Professor Michelle Yvonne Simmons is a globally renowned quantum physicist and visionary leader in atomic electronics and quantum computing. Born in London in 1967, she earned a double degree in physics and chemistry followed by a PhD in physics from Durham University in 1992. After establishing her early reputation with groundbreaking work at Cambridge University's Cavendish Laboratory, she moved to Australia in 1999 where she has since transformed the nation's quantum research landscape. She currently serves as Scientia Professor of Physics and Director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology at the University of New South Wales. Professor Simmons has also founded and leads Silicon Quantum Computing Pty Ltd, Australia's first quantum computing company.
Professor Simmons pioneered the revolutionary field of atomic electronics, creating the world's first atomic-scale electronic devices including the smallest transistor ever built. Her team's precision manipulation of individual atoms in silicon has established unprecedented technological capabilities for quantum information processing. This foundational work earned her the prestigious US Foresight Institute Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology for creating the new field of atomic-electronics. Recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on quantum computing, her research provides the critical pathway toward practical silicon-based quantum computers that could revolutionize computing power. Her innovations in atomic-scale device fabrication have positioned Australia at the global forefront of quantum technology development.
As Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence, Professor Simmons leads a diverse team of more than 200 researchers across eight Australian universities, driving collaborative advances in quantum computing, communication, and sensing technologies. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019 and notably became the first female quantum physicist elected to the Royal Society of London in 2018. Her exceptional contributions were recognized when she was named Australian of the Year in 2018, highlighting her dual impact as both a scientific pioneer and inspirational leader. Professor Simmons continues to advance the commercialization of quantum computing through her company while maintaining her commitment to training the next generation of quantum scientists. Her ongoing work promises to deliver transformative computing capabilities that could solve problems intractable to classical supercomputers.
