When Jennifer Flegg began studying mathematics as an undergraduate, she thought she might become an actuary. Instead, she found herself modelling something far more complex than financial risk or life expectancy: life itself.

Now, for her internationally recognised work in mathematical biology, Jen has been named a 2026 Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

“There aren’t many Science Academy fellows researching in mathematical biology,” she said. “I’m hoping this brings more recognition to the field in its own right.”

Jen is a Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Melbourne, where she develops mathematical models to tackle complex problems in biology and medicine. Her research has advanced understanding in areas ranging from wound healing and tumour growth to infectious disease spread.

Her work is deeply interdisciplinary, with impact extending beyond mathematics into medicine, immunology, computer science and the biological sciences.

“I love the interdisciplinary nature of mathematical biology,” she said. “I hope this honour highlights how important it is to work across disciplines to answer big scientific questions.”

As Deputy Director and a Chief Investigator of MACSYS, Jen is helping bridge the divide between “wet lab” and “dry lab” researchers. While the Centre’s long-term goal is to build whole-cell models, she says there is equal value in simply bringing different perspectives together.

“When people with different mindsets collaborate, they challenge assumptions that may have gone unquestioned for years,” she said. “That’s how breakthroughs happen.”

Alongside her research, Jen is a strong advocate for diversity in mathematics. She previously chaired and is still active in the Women in Mathematics Special Interest Group (WIMSIG) within the Australian Mathematical Society.

“The group supports women, trans and gender-diverse people in the mathematical sciences,” she said. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to work towards making mathematics more inclusive in Australia.”

She hopes her election to the Academy will also help drive change.

“I’d like to use this opportunity to advocate for greater diversity among the Academy’s Fellows.”

The honour continues a string of major accolades. In 2025, Jen received the ANZIAM EO Tuck Medal, the organisation’s top award for mid-career researchers. Earlier, she was awarded both the JH Michell Medal (ANZIAM) and the Christopher Heyde Medal (Science Academy) for early-career excellence, and in 2021 received the Leah Edelstein-Keshet Prize from the Society for Mathematical Biology.

But for Jen, the motivation remains simple.

“I love working with fantastic students, research fellows and collaborators,” she said. “It keeps me excited to keep learning.”

Congratulations, Jen, an honour that’s well deserved!