasindu Gamaarachchi (UNSW and Garvan Institute of Medical Research)
Prize: Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher
Dr Gamaarachchi is making genomic sequencing more accessible, scalable, and computationally efficient. Genomics is increasingly central in agriculture, ecology, medicine—so improving access and efficiency has ripple effects in many fields.
Professor Anita Ho-Baillie (University of Sydney)
Prize: University of Sydney Eureka Prize for Sustainability Research
Her work on solar cells—especially combining multiple semiconductor materials (like metal halide perovskites)—has pushed solar conversion efficiency from ~30% toward 40%. She also addressed major challenges of thermal and moisture stability in these materials. This is a big step toward making high-efficiency solar energy practical in the real world.
Dr Aaron Eger (UNSW and Kelp Forest Alliance)
Prize: Emerging Leader in Science
Dr Eger is a global voice for underwater kelp forests, often overlooked but vital ecosystems. He founded the Kelp Forest Alliance, which brings together 340 organisations in 25 countries. In NSW and more broadly, his leadership signals growing attention to marine ecosystems—not just corals and reefs—but kelp as a keystone in coastal resilience and biodiversity.
Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen (Macquarie University)
Prize: Leadership in Science
Paulsen has been instrumental in building up synthetic biology in Australia. He leads the Australian Genome Foundry and an ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology. His work has spun-out nine start-ups that have pulled in over $200 million in venture capital. NSW benefits both in terms of scientific capability and in creating high-tech economic opportunities.
Professor Thomas Maschmeyer (University of Sydney)
Prize: UNSW Eureka Prize for Societal Impact of Science
Maschmeyer has developed processes to convert biomass and mixed plastics into sustainable aviation fuels and useful chemicals, thereby reducing waste and carbon emissions. The approach is circular, aiming to turn pollution into something valuable. For NSW, that has implications in waste management, industry transformation, and setting an example for sustainable practices.
Dr Vanessa Pirotta (Macquarie University)
Prize: Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science
Dr Pirotta is a wildlife scientist, communicator and author. She is known for her ability to make science accessible—bridging from young children (e.g. Play School) to political decision-makers. Her work includes citizen science programs (notably Wild Sydney Harbour), integrating First Nations knowledge, and using science communication via media, schools and public engagement to help Australians of all ages make informed decisions about marine ecosystems.
Student Winners: PLC Sydney & St Philip’s Christian College
Keira, Year 3 student at PLC Sydney, won the Primary Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize with Dusty’s Mitey Poo, a film exploring dust mites and ways to reduce allergen exposure in homes.
Sophie M., from St Philip’s Christian College (NSW), won the Secondary Sleek Geeks award for Swing Smart to Stand Tall, a film about engineering solutions to stabilize skyscrapers against natural forces like earthquakes and typhoons.
These student entries show the strength of science communication and creativity at young ages in NSW.
You can watch the full recording of the Eureka Prizes below.
These stories from NSW show that scientific excellence isn’t just about big breakthroughs—it’s about persistence, creativity, and translating ideas into meaningful change. As Kim McKay AO observed, the Eureka Prizes do more than reward success—they spotlight the kind of collaboration, courage, and impact that will shape Australia’s future. With voices like Dr Gamaarachchi saying, “data analysis … still takes a long time,” and innovators like Maschmeyer turning plastics into fuel, it’s clear NSW isn’t just keeping up—it’s helping lead the way.
Feature Image: 2025 Eureka Prizes Award Ceremony – Mel Koutchavlis © Australian Museum.
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