Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Indian-Origin Mathematician Nalini Joshi Named 2025 NSW Scientist of the Year
Nalini Joshi is a very smart mathematician who was born in Burma (now Myanmar) and moved to Australia when she was young.
She has done important work in a special area of math called integrable systems and is now helping to make sure our computers are safe in the future.
She is the first mathematician to win the NSW Scientist of the Year award in 2025.
She also helps other young scientists, especially women and minorities, to succeed in their careers.
She has won many awards for her work and is considered one of Australia's most important scientists.
Nalini Joshi, an Indian-origin mathematician, has been named the 2025 NSW Scientist of the Year, the first mathematician to receive this honor.
Born in 1958 in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma (Myanmar), Joshi emigrated to Australia and has since made significant contributions to the field of mathematics.
She is a world-leading expert in integrable systems and is currently applying her expertise to quantum cryptography to address future cybersecurity challenges.
Joshi was the first woman to be appointed Professor of Mathematics at the University of Sydney and has held various prestigious positions in international mathematical societies.
Beyond her research, Joshi is a renowned mentor and advocate for women and minority groups in science, having received the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentorship of Young Researchers in 2018.
- Who
- Nalini Joshi, an Indian-origin mathematician
- What
- Named 2025 NSW Scientist of the Year
- When
- Award announced on Wednesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Government House in Sydney, Australia
- Why
- For her groundbreaking work in mathematics, particularly in integrable systems and quantum cryptography
- Name
- Nalini Joshi
- Birth Year
- 1958
- Birthplace
- Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma (Myanmar)
- Current Position
- Chair of Applied Mathematics, University of Sydney
- Award
- NSW Scientist of the Year 2025
- Field of Expertise
- Integrable Systems, Quantum Cryptography
- Notable Achievements
- First woman Professor of Mathematics at the University of Sydney, First Australian Vice-President of the International Mathematical Union
- Mentorship Award
- Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentorship of Young Researchers (2018)