Air quality expert wins 2025 PM's Prize for Science

Australia’s top scientists, innovators and educators were recognised in the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, considered to be the country’s most prestigious and highly regarded science awards. This year’s awards — presented at Parliament House on 3 November — acknowledged breakthroughs in public health, quantum innovation, mathematics, clean energy, medical technology, environmental stewardship and inspiring our next generation of scientists.

The $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science was awarded to Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska — Director of the ARC Centre for Advanced Building Systems against Airborne Infection Transmission and QUT’s International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health — whose pioneering work in the study of air quality provided vital insight in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. Her research into ultrafine particles — tiny pollutants small enough to enter the bloodstream — has reshaped the World Health Organization’s global air quality guidelines and improved how the world addresses air pollution and its impact on health and the environment.

The $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation was meanwhile awarded to Dr Vikram Sharma, for translating Australian research in quantum science into world-leading cybersecurity solutions. In 2008, Sharma founded QuintessenceLabs in Canberra, a leader in Australia’s growing national quantum industry.

The inaugural $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems went to Professor Michael Wear, for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s livelihoods through the respectful practice of Aboriginal knowledge systems for Sea Country conservation and sustainable commercial activities. He is the founder of Tidal Moon, Australia’s first Indigenous-owned and led sea cucumber fishery and marine restoration enterprise.

Additional prize winners are as follows:

• The $50,000 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year was presented to Professor Yao Zheng, from The University of Adelaide, in recognition of his groundbreaking work to produce clean hydrogen directly from seawater, helping to accelerate Australia’s green hydrogen industry in the transition to net zero.
• The $50,000 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year was presented to Dr David Khoury, from the Kirby Institute at UNSW, for using applied mathematics to translate scientific research into actionable evidence. These outcomes have guided drug development for malaria and vaccine policies for COVID-19 and mpox.
• The $50,000 Prize for New Innovators was presented to Dr Nikhilesh Bappoo, co-founder and CTO of VeinTech, for developing novel and accessible medical technologies, including ultrasound-based technology to aid cannulation and solutions to help prevent heart disease.
• The $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools was presented to Paula Taylor for transforming STEM education in ACT primary schools, having worked with more than 10,000 students and 480 classroom teachers in her role at the ACT Education Directorate’s Academy of Future Skills.
• The $250,000 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools was presented to Matthew Dodds from Glen Innes High School, recognising his creative teaching methods to equip students from rural areas and diverse backgrounds with the STEM knowledge and skills they need to thrive in their futures.
   

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Prizes for Science highlight our country’s exceptional achievements, with special mention of Morawska for the global impact of her work.

“I congratulate and thank Professor Morawska for her incredible work over many years which influenced how Australia and the world mitigated risks associated with COVID-19,” he said.

“I extend that congratulations and thanks to all recipients.”

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, with recipients to be announced in late 2026. Nominations close on 18 December 2025.

Image caption: Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska won the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science.