Defence SA has welcomed Professor Tanya Monro’s recent appointment as new Chief Defence Scientist and head of Defence Science and Technology (DST).

Professor Monro, who currently serves as Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation and an ARC Georgina Sweet Laureate Fellow at the University of South Australia, will be the first woman to fill the role of Chief Defence Scientist at DST.

Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price congratulated Professor Monro on her recent appointment and said she will continue to drive quality research and advice for Defence.

“Professor Monro brings a wealth of experience to the role working in senior leadership positions and I am confident she will successfully lead and further develop DST’s growing links with universities and industry,” he said.

“DST plays an important role in defending Australia and its national interests by supporting the Australian Defence Force and sovereign defence capability.

“Defence SA has developed an excellent working relationship with DST senior leadership and I look forward to continuing this close cooperation.”

Prof Monro was the inaugural Director of the Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) from 2008 to 2014 and was also the inaugural Director for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics at the University of South Australia.

Her research is in the field of photonics, with a focus on sensing, lasers and new classes of optical fibers.

She is due to start the new role in March 2019.