Sri Lankan origin Scientist Karu Esselle honoured with prestigous 2023 Eureka award

Sydney, [Date] - Karu Esselle, a prominent Sri Lankan origin scientist, has been recognized with the 2023 Defense Department's Eureka Prize for his exceptional contributions to the use of science in the safeguarding Australia.

Karu Esselle, renowned for his expertise in telecommunications, defense, and space technologies.

Karu P. Esselle is an Australian scholar, professor, engineer, scientist and inventor. He is the Distinguished Professor in Electromagnetic and Antenna Engineering[1] at University of Technology Sydney, Australia. He is the leader of the MetaSteerers Team, which won Australia's national 2023 Department of Defence Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia.

He was named Australia's Professional Engineer of the Year for 2022 by Engineers Australia - the national body that oversees engineering practice and profession in Australia.

Eureka prizes are considered the Oscars of Australian Science. He is also a visiting professor of electronic engineering at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.

Esselle's other most recent awards include the top Space award in Australia – the "Winner of Winners" Excellence Award – as well as the Academic of Year Award at the 2022 Australian Space Awards, UTS 2022 Chancellor's Medal (which is the top Research Excellence award at UTS), Engineers Australia 2022 Sydney Professional Engineer of the Year title and the Bradfield Award (in addition to the national title mentioned previously), both the most prestigious Excellence Award and the Academic of the Year Award at 2021 Australian Defence Industry Awards, Finalist for the 2021 Australian National Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers, and the Runner Up for the same Eureka Prize in 2020.

The Eureka winners were announced at a black-tie awards ceremony at the Australian Museum, gathering hundreds of scientists from across the nation. A total of $180,000 in cash prizes was distributed among 18 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, celebrating outstanding achievements in Research and Innovation, Leadership, Science Engagement, and School Science.

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, now in their 33rd year, continue to recognise the country’s brightest scientific minds. Over the past three decades, more than $4.5 million in prize money and a total of 490 Eureka Prizes have been awarded.

Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, congratulated this year's winners and emphasised the importance of Australian scientific innovation in addressing global challenges.

“As the world faces unprecedented challenges such as accelerating climate change, Australian scientists continue to lead, innovate and inspire,” McKay said.

“Scientific knowledge and innovation is key to progress. Researchers and scientists help us understand how our universe works and how we can protect it. From the development of software that unravels the secrets of evolution to technological advancements that facilitate renewable energy projects, our collective futures depend on their contributions to build a resilient, sustainable world.

“The 2023 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes exemplify the breadth and depth of talent representing Australia on the international stage, showcasing remarkable achievements and innovations across various disciplines.