We are delighted to announce that Professor Paul Keall, Director of the Image X Institute and NHMRC Leadership Fellow at the University of Sydney, has been awarded the Premier’s Prize for Leadership in Innovation at the 2025 Premier’s Prizes for Science & Engineering.
Held on 19 November, the Premier’s Prizes recognise excellence in science and engineering across New South Wales. These prestigious awards honour researchers and educators whose work delivers significant economic, environmental, health, social and technological benefits for the state, while encouraging community appreciation of STEM and inspiring future generations.
“Thank you for your dedication and for helping shape a brighter future for NSW. Congratulations once again!” – NSW Premier Chris Minns
Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“Our state boasts a research and innovation sector that is the envy of the world. These awards are the NSW Government’s chance to recognise the best of the best.”
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said:
“Another year, another extraordinary cohort of research and educational excellence. Last night, we saluted leading work in dementia risk reduction, detection and treatment of stress responses in coral reefs, and technology that has improved the lives of literally millions of cancer patients, to name just three areas.”
Recognising leadership in transforming cancer care
The Leadership in Innovation Award celebrates individuals who apply novel ideas and technologies to address complex challenges and generate new knowledge for the benefit of NSW. Professor Keall’s career exemplifies this commitment.
A world-leading medical physics researcher, Professor Keall works with scientific teams, clinical partners and global collaborators to develop cutting-edge cancer imaging and targeted radiation therapy technologies—and to translate these advances into real-world patient benefit.
His innovations have improved the lives of millions of cancer patients, delivered economic and workforce benefits for NSW, and played a major role in training the next generation of medical physics scientists and engineers.
Impact through innovation
One of Professor Keall’s most influential contributions is the development of four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT), a landmark method for imaging the lungs during breathing. Now its own field of research and a widely used clinical tool worldwide, 4DCT has transformed the precision of radiation therapy for thoracic and abdominal cancers.
Across his career, Professor Keall has led the creation of numerous medical devices, resulting in more than 40 patents, 20 licences to 10 companies, and five globally available products, with another five currently in development. His work has directly strengthened NSW’s innovation pipeline in cancer technology.
He is also the founder of SeeTreat, a NSW-based startup dedicated to delivering globally accessible personalised cancer therapy devices. SeeTreat now employs more than 20 highly qualified staff, including eight PhD-trained scientists, and continues to expand NSW’s deep-tech sector.
Professor Keall has led 13 clinical trials, including eight first-in-human studies, accelerating translation from concept to clinical use.
A globally recognised leader
Prior to joining the University of Sydney, Professor Keall served as Director of Radiation Physics at Stanford University. His contributions to cancer imaging and radiation therapy are internationally recognised. ExpertScape currently ranks him #1 in the world among more than 10,000 scientists and clinicians in image-guided radiotherapy.
He has published over 400 scientific papers, with more than 32,000 citations and an h-index of 90, reflecting the global impact and influence of his work.
The Image X Institute congratulates Professor Paul Keall on this outstanding achievement and celebrates the profound contributions he has made and continues to make, to improving cancer outcomes for patients in NSW and around the world.
Read more:
Awards website
https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/events/nsw-premiers-prizes-for-science-and-engineering
PDF Booklet of the Awards
https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/5347/250918_OCSE_A5_PPSEBooklet_WEB.pdf
Ministerial Media Release
“Our state boasts a research and innovation sector that is the envy of the world. These awards are the NSW Government’s chance to recognise the best of the best.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/world-leading-mathematician-professor-nalini-joshi-named-nsw-scientist-of-year
Australian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine
https://www.acpsem.org.au/ccms.r?Pageid=6007&tenid=ACPSEM&DispMode=goto%7C10763
View all category winners
https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/events/nsw-premiers-prizes-for-science-and-engineering/2025-category-winners