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Trish Butera
External Relations
+61 419 482 184
p.butera@unsw.edu.au

Professor Michelle Simmons, 2018 Australian of the Year, will participate in the mateship program run by the Australian Embassy in Washington DC on 25-26 September 2018.     The program celebrates the breadth and depth of the relationship between Australia and the United States. Built on the foundation of a century-long military alliance, the partnership between the two countries now extends to many other areas of cooperation, including science, innovation and space policy. Professor Simmons’ visit to the US aims to promote the cutting-edge work on quantum computing in Australia, promote women in STEM, and other activities that highlight the Australian of the Year.     “I am very excited to be able to contribute to the 100 Years of Mateship initiative and further highlight Australia’s prominent role in quantum computing research and development”, Prof Simmons said.  “Having worked with many US-based teams during my research career, I am delighted to have this opportunity to showcase the US Australia alliance”.   Professor Simmons is an expert in quantum computing and has pioneered unique technologies internationally to build electronic devices at the atomic scale. As Director of the Australian Research Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology at UNSW Sydney, her team is at the forefront of developing a silicon-based quantum computer: a powerful new form of computing with the potential to transform information processing.   “It is an honour to have Professor Simmons visit us to showcase Australian innovation and ingenuity to our friends here in the United States,” Ambassador Cooper said. “As a world leader in her field of quantum physics, there is no doubt that Professor Simmons is a global role model for both women and men in STEM fields. With women making up only about one-fifth of the STEM workforce, Professor Simmons is raising the profile of science for women and girls worldwide.”   Professor Simmons program includes presentations at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a leading science and technology think-tank, on the state of quantum computing and a reception to be hosted by the Deputy Chief of Mission, Ambassador Katrina Cooper at the Australian Embassy.  She will also be attending The White House Summit on Advancing American Leadership in Quantum Information Science.   Event information: ITIF Event: https://itif.org/events/2018/09/25/state-quantum-computing-race-conversation-pioneering-australian-quantum-physicist

Embassy Reception will take place on Tue 25 September 2018, at 6pm local US ET and will be broadcast live on the Embassy’s social channels.