DR. SARA WEBB

Dr. Sara Webb is an award-winning astrophysicist, science communicator, and global leader in the future of space research and education. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree in Healthcare & Science, recognised for her groundbreaking work at the intersection of astronomy, artificial intelligence, and microgravity science.

Sara began her career exploring some of the most extreme events in the Universe, from stellar explosions to
the fleeting signals of gravitational wave events, before expanding her research into artificial intelligence for
astronomical discovery and space situational awareness. She has since become a leading voice in safeguarding the night sky, leveraging the world’s most advanced telescopes and machine-learning techniques to track fast transients and space debris.

At Swinburne University of Technology, Sara is the Course Director of Swinburne Astronomy Online, Australia’s longest-running online astronomy program. She also leads Swinburne’s Microgravity Program, where she directs student-designed experiments flown to the International Space Station, investigating the growth of bacteria, plants and fungi in space. These initiatives are part of her broader mission to bring space closer to classrooms and inspire the next generation of explorers. Beyond research, Sara is a sought-after speaker, media commentator, and TEDx presenter whose talk on cosmic catastrophes ranks in the top 3% worldwide. She has represented Australia as an alumna of the U.S. International Visitor Leadership Program, works closely with U.S. and Australian partners on space research and education, and continues to champion diversity, inclusion, and curiosity-driven leadership in science.

Through her work, Dr Sara Webb is not only uncovering the mysteries of the cosmos but also shaping the future of how we study, share, and live in space.