Karu Esselle

Karu Esselle is a Distinguished Professor in Electromagnetic & Antenna Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), leading the School of Electrical and Data Engineering. He holds prestigious fellowships from the Royal Society of Australia, IEEE, and Engineers Australia. His research focuses on antenna systems, satellite communications, and defense technologies, with over 750 publications and an h-index of 62.

• Affiliations: UTS, Macquarie University (former roles: Director of WiMed Research Centre, Associate Dean – HDR).
• Education: BSc (First Class Honours, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka), MASc/PhD (University of Ottawa, Canada).

Research interests include advanced antenna systems for space, defense, and wearable technologies. His MetaSteerers Team won the 2023 Eureka Prize for Safeguarding Australia. Awards span innovation, engineering, and mentorship, including the 2024 NSW Premier’s Innovation Leadership Prize.

• Awards Highlights: Eureka Prize, Professional Engineer of the Year, Australian Space Excellence Award.

He leads over A$35 million in grants, including SmartSat CRC funding, and has mentored high-impact PhD students. Collaborates with global entities like the Australian Defence Force, NASA, and international governments.