Laureate Professor Kate Smith-Miles AO
Laureate Professor Kate Smith-Miles AO has dedicated her career to demonstrating the power of mathematics to contribute fresh perspectives on complex problems.
Powered by her natural curiosity and desire to collaborate with a wide range of people, her work has been a game changer in a wide range of applications - from the early detection of epidemics, reduction of carbon emissions from manufacturing through to ensuring community trust in algorithms.
Professor Smith-Miles has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, to applied mathematical research, and as a role model and advocate for women in STEM.
“Like most researchers, my natural curiosity is usually enough motivation to start thinking about a new problem, particularly if I can see how its solution could have a transformative impact in society,” Professor Smith-Miles says.
“I love collaborating with others to understand their problem and see how a mathematical lens can create new pathways to a solution.
“This honour tells me that my passion - to present evidence and communicate the power of mathematics to advance our society - is shared by others, and I feel encouraged to continue my advocacy.”
Professor Smith-Miles is Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor of Applied Mathematics and Director of the ARC Training Centre in Optimisation Technologies, Integrated Methodologies and Applications (OPTIMA) and at the University of Melbourne.
She has previous held positions at Monash University, Deakin University, the Australian Research Council, and she was the former president of the Australian Mathematical Society.
Professor Smith-Miles says her recognition wouldn’t exist without the people in her life.
“Despite how mathematics is usually portrayed in Hollywood movies, it is not an isolated activity. I am grateful to all my collaborators, students and industry partners who have worked with me to explore many fascinating problems and novel solutions,” she says.
“Of course, I am also grateful to my family and friends for ensuring that life is balanced with plenty of non-mathematical passions.”