The Eureka Prizes recognise academics for excellence in research & innovation, leadership and science engagement.
UNSW Sydney researchers who are transforming marine biodiversity in Sydney Harbour, making genomic sequencing more accessible and helping restore 4 million hectares of underwater kelp forests were among the winners at the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes .
The academics from UNSW's Science and Engineering faculties were awarded for their exceptional achievements in the fields of outstanding early career research, science leadership and sustainability.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs congratulated this year's award recipients who included Dr Hasindu Gamaarachchi, Dr Aaron Eger and Scientia Associate Professor Mariana Mayer Pinto.
"We are proud of our researchers who have shown that they are not only leading but shaping and redefining the fields they work in," Prof. Brungs said. "Their contributions exemplify the calibre of innovation and dedication that drives meaningful progress for all society."
UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research & Enterprise, Professor Bronwyn Fox said it was fantastic to see UNSW researchers recognised for their efforts in advancing science.
"It's incredibly inspiring to see our UNSW researchers celebrated for the difference they're making in Australian science and beyond. I can't wait to see the even greater impact they will have in the years ahead," she said.
UNSW's 2025 Eureka Prize winners
Dr Hasindu Gamaarachchi
Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher
Modern genomic sequencing is transforming fields such as agriculture, medicine and ecology. However, it generally requires huge supercomputers and long processing times. Dr Gamaarachchi from UNSW Engineering and The Garvan Institute of Medical Research has developed a new scalable, efficient and accessible computer processing system, allowing more people to unlock the potential of genomic sequencing.
"Modern genome sequencing technologies generate huge volumes of complex data, and the data analysis, even on large supercomputers, still takes a long time," said Dr Gamaarachchi.
"Replacing the inefficient FAST5 format with our efficient SLOW5 was a game-changer. What used to take two weeks to process became possible (in) under 10 hours, and on standard computing hardware."
Dr Gamaarachchi said winning the prize at this early stage of his career was a huge boost.
"It's very encouraging for me to keep going and do what I've been doing," he said.
Dr Aaron Eger, UNSW and Kelp Forest Alliance
Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science
Kelp forests occupy a strange niche. The underwater marvels span one-third of the world's coastlines. Sea dragons roost in their branches, and for tens of thousands of years, cultures have been shaped by their presence. Yet, kelp forests remain largely ignored and are often missing from conservation policies and the public imagination.
Dr Eger founded the Kelp Forest Alliance, uniting 340 organisations across 25 countries across the science, community and policy space. He aims to protect and restore four million hectares of kelp forests by 2040.
"The Kelp Forest Alliance is building a movement, from snorkellers to CEOs, united by a single goal: to help our kelp and protect the life it supports," Dr Eger said.
"The challenges are immense, too big for science alone. Real solutions demand a blend of knowledge and creativity, where researchers work with artists, community leaders, businesses and visionaries. We're creating these connections through reciprocal pathways, where science serves society and society enriches science.
"When we unite science and society, we stand a real chance to turn the tide."
Dr Eger said his award was a meaningful acknowledgment of the vital role kelp forests play in environmental science.
"I would like to thank all the people who supported us to elevate this often forgotten but majestic underwater ecosystem," he said.
Living Seawalls, Macquarie University, UNSW, and Sydney Institute of Marine Science
NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Eureka Prize for Environmental Research
The Living Seawalls project addresses the growing biodiversity loss caused by construction in our oceans.
Marine constructions, such as piers, artificial reefs and marinas, destroy natural habitats. They are typically flat and featureless surfaces, which provide little protection for marine life from predators and environmental stressors.
Building on over 20 years of research, the Living Seawalls team has developed a modular system which adds critical marine life habitats that can be added to these man-made constructions.
"The complex surfaces increase the habitat area available for colonisation and growth of seaweeds, shellfish and other marine life. They also add protection to marine life from high temperatures and predators," explained UNSW Scientia Associate Professor Mariana Mayer Pinto.
"Our vision is that no new marine construction proceeds without consideration of how it can be adapted to benefit both humans and nature."
The Living Seawalls team includes A/Prof. Mayer Pinto from UNSW, Professor Melanie Bishop from Macquarie University, Professor Katherine Dafforn from Macquarie University and Dr Maria Vozzo from CSIRO. The Project Manager is Dr Aria Lee, from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science.
Presented annually in partnership with some of the nation's leading scientific institutions, government organisations, universities and corporations, the Eureka Prizes raise the profile and celebrates outstanding scientific achievement.
UNSW this year sponsored a new category at the Eureka Prizes - the UNSW Eureka Prize for Societal Impact in Science, which was won by Professor Thomas Maschmeyer from the University of Sydney for developing technology that converts biomass and mixed plastics into sustainable aviation fuels and chemicals for the circular economy.
UNSW also sponsors the Eureka Prize for Scientific Research for outstanding curiosity-driven scientific research, which was awarded to the PINK1 Parkinson's Disease Research Team which includes Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. The team revealed the first 3D structure of a key protein linked to early onset Parkinson's disease - opening new ways to slow or stop the disease progressing.
