Dr Ekta Sharma
| Name | Dr Ekta Sharma |
|---|---|
| Email Address | ekta.sharma@unisq.edu.au |
| Job Title | Lecturer (Mathematics) |
| Qualifications | BSc Delhi, MSc Delhi, MPhil Delhi, PhD USQ |
| Department | School of Mathematics, Physics and Computing |
| Affiliations | Centre for Astrophysics |
| Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences | |
| ORCID | https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3692-382X |
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Biography
Dr Ekta Sharma is an early career research academic at UniSQ. She is an author and a trailblazing artificial intelligence (AI) researcher in atmospheric (air quality) and space satellite sustainability (national intelligence community). Her primary field of research (FOR) code is Atmospheric Sciences (370100), 4611 (Machine Learning), 4602 (Artificial Intelligence) and Satellite Communications (400606).
Her work has been commended by the Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission to India for her innovative AI approach to early warning systems and air quality. With a success rate of 4%, she was the sole Queensland recipient of a National Intelligence Grant from the Office of National Intelligence (Canberra), enabling her to contribute to significant strategic projects for the Australian Government.
She has worked in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) in Asia, Europe, and Australia. Her bachelor's and dual master’s in operations research and mathematical sciences allow her to implement AI processes effectively and sustainably. Dr Sharma has developed data-driven solutions for organisations such as the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Office of National Intelligence (ONI), Bureau of Meteorology, and Swiss Telecom. She has authored seven non-profit books focused on empowering women and promoting gender diversity that have been launched globally on Women's International Day since 2018.
She has received competitive grants from the Department of Defence, Office of National Intelligence, The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI), and the ECR Joint Fellowship from India-Australia for air quality.
Awards (2019-25)
2025
# ECR Joint Fellowship Award from India-Australia in air quality.
2024
# Winner, Women in AI Asia Pacific (APAC) award
# Top Six Trailblazer Women in AI in Australia by 'Day of AI'
# AI Trailblazer by 'The Choice'.
2023
# Winner, Women in Technology Award for Inspiring Excellence in Research and Education
# Finalist, Queensland Women in STEMM.
2022
# VC award for excellence in Doctoral Research
# Commendation, Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission to India.
2019
# BHP-sponsored Choose Maths grant from AMSI.
Employment
| Position | Organisation | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecturer (Mathematics) & Researcher (Artificial Intelligence) | University of Southern Queensland | 2024 | |
| Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellow for Women in STEMM | University of Southern Queensland | 2022 | 2024 |
| Learning Advisor | University of Southern Queensland | 2018 | 2019 |
| National Intelligence Community Research Fellow (AI) | Australian Government | 2022 | 2024 |
| Artificial Intelligence APR Researcher | Defence Science and Technology Group, APR | 2020 | 2021 |
| Scientist, Institute of Data Analysis and Process Design | ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences | 2011 | 2012 |
| Area Manager (Mathematics) | Luchsinger Mathematics Aktiengesellschaft Switzerland | 2008 | 2009 |
| Academic Consultant | Institute of Management Studies, India | 2003 | 2007 |
Expertise
Applied Artificial Intelligence in atmospheric (air quality) and space satellite sustainability
Teaching
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Undergraduate and Masters Teaching
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# ENM1500 - Introductory Engineering Mathematics – Examiner and Course Coordinator
# ENM1600 - Engineering Mathematics
# CSC6003 - Machine Learning
# MAT5300 - Applied Operations Research A
# MAT6400 - Applied Operations Research B
# MAT2200 - Operations Research 1
# MAT3201 - Operations Research 2
# MSC8001 Research Project Methodology - Supervisor
# MSC8002 Research Project Dissertation - Supervisor
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Postgraduate and Higher Degree Teaching:
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# PhD - Principal & Associate Supervisor
# MSCR & MSCN - Principal & Associate Supervisor
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Administrative Responsibilities
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Postgraduate Thesis Examiner Appointment
