Emeritus Prof. Chennupati Jagadish, a pioneering nanotechnology researcher at The Australian National University (ANU), has been elected as a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of London — one of the world’s oldest and most respected scientific institutions, founded in 1660.
Prof. Jagadish, who grew up studying by kerosene lamp in a small Indian village, described the honour as “humbling and gratifying” in a heartfelt post on LinkedIn, crediting his success to the kindness of mentors, his family, and decades of collaboration with students and colleagues.
“All the credit goes to my group members — students, postdocs, colleagues, and collaborators — past and present,” he wrote. He also expressed gratitude to his parents, schoolteachers, and the countries that shaped his journey: India, Canada, and Australia.
The recognition celebrates not only his groundbreaking work in nanotechnology — including developments in LED technology, solar cells, and neuron manipulation — but also his leadership in science, having served as President of the Australian Academy of Science and contributed to major scientific bodies such as the IEEE Photonics Society and the Australian Nanotechnology Network.
Since joining ANU in 1990 on a two-year contract, Prof. Jagadish has remained for 35 years, supported by the university’s robust infrastructure and technical expertise. He has published over 880 research papers and mentored countless young scientists.
But despite these remarkable achievements, Prof. Jagadish remains focused on values of kindness, generosity, and empowerment.
“Success for me is secondary — seeing others succeed is what makes me happy,” he said in an interview with ANU Reporter.
“The kindness and generosity of my teachers has enabled me to be who I am today.”
Prof. Jagadish and his wife Vidya have donated $140,000 to launch the Future Research Talent (FRT) program at ANU, supporting students from developing nations. Their gift has since grown into a $1 million fund, benefiting students from India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.
Prof. Jagadish’s election places him alongside scientific luminaries such as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking. The Royal Society’s President, Sir Adrian Smith, praised this year’s cohort of new Fellows for their diverse achievements and global impact.
“They represent the very best of scientific endeavour — from tackling global health challenges to reimagining what AI can do for humanity,” Sir Smith said.
Among this year’s newly elected Fellows are a Nobel Prize winner, the first Sudanese scientist to join the Society, and pioneers in neuroscience, HIV prevention, and AI development.
Prof Jagadish was elected as an International Member of the US National Academy of Engineering in 2020 and was formally inducted in Washington DC in 2022.
That same year, he was also inducted as an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering by HRH Princess Anne in London.
Reflecting on his journey from village student to Royal Society Fellow, Prof. Jagadish said:
“I’m so grateful to the Royal Society for honouring me — and to the many people who helped me along the way.”
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