We are pleased to announce that ANZOS is now a Constituent Organisation with the Royal Society Te Apārangi of New Zealand Aotearoa.

For many years ANZOS has been a constituent organisation of Science and Technology Australia, allowing us, as a society, to advocating for science to the Australian government and represent the voice of the optics and photonics community in Australia and New Zealand. During 2023 this advocacy included participating in Science Meets Parliament, and  submissions to Australia's draft 'Science and Research Priorities' and the proposed Defence Trade Control Amendment Bill. Now that we have joined the Royal Society Te Apārangi we can similarly advocate for science and photonics in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We encourage members to assist us and get involved with ANZOS in these submissions — let us know if there is any science policy development or other matter you believe ANZOS should provide feedback on to the New Zealand Government.

Congratulations to Professor Cather Simpson!

Professor Simpson (University of Auckland) has made many groundbreaking discoveries in the field of ultrafast physics and chemistry and biomedical diagnostics which have impacted on important areas of both fundamental and applied science. Her career has always been strongly interdisciplinary, and over many years Professor Simpson has played a major role in developing and stimulating the New Zealand optics community to transfer results from basic research into applied technology. Professor Simpson is an amazing mentor as testified by the successes of her colleagues and students.

Her research has had high impact worldwide from both the fundamental science and engineering communities, she has a remarkable patent portfolio, and she is frequently invited to present her work at major science and industry events. Cather has combined her achievements in basic research with extremely effective entrepreneurship and technology transfer, and a real commitment to apply her work for societal benefit. Professor Simpson, as well as her companies have received a very large number of national and international recognitions and distinctions demonstrating the evidence of both the national and international impact of her research. service, and innovation in the field of optics in Australia and New Zealand.

Congratulations to Dr Chris Perrella!

Dr Chris Perrella's (University of Adelaide) research focuses on finding fundamental optics solutions to solve real-world challenges. Two key projects he has led that exemplify his commitment to real-world impact are the Rubidium Two-Photon Optical Clock, which out-performs the best commercially available clocks of similar size, weight, and power, and high-performance quantum magnetometers. He mentored several Ph.D. students and early-career researchers, is champion for inclusion and diversity, and organised multiple public outreach events. Chris raised more than $5M in research funding and was awarded the 2023 South Australian Tall Poppy Award.

Congratulations to Dr Sarah Scholten!

Dr Sarah Scholten (University of Adelaide) has led the BreathELISA project, Breath analysis for detection of disease, and developed a dual-colour two-photon Rb clock. She successfully transitioned both research streams into real-world applications: the terrestrial Rb clock she built operated successfully and autonomously aboard a NZ ship during the RIMPAC 2022 naval exercise in Hawaii, and a satellite compatible Rb clock is currently being ruggedised with the commercialisation partner. BreathELISA will begin clinical trials this year and has already generated media attention including news articles (IFLS, New Scientist, Science Daily), radio & TV interviews and invited talks at the MASCC, AIP, and ATMOP conferences, along with a 3-week invited research exchange to UWA, and a research exchange invite at NIST.

Congratulations to Raymond Harrison!

The ANZOS Postgraduate Student Prize was awarded to Raymond Harrison (University of Queensland) for his outstanding contribution in addressing a limitation of light-matter interaction in the realm of cavity optomechanics.  This contribution allowed him to increase the effective applied force by up to eight orders of magnitude and enabling a mechanical lasing threshold three orders of magnitude lower than previously reported in the literature.

Congratulations to The Rubidium Clock Team!

The ANZOS John Love Award was awarded to the Rubidium Clock team (University of Adelaide) for the advancement of photonics within a University environment with the subsequent commencement of a company to develop and promulgate the technology.  This  risk-taking pathway employs Australians (and New Zealanders), keeps researchers contributing to our national accounts and fits with the high technology manufacturing push mandatory for the development of our economy.

A panel discussion was held on the Tuesday night during ANZCOP/AIP at the Australian Academy of Sciences Shine Dome on the draft Australian ‘Science and Research priorities’. ANZOS Vice President Prof. David Lancaster (pictured on the left) was part of the discussion, that also included Prof. Nicole Bell (President of the AIP), and Professor Ian Chubb (former Australian Chief Scientist).

The panel discussion covered a number of apparent short-comings of the current Science and Research priorities policy document that included a focus on high-level aspirational priorities (eg.  net zero future; healthy communities; productive and innovative economy; a strong/ resilient nation) without apparent support or acknowledgement of Australia’s history and strong track record in fundamental sciences which forms the deep foundation to Australia’s research capabilities. The panel also discussed the apparent lack of alignment with other government policies such as defence and sovereign manufacturing capability.

ANZOS is delighted to congratulate our member and 2021 W.H. (Beattie) Steel Award winner, Professor Emeritus Peter Hannaford, on being named as a Companion in the Order of Australia (AC) in the most recent round of awards announced on 26  January 2023. 

Peter was cited "for eminent service to science, particularly to experimental physics, as an academic and researcher, to professional institutions, and as a role model for young scientists".

The AC is the highest rank of civilian award in the Order of Australia system and only six were awarded in this round, so this is truly outstanding mark of achievement.

Here is Peter receiving the Society's highest honour, the W. H. (Beattie) Steel medal in early 2022 from former ANZOS Councillor and Treasurer Prof. Arnan Mitchell.

ANZOS is currently seeking to appoint a part time administration officer to play a significant role in the Society's effort to expand services to members and grow the membership. The initial appointment will be for fixed term for one year at 9 hours per week. 

The role will involve a range of online administrative duties including communicating and supporting members, engaging with external stakeholders, supporting preparation of the Society newsletter, maintaining and improving the Society web site, and developing strategies to grow membership.  The successful candidate will report to and work closely with the Society's leadership team. 

The role will be performed largely remotely and application is open to all qualified persons in either Australia or New Zealand.

Selection of the role will be made in accordance with the Society’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion policy (www.optics.org.au/Equity). We strongly encourage applications from persons identifying with one or more groups that have historically experienced discrimination and under-representation in STEM fields.

Full details, selection criteria and instructions on how to apply are provided in this document.

Applications close on 15 January 2023.

ANZOS congratulates Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop on receiving the 2022 Moyal Medal. The Moyal Medal is awarded annually by Macquarie University for research contributions to mathematics, physics or statistics – the areas of research of the late Professor José Enrique Moyal. 

Prof. Rubinsztein-Dunlop was awarded the medal for her groundbreaking work in the fields of sculpted light, micromanipulation and nano-optics where she has been on the forefront of International research for many years.