# University of Delhi, India.
# GGS Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India.
# ETH, Zurich.
# The University of Fiji.
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Books
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Launched every International Women’s Day on all major global platforms: SHE Series of books (7 till now in collaboration with SHE Writer Group and Bose Creative Publishers -Changemakers)
** Link: https://www.bosecreativepublishers.ch/order-books
Fields of Research
- 370102. Air pollution processes and air quality measurement
- 370103. Atmospheric aerosols
- 370106. Atmospheric radiation
- 370108. Meteorology
- 400606. Satellite communications
- 400607. Signal processing
- 400608. Wireless communication systems and technologies (incl. microwave and millimetrewave)
- 461103. Deep learning
- 461105. Reinforcement learning
Professional Membership
| Professional Membership | Year |
|---|---|
| The Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) | |
| ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS) | |
| Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) | |
| The Australian and New Zealand Association of Mathematical Physics (ANZAMP) | |
| Australian Data Science Network (ADSN) | |
| National Tertiary Education Union | |
| Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) | |
| Australian Mathematical Society (MAustMS), Australia |
Current Supervisions
| Research Title | Supervisor Type | Level of Study | Commenced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implementing Wireless Mesh Networks to Improve Internet Connectivity in Rural Communities | Associate Supervisor | Masters | 2025 |
| A Deep Learning-Based Framework for Depression Detection Using EEG and MRI Data | Associate Supervisor | Masters | 2025 |
| Future-proofed Artificial Intelligence for Disasters Management | Associate Supervisor | Doctoral | 2024 |
Completed Supervisions
| Research Title | Supervisor Type | Level of Study | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence Methods for Prediction of Atmospheric Visibility and Air Quality to Support Aviation and Health Sectors | Associate Supervisor | Masters | 2024 |
| Project title | Details | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Australia India Women Researchers' STEM Collaboration with India, $9,000 | Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change: Leveraging Machine Learning for Sustainable Urban Air Quality, Dr E. Sharma (lead) | 2025 |
| NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, $26,089 | AIDFAN - AI-based data Fusion and Air Quality Nowcasting, Prof R. Deo, Dr E. Sharma, Dr S. Ghimire & S. Karalasingham. | 2024 |
| University of Southern Queensland, $10,000 | Early Career Researcher Grant | 2024 |
| Office of National Intelligence, Australian Government, $349,962 | Internet of Space Things - Power-efficient Coded-Modulation Schemes for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Communication. Dr E. Sharma (Awarded NIPG Fellow) & Prof R. Deo. | 2022 |
| Department of Defence, $26,000 | Efficient Algorithms for AI-enabled Communication- Australian Postgraduate Research Internships, Prof R Deo, Dr E Sharma & Defence Lead. | 2020 |
| Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI-Optimise) with Curtin University | Contributing to the health of the mathematics pipeline in Australia from school through university | 2019 |
| Date | Name | Awarding organisation | Underpinning research |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Australian Women Researchers Award for STEM Collaboration with India | Australia India Institute and funded by the Australian Government Department of Education. | |
| 2024 | Winner: Women In AI Asia Pacific (APAC) award, Category: Climate | Women In AI Asia Pacific | |
| 2024 | Top Six Trailblazer Women in AI in Australia | Day of AI | |
| 2024 | Artificial Intelligence Trailblazer | The Chirp | |
| 2023 | Winner: Women in Technology Award for Inspiring Excellence in Research and Education | Women in Technology | |
| 2022 | Finalist, Queensland Women in STEMM | Queensland Museum with Australian Government | |
| 2022 | VC award for excellence in Doctoral Research, Commendation | University of Southern Queensland | |
| 2019 | BHP-sponsored Choose Maths award from AMSI | AMSI funded by BHP | |
| 2022 | Media Articles | The National Tribune, APAC Network, SBS, Ipswich and Mirage News, Australian Postgraduate Research Group, ABC Southern Queensland, UK Higher Education Academy UniSQ VC Newsletter, LinkedIn, and University News. |