In 2025, the TMOS Cross-Node and Partner Investigator Awards supported researchers to spend time with collaborators outside their home institutions—learning new techniques, accessing specialist facilities, developing experiments and strengthening research partnerships.

From Australia to the United States, Germany and Japan, these exchanges have already led to new capabilities, research outcomes and opportunities for future collaboration. We caught up with four 2025 award recipients to find out where their awards took them and what came from their visits.

Strengthening cross-node research leadership – Kosala Dhanawansha

Kosala Dhanawansha’s Partner Investigator Exchange Award supported a collaborative research visit to Sanjay Krishna’s group at The Ohio State University, focused on strengthening connections between TMOS nodes and advancing shared nanophotonics research capabilities. Working closely with host investigators, Kosala developed new experimental approaches by combining complementary expertise in fabrication and optical characterisation.

The visit delivered several tangible outcomes, including the establishment of joint experimental workflows, progress toward co-authored publications, and the identification of new collaborative funding opportunities. Access to specialised infrastructure also enabled the generation of preliminary data to support future grant applications and longer-term research partnerships.

Beyond these outputs, the exchange reinforced the strategic value of PI-level mobility in fostering Centre integration, deepening collaboration, and accelerating high-impact research across TMOS.

Accelerating international collaboration – Laura Valencia Molina

Supported by the Cross-Node and Partner Exchange Award, Laura Valencia Molina completed a research visit with Andrea Alù’s group at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center. Working within a leading metasurface research environment, Laura strengthened her technical skills and contributed to refining the joint project roadmap. The initial work began in New York, the final experimental and simulation stages will now continue at ANU. The collaboration is paving the way for a planned 2027 publication and has already sparked discussions for a follow-up project, reinforcing long-term international collaboration.

Building cross-node capability – Xiaoying Huang

Xiaoying Huang’s exchange, hosted by Igor Aharonovich (UTS), focused on advancing next-generation quantum light sources, contributing to scalable single-photon device development. The collaboration combined complementary expertise across nodes, resulting in promising experimental outcomes and a manuscript submitted to Nano Letters. The experience also supported career progression, with Xiaoying securing a postdoctoral research position following the visit.

From planning to results – Phuong Le

During a focused visit to Ilya Shadrivov’s group at ANU, Phuong Le translated months of planning into experimental outcomes, using advanced laser systems to develop rewritable thin-film devices. The visit generated high-quality data for publication and significantly accelerated the project timeline. The exchange also strengthened cross-node collaboration and provided valuable hands-on experience with new experimental techniques.

From learning new fabrication techniques and accessing specialised facilities to advancing experiments and building new research partnerships, these visits show what can happen when TMOS researchers have the opportunity to work side by side with collaborators.

The 2025 Cross-Node and Partner Investigator Awards have helped turn connections across TMOS and our partner network into practical research outcomes—while creating relationships and capabilities that continue well beyond the visits themselves.

Stay tuned as we share the stories and outcomes of our 2026 award recipients.