Pioneer physicist michelle simmons "Australian of the year" Awarded

Australian of the year Awards
Quantum physicist Prof Michelle Simmons, from the University of New South Wales

A London-born scientist who has pioneered research into advanced computing has been named Australian of the Year.

Prof Michelle Simmons, 50, has helped put Australia at the centre of "the space race of the computing era", the National Australia Day Council said.

Australia's most prestigious civic honour is awarded each year to a person considered a national role model.

PM Malcolm Turnbull presented the award at a ceremony in Canberra on Thursday.

Prof Simmons, a quantum physics professor, led a team that in 2012 created the world's first transistor made from only a single atom.

The University of New South Wales scientist aims to build a quantum computer to "solve problems in minutes which would otherwise take thousands of years", the committee said.

"Such a discovery has the potential to revolutionise drug design, weather forecasting, self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence and much more," it said in a statement.

She was also celebrated for being a role model to young scientists, particularly women.

Prof Simmons is a graduate of Durham University and moved to Australia in 1999 before becoming a citizen eight years later.

She succeeds another research pioneer, Prof Alan Mackay-Sim, as Australian of the Year.