Associate Professor Jiawen Li named finalist for Mid-Career STEMM Professional of the Year.
QuTech Chief Investigator Associate Professor Jiawen Li has been named as a finalist in the Mid-Career STEMM Professional of the Year category at the 2026 South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards.
An internationally recognised engineer, Associate Professor Li is renowned for her pioneering work at the intersection of biomedical engineering, photonics, and advanced manufacturing. Her research has led to the development of some of the world’s smallest imaging and sensing devices—many no larger than a human hair—enabling new ways to see and measure inside the human body. These innovations have overcome long-standing challenges in fibre-optic imaging and are contributing to improved diagnosis and treatment in areas including cardiovascular disease, fertility care, and brain surgery.
Associate Professor Li has led the application of advanced nanoscale 3D printing techniques to create a new generation of miniature, flexible medical imaging devices with exceptional resolution and sensitivity. In 2024, she founded Theia Medical Pty Ltd, an Adelaide-based company focused on commercialising these breakthrough technologies and accelerating the delivery of life-saving diagnostic tools to clinicians.
Beyond her research achievements, Associate Professor Li is passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. Through extensive national and international media engagement, she has helped bring cutting-edge science to broader audiences while encouraging greater participation in STEMM careers, particularly among girls and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards celebrate the state’s most outstanding researchers and innovators whose work delivers significant scientific, economic, and community impact. Being named a finalist recognises Associate Professor Li’s exceptional contributions to medical technology innovation and her commitment to translating research into real-world healthcare solutions.
The QuTech community congratulates Associate Professor Jiawen Li on this well-deserved recognition and wishes her every success in the awards program.
Read more here: https://scienceawards.sa.gov.au/winners-and-finalists/mid-career-stemm-professional-of-the-year-2026-finalists
