Four prominent figures with strong connections to science, technology, research, innovation and industry have been elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) for 2026.
Professor Mahananda Dasgupta, Robin Khuda, Hon Dr Parwinder Kaur MLC and Professor Rajeev Varshney are among 34 new Fellows recognised by ATSE for achievements spanning scientific research, technology infrastructure, agricultural biotechnology, industry leadership and public policy.
ATSE describes its Fellows as leading experts who contribute knowledge and expertise to help Australia understand and apply technology to major challenges. The 2026 cohort brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, engineers, policymakers and innovators from across the country.
Professor Mahananda Dasgupta: Advancing Nuclear Science and Technology
Professor Mahananda Dasgupta, Director of the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility at The Australian National University, has been recognised for her contributions to nuclear physics, nuclear reactions and advanced scientific instrumentation.
Her research has focused on understanding nuclear reactions at a fundamental level, including precision measurements of quantum processes associated with nuclear fusion. According to ATSE, her measurements have influenced nuclear physics research internationally and contributed to a deeper understanding of processes taking place within atomic nuclei.
Beyond fundamental research, Dasgupta has played a major role in developing and leading Australia’s national heavy-ion accelerator infrastructure. The technology has applications extending across nuclear and quantum science, environmental research, defence and space.
She is also involved in developing scientific capability and addressing skills shortages in nuclear science. In partnership with universities and industry, she is leading a training centre designed to strengthen Australia’s future nuclear-science workforce.
Dasgupta has additionally supported efforts to improve diversity in STEM and has provided scientific expertise to policymakers through her involvement with the National Science and Technology Council.
Her election as an ATSE Fellow adds to an already distinguished career. She is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the American Physical Society and has received major recognition including the Pawsey Medal.
Robin Khuda: Building Australia’s Digital Infrastructure
Robin Khuda has been recognised for his contribution to Australia’s technology sector through his leadership as Founder and CEO of AirTrunk, a company that develops and operates hyperscale data-centre infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East.
Khuda founded AirTrunk and opened the company’s first data centre in 2017. The business subsequently became a major player in the region’s digital infrastructure sector and was acquired by Blackstone and CPP Investments in 2024 in a transaction valued at A$24 billion.
Data centres have become increasingly important to modern economies as demand rises for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital services, communications and large-scale data storage. Khuda’s work has therefore placed him at the intersection of technology infrastructure and Australia’s rapidly developing digital economy.
His contribution also extends beyond commercial technology. Through the Khuda Family Foundation, he donated A$100 million to the University of Sydney to establish a 20-year program aimed at creating STEM pathways for girls from Western Sydney.
The initiative reflects Khuda’s broader focus on expanding opportunities for young people and encouraging greater participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
ATSE’s recognition places his entrepreneurial and technology leadership alongside Australia’s leading researchers and innovators in the 2026 Fellowship cohort.
Hon Dr Parwinder Kaur MLC: Connecting Science With Public Policy
Hon Dr Parwinder Kaur MLC brings a combination of scientific research, biotechnology expertise and parliamentary experience to the 2026 ATSE Fellows.
Kaur is a scientist and Member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia whose work has focused on biodiversity genomics, agricultural resilience and biotechnology. She founded the Australian chapter of DNA Zoo, a global genomics initiative that has supported genome sequencing of more than 45 iconic Australian species.
Her scientific work has contributed to the development of genomic resources for Australian biodiversity and to the wider use of biotechnology in agriculture and environmental research.
Kaur entered the Western Australian Parliament in 2025 and has since brought her scientific background into public policy discussions. She served as a special adviser on Western Australia’s 10-year Science and Technology Plan and contributed to the Australian Government’s Pathways to Diversity in STEM Review.
She also established the Parliamentary Friends of Science, Medical Advancement, Research, Technology and Talent, known as SMARTT, to encourage greater engagement with science, research, technology and innovation.
Her ATSE Fellowship recognises the combination of scientific expertise and public policy leadership represented in her career. Kaur has also highlighted the importance of encouraging more young people to see science and STEM as fields in which they can build their futures.
Her journey from scientific research to elected public office has made her a notable figure in Australia’s science and policy landscape.
Professor Rajeev Varshney: Strengthening Agricultural Biotechnology
Professor Rajeev Varshney has been recognised for his work in agricultural biotechnology, crop genomics and the development of technologies aimed at improving agricultural productivity and resilience.
Varshney is Director of the Centre for Crop and Food Innovation and Director of the WA State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre at Murdoch University. He also serves as International Chair for Agriculture and Food Security at the university.
His research has contributed to genomic resources and breeding platforms for important crops, including wheat, pulses and horticultural crops. His work has helped support the development of higher-yielding and climate-resilient varieties for Australia, Asia and Africa.
In Australia, Varshney has focused on making genomic resources and precision-breeding technologies more accessible and practical. These efforts have implications for agricultural productivity, sustainability, grower profitability and the ability of farming systems to respond to challenging environmental conditions.
His work has also contributed to strengthening Australia’s agricultural biotechnology capability and connecting scientific research with industry and farming applications.
Varshney has trained more than 450 scientists around the world and has been an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM. His election to ATSE follows his election to The Royal Society in 2023 and the Australian Academy of Science in 2025.
His Fellowship highlights the growing importance of agricultural science and biotechnology in addressing food security, climate resilience and sustainable production.
Four Different Fields, One National Recognition
Although Dasgupta, Khuda, Kaur and Varshney work in very different fields, their careers demonstrate the broad range of expertise represented within Australia’s science and technology ecosystem.
Dasgupta’s work centres on nuclear physics and advanced scientific infrastructure, while Khuda has helped develop large-scale digital infrastructure. Kaur combines biotechnology and genomics with parliamentary policymaking, while Varshney focuses on agricultural biotechnology and crop improvement.
ATSE said its 2026 Fellows were elected for outstanding achievements across applied science and engineering, industry leadership, policymaking, research and commercialisation. The Academy’s new cohort includes 34 innovators from academia, industry, government and research.
ATSE President Dr Cathy Foley congratulated the new Fellows and emphasised that Fellowship is not only recognition of achievement but also carries a responsibility to contribute expertise to national conversations, government advice and STEM education and workforce development.
The 2026 Fellows will be formally showcased at the ATSE New Fellows Showcase in Sydney on October 28, alongside the Academy’s awards program.
The recognition of Mahananda Dasgupta, Robin Khuda, Parwinder Kaur and Rajeev Varshney highlights the diverse contributions being made across Australia’s scientific, technological, entrepreneurial and agricultural sectors, while also reflecting the growing importance of connecting research and innovation with practical outcomes for the wider community.
