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Tanya Monro

AC FAA FTSE
Tanya Monro - Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) - University of Adelaide.jpg
Tanya Monro in 2011
Born
Tanya Mary Feletto

1973 (age 51–52)
Nationality Australian
Alma mater University of Sydney
Awards
Scientific career
Fields
  • Physics
  • Optical physics
  • Photonics
Institutions
Thesis Self-written waveguides (1998)

Tanya Mary Monro (born in 1973) is an amazing Australian scientist. She is famous for her work in photonics, which is about light and how it behaves. Since March 2019, she has been Australia's Chief Defence Scientist. This is a very important job where she helps make sure Australia's defence is strong using science.

Before that, she worked at the University of South Australia. She was in charge of research and new ideas there. In 2013, she received a special award called the Georgina Sweet Fellowship. She also helped start and lead a special science center. It was called the Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing (IPAS).

Tanya Monro's Education

Tanya Monro studied at the University of Sydney. In 1995, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. She then completed her PhD in 1998. Her PhD research was about waveguides, which are like tiny tunnels for light.

Tanya says a teacher at her high school, Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar, helped her love physics. This teacher made science exciting for her.

Her Career in Science

From 1998 to 2004, Tanya Monro worked in England. She was a researcher at the Optoelectronics Research Centre. This center is part of the University of Southampton.

In 2005, she moved back to Australia. She joined the University of Adelaide. There, she became the first professor of photonics. She also directed a special center for photonics.

While at the University of Adelaide, she led other important science groups. These included the Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing (IPAS). She also directed a center focused on tiny light-based technologies.

From 2014 to 2019, she worked at the University of South Australia. She was a top leader there, guiding research and new ideas.

Chief Defence Scientist

In March 2019, Tanya Monro became the Chief Defence Scientist. This was a big moment because she was the first woman to hold this important position. In this role, she helps guide science and technology for Australia's defence.

Scientific Publications

Tanya Monro has written many scientific papers. She has also contributed to several book chapters. Her work has been cited by other scientists over 21,000 times. This shows how important her research is.

She has also registered several patents. Patents protect new inventions. Even though her patents haven't been used commercially, they show her new ideas.

Awards and Recognitions

Tanya Monro has received many awards for her excellent work.

  • 1998: She won the Bragg Gold Medal. This award is for the best PhD thesis in physics in Australia.
  • 2006: She was named a "Bright Spark" by Cosmos Magazine. This meant she was one of Australia's top 10 scientists under 45.
  • 2012: She received the Pawsey Medal.
  • 2015: She won a Eureka Prize. This was for her great work combining different science fields.
  • 2019: She won a South Australian award for excellence in women's leadership.
  • 2020: She was given the title of Emeritus Professor. This is a special honor from the University of South Australia.
  • 2022: She was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia. This is a very high honor. It recognized her amazing service to science, research, and education.

Professional Groups

Tanya Monro is part of several important science groups.

  • She is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America (FOSA).
  • She is also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA).
  • She is a Bragg Fellow at the Royal Institution Australia.

Her Life Outside Work

Tanya Monro grew up in Bankstown, a suburb of Sydney. When she was younger, she attended the National Youth Science Forum. This is a special camp for students who want to work in science.

She married David in 1995. They moved to England in 1998. They have three sons. Their first son was born in 2003, and then twin boys were born in 2006.

Tanya Monro enjoys science fiction. She also played the cello in the Burnside Symphony Orchestra in Adelaide.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tanya Monro para niños

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