MACSYS Research Fellow Dr Thomas Williams has been selected for a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity, becoming one of only nine early‑career researchers from Australia chosen to attend the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany.

Thomas is a mathematical and computational biologist with MACSYS at The University of Melbourne. The Australian Academy of Science selected him to represent Australia at the prestigious international meeting, which will bring together more than 600 outstanding young scientists from nearly 90 countries.

The event will also host around 75 Nobel Laureates, giving emerging researchers rare opportunities to hear first‑hand accounts of prize‑winning discoveries and to engage directly with the scientists behind them.

“The chance to hear about Nobel Prize‑winning work directly from the scientists themselves is a pretty surreal prospect,” said Thomas.

The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings are held annually in Lindau, Germany. Each year traditionally highlights a specific scientific discipline, but this year’s meeting will be interdisciplinary, bringing together researchers and laureates from across the Nobel sciences.

“Interdisciplinary is a wonderfully vague category of science,” said Thomas. “I’m looking forward to seeing the full sweep of interesting topics that fall under that banner.”

Beyond the formal program, the meeting provides a unique space for early‑career researchers to share their work, exchange ideas, and build international networks with peers from around the world.

“I’m keen to meet as many other researchers as possible and learn about the exciting work they’re doing,” said Thomas.

“It will be great to learn about new science, as well as to hear from the world’s best scientists about how to work effectively across disciplines.”

The 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting will run from 28 June to 3 July. The Australian delegation’s participation is proudly supported through the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF) and administered by the Australian Academy of Science.

The nine Australian Lindau delegates receive a grant to support their attendance and will also take part in the SIEF Research Innovation Tour in Berlin, showcasing Germany’s leading research and development facilities connected to interdisciplinary science.

“I’m ecstatic to be chosen for this,” said Thomas. “It’s an incredible opportunity, not just to hear about new research, but to learn new approaches to doing research and working across disciplines.”

Congratulations, Thomas!