Prof. Mahananda Dasgupta, Robin Khuda, Dr Parwinder Kaur MLC, and Prof. Rajeev Varshney, who have been working across nuclear science, biotechnology, data infrastructure and agricultural innovation, are among 34 new Fellows elected by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).
Prof. Mahananda Dasgupta, Director of the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility at The Australian National University, has been recognised for her work in nuclear reactions, nuclear fusion and advanced scientific instrumentation.
Her research focuses on understanding nuclear reactions at a fundamental level, including precision measurements of quantum processes relevant to nuclear fusion.
ATSE said Dasgupta’s measurements had influenced nuclear physics research internationally.
Her work also extends beyond fundamental science. Dasgupta leads national heavy-ion accelerator infrastructure and has supported applications of accelerator technology across nuclear, quantum, environmental, defence and space research.
She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the American Physical Society and has received honours including the Pawsey Medal.
Her election to ATSE adds another recognition to a career combining fundamental research with the development and application of sophisticated scientific infrastructure.
Robin Khuda’s contribution comes from a different part of Australia’s technology landscape.
As Founder and CEO of AirTrunk, Khuda has played a role in developing hyperscale data-centre infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East.
He founded AirTrunk and opened its first data centre in 2017. The company was acquired by Blackstone and CPP Investments in 2024 for A$24 billion.
Data centres have become increasingly important to the digital economy as demand grows for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital services and data storage.
Beyond his business career, Khuda has also invested in education and STEM opportunities.
Through the Khuda Family Foundation, he donated A$100 million to the University of Sydney to support a 20-year program aimed at creating STEM pathways for girls from Western Sydney.
Following his election as an ATSE Fellow, Khuda described the recognition as an honour and reflected on his journey to Australia as a student nearly 30 years ago.
He said he felt a responsibility to give back by supporting the next generation, creating opportunities for young people in STEM and helping technology and innovation contribute to Australia’s future prosperity and resilience.
For Dr Parwinder Kaur MLC, the ATSE Fellowship brings together two areas of her career: science and public service.
Kaur is a scientist and Member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia whose work has spanned biodiversity genomics, agricultural resilience and biotechnology.
She founded the Australian chapter of DNA Zoo, a global genomics consortium that has supported genome sequencing of more than 45 Australian species.
Her scientific work has included the development of genomic resources for Australian biodiversity, while her public role has seen her contribute to science and technology policy in Western Australia.
Kaur was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council in 2025 and has been involved in work associated with the state’s 10-year Science and Technology Plan. She also established the Parliamentary Friends of Science, Medical Advancement, Research, Technology and Talent (SMARTT).
Reflecting on her election as an ATSE Fellow, Kaur said the recognition was particularly significant because of the combination of her scientific and parliamentary careers.
She said she had become the first woman sitting Member of Parliament in Australia to be elected an ATSE Fellow and the first sitting Member of the Western Australian Parliament to receive the honour.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer was the first sitting MP elected an ATSE Fellow, in 2000, according to Kaur.
Kaur arrived in Australia as an international student nearly two decades ago. She said her journey had subsequently taken her from scientific research, including building DNA maps of species such as black swans and quokkas, to representing communities in the Western Australian Parliament.
For Kaur, the Fellowship is also about the next generation.
She said she wanted more young people to see a place for themselves in STEM and science and innovation to remain central to Australia’s future.
Prof. Rajeev Varshney’s work focuses on another challenge with direct implications for Australia’s future: how scientific advances can help agriculture become more productive and resilient.
Varshney is Director of the Centre for Crop and Food Innovation and the WA State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre at Murdoch University.
His research has contributed to genomic resources and breeding platforms for crops including wheat and pulses, with applications across Australia, Asia and Africa.
ATSE said his work had contributed to the development of high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties while strengthening Australia’s agricultural biotechnology capability.
Varshney has trained more than 450 scientists globally and has also advocated for greater diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM.
His ATSE Fellowship follows election to The Royal Society in 2023 and the Australian Academy of Science in 2025.
Reflecting on the latest recognition, Varshney said he was grateful to join ATSE and highlighted the importance of connecting scientific research with practical outcomes.
“The future of Australian agriculture depends on how quickly we turn technological innovation into practical outcomes on farms,” Varshney said.
He acknowledged the contribution of researchers, mentors, collaborators, universities, government agencies, industry partners and growers to the work.
His research career has involved partnerships across universities, agricultural research organisations, government and industry, reflecting the increasingly collaborative nature of modern agricultural biotechnology.
The new Fellows span academia, scientific research, industry and public life, reflecting the breadth of expertise represented within Australia’s applied science and technology sector.
ATSE said the 2026 Fellows had been recognised for outstanding achievements across research, industry leadership, policymaking and commercialisation.
ATSE President Dr Cathy Foley congratulated the new Fellows, describing election to the Academy as one of Australia’s highest honours for achievement in technology and engineering.
“Fellowship is also a responsibility,” Foley said, highlighting the role of Fellows in contributing expertise to national conversations, government advice and STEM education and workforce programs.
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