Dr Aaron Eger, Professor Clare Arnott and Dr Hammond Pearce are recognised as leaders in science and technology.
Three UNSW Sydney researchers have received 2026 NSW Young Tall Poppy Awards , which honour excellence in scientific research and commitment to communicating science to the broader community.
Dr Aaron Eger, Professor Clare Arnott and Dr Hammond Pearce were recognised for their work in ocean conservation, addressing inequities in health and analysing how AI technologies impact the security of our systems and our society.
The annual awards, run by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS), celebrate the nation's brightest scientific minds and their commitment to inspiring the next generation of scientists.
UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise, Professor Bronwyn Fox, said she was delighted to see three of the University's experts recognised for their achievements.
"From preserving healthy oceans for future generations and improving heart health for women to addressing global security risks and harnessing the potential of AI, UNSW's researchers are advancing progress at an individual, societal and global level," Prof. Fox said.
"Dr Aaron Eger, Professor Clare Arnott and Dr Hammond Pearce are shaping the future of their fields and inspiring tomorrow's scientific researchers."
Dr Aaron Eger
Dr Eger from UNSW's School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences was recognised for his research into some of the most productive ecosystems on Earth, which are disappearing rapidly - kelp forests. His research focuses on why kelp forests are declining and how to restore them.
Dr Eger effectively translates his research into large-scale conservation action. He co-leads the Kelp Forest Challenge , an international effort to protect and restore 4 million hectares of kelp forests by 2040. He also founded the Kelp Forest Alliance , a global network connecting 380 organisations across more than 25 countries, to save kelp ecosystems.
By combining science with collaboration and public engagement, Dr Eger's goal is to restore kelp forests and ensure healthy oceans for future generations.
"As someone working to bring science and policy together in a field that has long been overlooked, it is deeply rewarding to see growing recognition of efforts to protect and restore kelp forests," Dr Eger said.
"The kelp forest community is exceptionally inclusive, generous and collaborative, and it is a continual privilege to work alongside them to advance kelp forest conservation. I hope that the continued recognition of our work can lead to real and lasting benefits for our underwater forests."
From preserving healthy oceans for future generations and improving heart health for women to addressing global security risks and harnessing the potential of AI, UNSW's researchers are advancing progress at an individual, societal and global level.
Professor Clare Arnott
Clare Arnott is a Professor in Medicine at UNSW Sydney, Director of the Global Cardiovascular Program at the George Institute and Pagent Director of Heart Lung Research at St Vincents Hospital . The cardiologist and researcher was awarded for advancing health outcomes in cardiovascular disease, with a focus on addressing inequities in women's health.
Prof. Arnott established Australia's first Women's Heart Clinic at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. She is committed to improving women's cardiovascular health, particularly for women at high risk, such as those from culturally and linguistically diverse groups or disadvantaged communities.
Her research is particularly focused on preventive care and leveraging existing systems which women regularly engage with. For example, women attend mammograms 30 times more than they attend heart health screenings.
Prof. Arnott's team has developed a way of using mammograms to identify who might also be at risk of heart disease, using machine learning to re-analyse the mammograms and predict a woman's risk of heart disease, as well as their risk of cancer, from the same test.
"This means we can screen women for heart disease in a way that is convenient and safe for them and efficient for the health system. Using an existing and government-funded service also means we do not widen inequities, or leave any women behind," Prof. Arnott said.
"I am exceptionally grateful for this wonderful award.
"I have been so inspired by previous Young Tall Poppy recipients, so this means a great deal to me. It's such a wonderful honour."
Dr Hammond Pearce
Dr Hammond Pearce from the UNSW's School of Computer Science and Engineering , was honoured for his cross-disciplinary research combining large language models (LLMs) and cybersecurity to address global security risks.
Dr Pearce's research examines both sides of the AI transformation: how AI can help us build safer and more secure systems and how insecure or malicious uses of AI can harm individuals and society.
His collaborative work through projects such as Capture the Narrative , explores how AI-powered bots and synthetic content can influence social media, shape public opinion and erode trust, as well as how cyber literacy can help people recognise and respond to these threats.
Dr Pearce is translating complex AI-security risks into accessible, evidence-based public education.
"I am honoured and delighted to receive a 2026 NSW Young Tall Poppy Science Award," Dr Pearce said.
"It is wonderful to receive an award that recognises both research excellence and the importance of communicating science beyond the laboratory.
"I hope this award helps bring greater attention to both the opportunities and the consequences of the AI era already unfolding around us.
"I am deeply grateful to my students, collaborators, colleagues, and mentors, whose work and support make this research possible."
