A pioneer in digital mental health, a global leader in crop genomics, and a foremost cosmologist are among 26 distinguished scientists elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science for 2025—recognising the nation’s brightest minds across diverse fields.
Among the new Fellows is Prof. Rajeev Varshney from Murdoch University, renowned for his groundbreaking work in crop genomics that is shaping the future of agriculture in Australia and beyond. His large-scale genome sequencing and haplotype cataloguing have led to the development of over 20 climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties.
“Each Fellow has made remarkable contributions in their field, demonstrating the vital role that science plays in addressing our most pressing challenges and expanding human knowledge,” said Academy President, Prof. Chennupati Jagadish AC.
Prof. Varshney, whose research spans continents from India to Africa, Germany to Australia, has been instrumental in decoding the genomes of more than a dozen crops. His work has significantly impacted broadacre and horticultural crop industries, including genome assemblies for 15 Australian chickpea varieties and ten Australian horticultural crop varieties. His team is currently working to develop the pangenome of Australian wheat using data from over 300 wheat lines.
He has also trained over 450 scientists and led major international programmes using genomics to breed drought- and pest-resistant crops for farmers in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa—particularly focusing on legume crops such as chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut.
Prof. Varshney’s global recognition includes fellowships from over 10 scientific and agricultural academies and more than 30 prestigious awards, including India’s Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award, and the International Crop Science Award from the United States.
Joining him in the 2025 cohort is Prof. Helen Christensen from UNSW Sydney, whose pioneering digital mental health interventions have revolutionised global access to treatment for depression and anxiety, and Prof. Tamara Davis from The University of Queensland, known for her foundational work in theoretical cosmology and dark energy.
The 26 Fellows of the Academy elected in 2025 are:
- Professor David Adams FAA FAHMS, University of Wollongong
- Professor Gabrielle Belz FAA FAHMS, University of Queensland
- Dr Josep Canadell FAA FTSE, CSIRO
- Professor Deli Chen AO FAA, University of Melbourne
- Professor Helen Christensen AO FAA FAHMS FASSA, UNSW Sydney
- Professor Tamara Davis AM FAA, University of Queensland
- Professor Jeffery Errington FAA FRS, University of Sydney
- Professor Jürgen Götz FAA FAHMS, University of Queensland
- Professor Xiaojing Hao FAA FTSE, UNSW Sydney
- Professor Mark Howden FAA FTSE, Australian National University
- Professor David Huang FAA FAHMS, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
- Professor Trevor Ireland FAA, University of Queensland
- Dr Marlene Kanga AO FAA FTSE, iOmniscient Pty Ltd
- Professor Derek Leinweber FAA, University of Adelaide
- Professor Robert Mahony FAA, Australian National University
- Professor Richard Middleton FAA, University of Newcastle
- Professor Christina Mitchell AO FAA FAHMS, Monash University
- Dr Andrew Nash FAA FTSE, CSL Limited
- Professor Jessica Purcell FAA, Monash University
- Professor Clare Scott AM FAA FAHMS, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
- Professor Aidan Sims FAA, University of Wollongong
- Professor Michael Stumpf FAA, University of Melbourne
- Professor Rajeev Varshney FAA FRS, Murdoch University
- Professor Guoxiu Wang FAA, University of Technology Sydney
- Professor Nicole Webster FAA, University of Tasmania
- Professor Anthony Weiss AM FAA FTSE FAHMS, University of Sydney
“The Academy is proud to welcome such a diverse group of outstanding scientists whose work spans from improving mental health outcomes to securing our food future and unravelling the mysteries of the universe,” Prof. Jagadish said.
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