Centre CIs named new Fellows of the AAS and RSV

The Centre is proud to celebrate a remarkable achievement by four Centre members - Director Elisabetta Barberio and CI Alan Duffy, have been elected Fellows of The Royal Society of Victoria (RSV), and CIs Nicole Bell and Celine Boehm have been named Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science.

Fellowship is the RSV’s highest honour, recognising leaders in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM), as well as science communication, who have made distinguished contributions in Victoria, Australia and internationally.

Professor Barberio and Professor Duffy are among the society's 2026 cohort of 21 Fellows announced at a private ceremony today.

Professor Barberio of the University of Melbourne was recognised for internationally distinguished contributions to particle physics, dark matter research, and scientific leadership in Australia.

Professor Duffy of Swinburne University of Technology was recognised for distinguished contributions to astrophysics, scientific entrepreneurship, and public engagement with science.

President of the Royal Society of Victoria, Rob Gell AM, said the Fellowship recognised individuals whose work continues to shape the future of science and society.

“At a time when the world faces increasingly complex challenges such as climate change, global health and rapidly changing technologies, recognising scientific leadership and lifelong dedication to research has never been more important.” Mr Gell said.

“Behind every major scientific achievement are years of commitment and collaboration. This cohort represents the decades of extraordinary contributions that Victorian scientists continue to make to safeguard our future.”

Professor Boehm and Bell were among 24 scientists named new Fellows of the AAS.

“Celebrating our new Fellows is a reminder of the vital role science plays in addressing the challenges we face as a society,” says Chennupati Jagadish, Academy President.