Professor Tanya Monro has been appointed as Australia's Chief Defence Scientist to lead the Defence Science and Technology (DST) group.
Professor Monro, who will commence her new role in March, is currently deputy vice chancellor and vice president of research and innovation at the University of South Australia.
As an internationally recognised expert in photonics, she previously established and led the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) at the University of Adelaide. Her research on how light can be generated, controlled and used to probe and manipulate matter has created significant impact in areas spanning manufacturing, telecommunications, defence and health.
Professor Monro has extensive experience working with and in industry, and has an established network across Defence Industry and Defence.
She was also a member of the Prime Minister's Science Council and the SA Premier's Science and Industry Council.
Professor Monro will replace Dr Alex Zelinsky, who departed from the role in November 2018.