Australian and New Zealand Optical Society Awards

This is an excellent opportunity to nominate colleagues in optics and photonics to showcase their outstanding contributions and be recognised for their exceptional work in the field of optics and photonics. They are prizes for every career stage. In 2024, Professor Cather Simpson FRSNZ was the recipient of the W.H. (Beattie) Steel Medal, the most prestigious ANZOS award.

Will another Kiwi be an award winner this year? See available prizes. 

2024 W.H. (Beattie) Steel Medal recipient:
Professor Cather Simpson FRSNZ

“Professor Simpson has made many groundbreaking discoveries in the field of ultrafast physics and chemistry and biomedical diagnostics which have impacted on important areas of both fundamental and applied science. Her career has always been strongly interdisciplinary, and over many years Professor Simpson has played a major role in developing and stimulating the New Zealand optics community to transfer results from basic research into applied technology. Professor Simpson is an amazing mentor as testified by the successes of her colleagues and students.

Her research has had high impact worldwide from both the fundamental science and engineering communities, she has a remarkable patent portfolio, and she is frequently invited to present her work at major science and industry events. Cather has combined her achievements in basic research with extremely effective entrepreneurship and technology transfer, and a real commitment to apply her work for societal benefit. Professor Simpson, as well as her companies have received a very large number of national and international recognitions and distinctions demonstrating the evidence of both the national and international impact of her research, service, and innovation in the field of optics in Australia and New Zealand."