Meet Nalini Joshi: Indian-origin mathematician who predicts humans will have 'quantum money' in 20 years

Nalini Joshi, a globally respected mathematician of Indian origin, has been named the 2025 NSW Scientist of the Year, marking the first time a mathematician has received the state’s highest scientific honour.

Professor Joshi received the award at the NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science ceremony held at Government House in Sydney. The recognition places her at the forefront of scientific achievement in New South Wales and shows how important mathematics is in tackling future technological challenges.

Joshi is currently the Chair of Applied Mathematics at the University of Sydney. She is widely regarded as a world leader in integrable systems. She also made history as the first woman to be appointed Professor of Mathematics at the university.

Joshi’s current work focuses on one of the most urgent issues facing the digital world: quantum cryptography. Quantum computers are expected to revolutionise fields such as drug design and materials science, but they also pose a serious threat to existing cybersecurity systems.

She has warned that governments and industry are unprepared for this shift. “Twenty years ago we didn’t have smartphones. Now we rely on them for almost every part of our lives, from paying for coffee to checking our bank balances. In 20 years, we will be walking around with quantum-enabled devices filled with quantum money. But our industry base has very little knowledge of how to protect us in that future, and Australia has less than a dozen citizens with the expertise needed to help them,” she said.

"Mathematics is central to secure our quantum future," Joshi said, according to the University of Sydney.

Professor Joshi has received numerous national and international honours. She served as the first Australian Vice-President of the International Mathematical Union from 2019 to 2022 and is an honorary member of the London Mathematical Society. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016 for her services to mathematics.

She is also a University of Sydney graduate and University Medallist. Joshi completed her doctorate at Princeton University. Beyond her research, she is a passionate advocate for mathematics, women and minority groups, and is known for mentoring young researchers. In 2018, she received the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentorship of Young Researchers.

The 2025 Premier’s Prizes for Science also recognised two other University of Sydney academics. Professor Anita Ho-Baillie received the NSW Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry or Physics, while Professor Paul Keall was awarded the NSW Premier’s Prize for Leadership in Innovation in NSW.