Professor Tanya Monro commenced as Chief Defence Scientist in March 2019. In this role she is head of Defence Science and Technology Group and Capability Manager for Innovation, Science and Technology within the Australian Department of Defence. As the Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Monro has principal responsibility for the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator that has a driving focus to accelerate vital capabilities for the Australian Defence Force through innovation.
In June 2022, Professor Monro was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to scientific and technological development, to research and innovation, to tertiary education, particularly in the field of photonics, and to professional organisations.
Other honours and awards include: the Bragg Gold Medal for the best physics PhD thesis by an Australian university student, Prime Minister's Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year, SA Australian of the Year, Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research, and Australian Research Council Georgina Sweet Laureate Fellowship.
Professor Monro obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in physics from The University of Sydney, and was awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship at the University of Southampton. Her previous roles include Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation at the University of South Australia and inaugural director of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Bio Photonics at the University of Adelaide.
For contributions to optics engineering and advancing Australian national security, Professor Monro is an International Member of the United States National Academy of Engineering. Professor Monro is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, the Optical Society of America and the Australian Institute of Physics.