10 November 2026

Future innovators showcase

Join us for an engaging presentation and Q&A session to hear from three talented emerging leaders about their work and career journey and learn how the Australian Nanomanufacturing Challenges (ANMFC) is inspiring young Australians, building innovation skills, and creating pathways into future STEM and advanced manufacturing careers.

Register now

Future Innovators Showcase 2026

Inspiring Innovation, Empowering People, Shaping Australia's Future

How do we transform scientific discoveries into real-world impact? How can we inspire the next generation to become the innovators, entrepreneurs and technology leaders of tomorrow?

Join the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) for an inspiring evening celebrating emerging leaders, groundbreaking technologies and the power of science and engineering to shape a better future.

Featuring three outstanding innovators, Dr Lei Bao, Dr Marzi Barghamadi and Dr Jiahui Li, this special event brings together diverse perspectives spanning advanced materials, nanotechnology, clean energy, health technologies, research leadership and STEM education. Discover their journeys, the challenges they have overcome, and how they are turning scientific excellence into meaningful impact.

Their stories offer something valuable for everyone, far beyond the world of science. Through personal experiences of overcoming challenges, pursuing ambitious ideas and building successful careers, the speakers will share practical insights into creativity, leadership and innovation. Their journeys will inspire audiences from all backgrounds to discover new opportunities, unlock their potential and make a meaningful difference in their careers and communities.

A special highlight will be the Australian Nano-Manufacturing Future Challenge (ANMFC), an ATSE-sponsored initiative that empowers young Australians to become creators, problem-solvers and future technology leaders. Through hands-on experiences with AI, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies, ANMFC is connecting classrooms with world-leading research and industry, demonstrating that innovation begins with curiosity, creativity and the confidence to turn ideas into reality.

More than a showcase of scientific achievements, this is a celebration of people, possibilities and Australia's innovation future.

Whether you are a researcher, industry leader, educator, student or simply passionate about the future of technology, join us for an engaging evening of ideas, inspiration, networking and discussion.

Be inspired by today's innovators. Help shape tomorrow's breakthroughs.

Speakers

HEADSHOT VIC Future Innovators 261110 1
Dr Lei Bao is an interdisciplinary materials scientist and engineer and a Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Environmental Engineering at RMIT University. Lei leads an interdisciplinary research team developing advanced materials and nanoplatforms for applications spanning sustainable technologies, environmental sensing, disease diagnosis, and treatment. Lei is also committed to fostering an inclusive research environment where students and early-career researchers can develop and thrive in STEM. She has received several competitive fellowships and prestigious awards, including the NHMRC Investigator Grant (2026), the ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (2019), the 2026 Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2026), the RMIT Research Excellence Award for Early Career Researchers (2019), and the Australian Colloid and Interface Society Female ECR Award (2017).
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HEADSHOT VIC Future Innovators 261110 2
Dr Marzi Barghamadi has10 years’ experience spanning battery materials, clean energy and critical minerals. Starting as an experimental scientist, her career has evolved into project leadership, industry engagement, Research Team Leader and Business Development Manager. Recently she has completed her MBA with Melbourne Business School. Her research achievements have been recognised through a few fellowships and awards including the 2020 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship and 2023 ATSE David & Valerie Solomon Award.
As her career has progressed, Marzi has become increasingly passionate about people development and creating opportunities for others to grow. She has mentored early-career researchers and served as a Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Lead at CSIRO. She has also been involved with the RACI Victoria Women in Chemistry Group since 2014 and served as Chair in 2019.
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HEADSHOT VIC Future Innovators 261110 3
Dr Jiahui Li is Co-Founder of the Australian Nano-Manufacturing Future Challenge (ANMFC) and a postdoctoral researcher at RMIT University’s Centre for Atomaterials and Nanomanufacturing (CAN). His research spans advanced materials, composite structures and additive manufacturing, but his passion extends beyond the laboratory: he is deeply committed to inspiring young people to discover the excitement of creating, experimenting and solving real-world problems through STEM.
Drawing on his research expertise and hands-on experience in digital fabrication, Jiahui brings engineering to life by encouraging students to imagine an idea, build it, test it, learn from it and make it better. He believes that giving young people the confidence to create is just as important as teaching them scientific knowledge.
Through ANMFC, Jiahui works closely with researchers, educators and industry mentors to open doors for primary and secondary students-helping them experience emerging technologies firsthand, discover their own creative potential and see that they too can become the scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and innovators shaping the future.
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Date

Tuesday 10 November 2026

Location

Location Icon Graduate House, University of Melbourne, 220 Leicester St, Carlton VIC 3053

Time

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Cost

In-Person Dinner: $45
Online: Free
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