May 22, 2025
Trailblazing researchers named 2025 Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science
Professor David Adams and Professor Aidan Sims honoured for immense contributions to neurophysiology, mathematics
A pre-eminent neurophysiologist who has unearthed a promising new opioid-free painkiller derived from deadly sea snails and a theoretical mathematician whose research has helped to unlock the complex field of operator algebras have been honoured for their inimitable contributions to science.
University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ (UOW) researchers and were among the newly elected 2025 Fellows announced today (Thursday 22 May) by the .
There are 26 Fellows this year, who have been elected to the Academy for their outstanding work across the spectrum of research disciplines. This is the first time two UOW academics have been recognised as Fellows in the same year.
Professor Adams, who works at UOW's Molecular Horizons research institute, is an internationally recognised leader in membrane physiology and neuroscience, researching how cells communicate and how the nervous system functions. As part of his impressive body of work, Professor Adams has studied and identified numerous peptides (small proteins), particularly conotoxins, a family of neurotoxic compounds derived from the highly venomous marine cone snail.
The venom-derived molecules can precisely block pain signals in sensory nerves, offering a promising new approach to treating chronic pain without the side effects of traditional painkillers, such as opioids.
Distinguished Professor David Adams
Professor Adams was delighted to be included among the prestigious list of current and former Fellows.
“I am truly humbled and honoured to be recognised and elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Sciences. It affirms the value of the research I’ve pursued and motivates me to continue contributing meaningfully to the field," he said.
“I’m also pleased to join my colleagues at UOW, Distinguished Professors Gordon Wallace and Noel Cressie and the Incoming Vice-Chancellor, Professor Max Lu, who are also Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science.
“I hope my election raises the profile of biomedical research at UOW and inspires others to stay curious and committed.”
Professor Sims, from UOW’s School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, has made groundbreaking contributions to the field of pure mathematics. His research seeks to understand the mathematics that underpins quantum mechanics and quantum computing.
His work in theoretical mathematics has generated enduring research activity, solved significant open problems, and established unexpected connections across mathematics. He helped to develop a new field of study, known as "higher-rank graph C*-algebras", from infancy into a major research field.
Another significant achievement was establishing a long-sought ‘Rosetta Stone’ - a framework that translates between two mathematical languages (Leavitt path algebras and graph operator algebras), allowing insights from one to solve problems in the other.
Distinguished Professor Aidan Sims
It is a deep honour, Professor Sims said, to be recognised among the highly esteemed Fellows, drawn from diverse fields of Australian science.
“The list of names of previously elected Fellows and the list of other new Fellows this year include people I have looked up to all my career. It feels surreal to be numbered among them,” he said.
“I’m enormously grateful to my nominators, my sponsors and my referees, to all the people who have supported and mentored me, and to my students, postdocs and colleagues who have contributed so much to the mathematical achievements that my election recognises.
“Most especially, I am profoundly grateful to the late Iain Raeburn, my wonderful supervisor, mentor, collaborator and friend, my debt to whom I never cease trying to pay forward.”
As newly elected Fellows, Professor Adams and Professor Sims will be formally admitted to the Australian Academy of Science and will present their research during an event in Canberra in September.