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IPAS at SPIE Optics + Photonics 2024
![A Trowbridge and C Perrella at SPIE Optics Photonics San Diego 2024](/ipas/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2024-08/sandiegospie3.jpg?h=fbf4b26c&itok=vrnHXs4S)
We celebrate the contributions of IPAS members who recently participated in the SPIE Optics + Photonics 2024 conference in San Diego. The Centre of Light for Life (CLL) at IPAS was well-represented by Professor Kishan Dholakia, Dr Chris Perrella, and PhD candidate Alexander Trowbridge, who showcased their cutting-edge research to an international audience.
Dr Emma Watson Awarded 2025 DECRA for Nucleic Acid-Based Molecular Circuitry
![Dr Emma Watson](/ipas/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2024-08/emma-watson-360x270.png?h=fbf4b26c&itok=k_S3d0Hg)
Congratulations to Dr Emma Watson on receiving the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), with funding totaling $483,591. This award will support her innovative project, "Nucleic Acid-Based Molecular Circuitry to Control Biological Processes," which aims to advance the field of biosensing and molecular control.
[Read more about Dr Emma Watson Awarded 2025 DECRA for Nucleic Acid-Based Molecular Circuitry]
Dr Cheryl Law Awarded 2025 DECRA for Shark-Inspired Remote Sensors
![Cheryl Law](/ipas/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2023-08/law-cheryl-dsc09973_cropped1.jpg?h=25a64495&itok=ufK0VWVR)
Dr. Cheryl Law has been awarded a 2025 Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), which includes a funding of $456,691. The award will support her innovative project titled "Shark-Inspired Remote Sensors," aimed at revolutionising remote sensing technology by emulating the remarkable capabilities of shark skin.
[Read more about Dr Cheryl Law Awarded 2025 DECRA for Shark-Inspired Remote Sensors]
Professor Kishan Dholakia Elected as SPIE Society Director 2025-2027
![Kishan Dholakia](/ipas/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2021-07/Kishan%20Dholakia.png?h=71412199&itok=g0renwTI)
Professor Kishan Dholakia has been elected as a Society Director for SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics. His term will run from 2025 to 2027, during which he will have the opportunity to shape the future direction of SPIE and make significant contributions to the global optics and photonics community worldwide.
[Read more about Professor Kishan Dholakia Elected as SPIE Society Director 2025-2027]
Strengthening Global Collaboration: An American Quantum Educational Visit
![US Visitors](/ipas/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2024-08/usvisiting2.jpeg?h=4521fff0&itok=P4NwnM6W)
IPAS was honoured to host a group of distinguished American academics for a pivotal quantum educational visit. This visit marked a significant step in fortifying global partnerships between Australian and US academics working in emerging fields such as quantum technologies, advanced manufacturing, and nanotechnologies.
[Read more about Strengthening Global Collaboration: An American Quantum Educational Visit]
Finalists Recognised for 2024 SA Science Excellence Awards
![Prof Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem and Craig Priest holding their certificate at the SA Science Excellence Award](/ipas/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2024-08/saexcellenceaward.jpg?h=fbf4b26c&itok=egBlMS0W)
On August 12th, a prestigious ceremony was held to recognise the finalists for the 2024 SA Science Excellence Awards, during which Prof Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem and Prof Craig Priest received their finalist certificates from the Chief Scientist for South Australia.
[Read more about Finalists Recognised for 2024 SA Science Excellence Awards]
IPAS members at Science Alive!
![Dr Scholten, Sparkes, Perrella at Science Alive](/ipas/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2024-08/aipsciencealive3.jpeg?h=4521fff0&itok=SRr5KNst)
We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the members of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP), Optofab Adelaide and the University of Adelaide Optica Student Chapter for their outstanding involvement in Science Alive! Invited for another year by the South Australian Science Teachers Association, your dedication and enthusiasm made a significant impact on the event’s success.
Dr Sarah Scholten Secures AEA Seed Grant for Next-Generation Optical Atomic Clocks in Space
![Portrait of post doctoral researcher Dr Sarah Scholten](/ipas/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2024-08/sarah-scholten-early-career-industry-fellowships.jpg?h=c4dd2c7b&itok=8I6omsVJ)
Dr Sarah Scholten, a rising star with IPAS, has succeeded in the final round of AEA Seed Grants with her innovative project, "Sovereign Portable Atomic Clock for a Global Positioning System 2.0," in collaboration with QuantX Labs. The project has been awarded $474,794 in funding.
Milestone Achieved: Richter Lab’s Create Plasma-Activated Water
![Plasma Activated Water](/ipas/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2024-08/plasmaactivatedwater.jpg?h=fbf4b26c&itok=z4iCs8xB)
The Richter Lab team has achieved a major milestone by successfully creating plasma-activated water. The plasma-activated water effectively neutralises harmful microorganisms, leaving only water, offering a powerful and environmentally friendly disinfectant. This advancement promises to significantly reduce food contamination and enhance wound healing with minimal infection risk.
[Read more about Milestone Achieved: Richter Lab’s Create Plasma-Activated Water]
Dr Danny Wilson Awarded ARC Future Fellowship
![Dr Danny Wilson](/ipas/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2021-08/Danny%20Wilson.jpg?h=f28bf686&itok=H5mgdWaI)
Dr Danny Wilson was awarded $1,061,015 to look into Apicomplexan parasites of humans and livestock – including malaria – which survive by infecting and reproducing in host cells.
[Read more about Dr Danny Wilson Awarded ARC Future Fellowship]