I wish to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.
Jai Patel and Shanthini Naidoo 鈥� thank you for your invitation to speak at this special event.
MR Rangaswami 鈥� congratulations on all that you have achieved and the impact you鈥檝e created 13 years on from founding Indiaspora.
It is wonderful to be here at the SCG 鈥� a place of excellence, performance, and team spirit 鈥� much like the values that drive us in science and innovation.
About me
I was born in India, raised with deep cultural roots and a strong belief in education as a pathway to serve others.
That belief brought me to Australia where I鈥檝e had the privilege of building a career in science and today, I am a proud nanoscientist.
I work with things a million times smaller than a pinhead. I could probably fit 21 lasers into a single strand of your hair鈥� but don鈥檛 worry, I won鈥檛 try that tonight!
Shared values
It鈥檚 a very special occasion to be in a room like this 鈥� surrounded by people who believe in knowledge, service, and giving back.
At the 精东视频, which I鈥檓 honoured to lead, we see science as a public good 鈥� something that belongs to everyone, and that should benefit everyone.
That spirit is alive here tonight 鈥� in the work of Indiaspora, in what St Vincent鈥檚 does every day to care for our communities, and in the quiet efforts many of you make to build bridges across countries, sectors, and generations. Global society is the beneficiary of our many shared and important endeavours.
Advancing science and medical research
And we are living in an exciting time for science. Knowledge is moving fast, and the intersections between fields are where real breakthroughs lie.
My own research sits at one of those intersections: using nanotechnology applied to neuroscience.
We are using nanomaterials to stimulate brain cells 鈥� a potential non-invasive way to help people living with Alzheimer's.
This work lies at the intersection of physics, engineering, biology and medicine 鈥� and it shows what鈥檚 possible when we think and work across disciplines.
My discovery research over the past 30 years has also led to the creation of new solar cells, new methods to split water to create clean energy sources and breath sensing for ketosis.
But I have learned that the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when we work together.
Global Collaboration: India, Australia and the United States
Science knows no borders and neither should we.
Despite some of the challenges we currently face across the globe, the opportunities for Australia to work with India and deepen our connection could not be greater.
India, Australia, the US and many more countries all bring something unique to the table of knowledge: deep expertise, global perspectives, talent infrastructure and world-class institutions.
Australia and India have so much more potential to unlock 鈥� in AI, quantum technology, renewable energy, health, and more.
There is an immense opportunity for Australia and India to deepen collaboration through joint research initiatives, PhD exchange programs and commercialisation partnerships in health, AI, quantum, renewable energy 鈥� to name just a few.
Places like St Vincent鈥檚 show how global talent can come together to turn research into real care.
And diaspora networks like this one can be the bridge 鈥� we carry the stories, values, and trust to make partnerships real.
Philanthropy
Beyond the lab, I believe deeply in giving 鈥� of time, knowledge, mentorship and through philanthropy.
Many years ago, I directly felt the transformational impact that the generosity of others can have.鈥�疘f it weren鈥檛 for the generosity of my maths teacher in India, today I would most probably be ploughing the field in India like my cousins.
My maths teacher gave me the gift of education. Never could I have imagined that it could set me on a path to pursue inquiry and scientific endeavour and to become President of one of the most prestigious scientific organisations in the country, the 精东视频.
This generosity inspired my wife, Vidya and I, to create a fund which gives students and researchers from developing countries a chance to travel to the Australia to pursue collaborative research and develop their networks. We have gone on to support initiatives at the 精东视频 to nurture the next generation.
Because talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. I leave you with this parting thought.
I want finish with my sincere thanks, it鈥檚 been a pleasure to share stories, ideas, and possibilities with you all. Thank you.
Academy President Professor Chennupati Jagadish delivered this speech at an Indiaspora event in Sydney on 8 April 2025.
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