Person
Ho-Baillie, Anita Wing Yi
- Occupation
- Materials scientist and Nanotechnologist
- Website
- https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9849-4755
Summary
Anita Ho-Baillie is a world leader in solar cell research. Her interests lie in engineering materials and devices at the nanoscale for applying solar cells to all kinds of surfaces, generating clean energy. She is well-known for her integrated photovoltaics research and achievements in solar-cell energy efficiency. In 2020 Ho-Baillie was appointed the inaugural John Hooke Chair in Nanoscience at the University of Sydney. Before that she was Program Manager, Perovskite Solar Cell Research at the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics. Her achievements have been recognised with the award of prizes including the Warren Prize from the Royal Society of New South Wales and the Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science from the Australian Academy of Science.
Details
" Professor Anita Ho-Baillie is a pioneer in developing next-generation solar cells which will play a key role in the transition to a carbon-free-economy. Traditional silicon-based solar cells are inefficient at converting high-energy light into electricity. Professor Ho-Baillie's research centres on multi-junction solar cells, utilising a range of semiconductor materials to absorb different sections of the solar spectrum within a single cell, significantly enhancing energy conversion efficiency. She has achieved record efficiencies for multi-junction solar cells utilising metal halide perovskites. Her recent breakthrough addresses the issue of perovskite cell degradation in heat and humidity. This marks a pivotal step toward durable, commercially viable perovskite cells and solidifies her role in advancing this technology. Beyond research, Professor Ho-Baillie is deeply committed to inspiring young minds in STEM fields and science communication. She is a regular speaker at the Harry Messel International Science School, engaging high-calibre high-school students worldwide. She is also a popular public speaker for science outreach, contributing to numerous National Science Week events." [from https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/awards-and-opportunities-2/honorific-awardees/2024-awardees#millis 2026-02-03]
Chronology
- ? - 2019
- Career position - Associate Professor, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales
- 2005
- Education - PhD, University of New South Wales
- 2020 -
- Career position - Inaugural John Hooke Chair in Nanoscience, University of Sydney
- 2020 - 2025
- Career position - Adjunct Professor, University of New South Wales
- 2022
- Award - Warren Prize, Royal Society of New South Wales
- 2023 -
- Award - Fellow, Royal Society of Engineering
- 2024
- Award - Scientist of the Year, Australian Space Awards
- 2024
- Award - Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science , Australian Academy of Science
- 2025
- Award - Prize for Excellence in Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry or Physics, New South Wales Premier's Prizes for Science & Engineering
- 2025
- Award - Eureka Prize for Sustainability Research, Australian Museum
Related entries
Published resources
Resources
- Nancy Millis Medal, Australian Academy of Science, 2022. https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/awards-and-opportunities/nancy-millis-medal-women-science. Details
- NSW Premier's Prizes for Science & Engineering: 2025 category winners, Office of the New South Wales Chief Scientist and Engineer, Sydney, 2025. https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/events/nsw-premiers-prizes-for-science-and-engineering/2025-category-winners. Details
Helen Cohn
Created: 3 February 2026