Five Monash Science researchers awarded ARC Future Fellowships – with women leading the way
Monash Science precinct
Monash University’s Faculty of Science is celebrating the success of five of its outstanding researchers awarded prestigious Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowships, representing nearly half of the University’s total fellowships this round.
Faculty of Science Dean, Professor Jordan Nash, congratulated the recipients, saying:
“These awards are a testament to the calibre of research talent in Monash Science. Our researchers are tackling critical questions from climate change impacts to the origins of planets, and it is fantastic to see their work recognised at this national level.”
Faculty of Science Deputy Dean Research, Professor Katya Pas, highlighted the success of the female Future Fellows in particular:
“To see three of these five fellowships awarded to women in science is inspiring. It speaks to the Faculty’s commitment to supporting women to lead world-class research, and to shape the future of their disciplines,” she said.
Nationally, the ARC awarded $114.6 million for 100 Future Fellowships, with Monash securing 13 fellowships worth $13,976,295 and Science winning five of these worth $4,992,948.
The 2025 Monash Science Future Fellows are:
- Dr Lesley Alton (School of Biological Sciences) – awarded $976,696
Project: Predicting the energetic costs of climate warming for ectothermic animals using Drosophila as a model to understand evolutionary adaptation to rising temperatures. - Dr Cameron Bentley (School of Chemistry) – awarded $965,638
Project: Developing multi-functional electrochemical imaging with a miniaturised lab-on-a-tip to transform our understanding of nanomaterials for energy technologies. - Associate Professor Kathryn Fitzsimmons (School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment) – awarded $1,280,213
Project: Investigating the aridification of Australia’s dryland margins to uncover how fossil deserts form and what future climate shifts may reactivate them. - Dr Rebecca Nealon (School of Physics and Astronomy) – awarded $795,000
Project: Solving the mysteries of warped discs to reveal how planets are born in evolving star systems. - Dr Haoran Ren (School of Physics and Astronomy) – awarded $975,401
Project: Creating reconfigurable integrated meta-photonic platforms on a chip for next-generation optical applications.
Professor Nash added:
“We are extremely proud of each of these researchers. Their projects not only advance fundamental science but also deliver knowledge and innovation with real-world impact for Australia and beyond.”
Professor Pas said:
“This result reinforces our Faculty as a place where exceptional science and equitable opportunities thrive.”
Read full details of the 2025 ARC Future Fellowships funding outcomes.
Find out more about the ARCs Future Fellowships scheme.
Further information
Silvia Dropulich
Marketing, Media & Communications Manager, Monash Science
T: +61 3 9902 4513 M: +61 435 138 743
Email: silvia.dropulich@monash.edu