University of Sydney’s Nalini Joshi wins top gong
“I wanted to try to understand the universe,” he says, “I would look at the shadows on the distant hills and say, Where are these shadows on the hills coming from?” I thought.
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He began to notice mathematical patterns while playing games, and later discovered that he could find solutions using numbers in science experiments at school.
Joshi describes mathematics as a magical power whose importance cannot be exaggerated.
“It’s like the air we breathe. It’s so important to our lives, but people don’t pay attention to it because it’s invisible.”
Joshi immigrated to Australia with his family at the age of 12 following a period of political unrest in Burma. Here he discovered science fiction, which sparked his interest in astronomy and astrophysics.
He attended Fort Street High School and earned a bachelor of science degree with honors from the University of Sydney before completing his doctorate at Princeton University.
Joshi is the first female head of applied mathematics at the University of Sydney. He has previously won the Eureka Award for providing outstanding mentorship to young researchers and is an officer of the Order of Australia.
The NSW Scientist of the Year is selected on the recommendation of the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, which is accepted by the Premier and awarded by the governor.
Joshi will receive his award at a ceremony at NSW Government House on Wednesday evening.
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