Professor Irina Kabakova is a physicist in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she leads the Brillouin Imaging Group and teaches advanced subjects in Optics and Biomedical Diagnostics. She is internationally recognised for establishing Australia’s first Brillouin microscopy and spectroscopy facility, focused on label-free, non-invasive mechanical characterisation of biological materials. This cutting-edge platform enables high-resolution, 3D mapping of viscoelastic properties in cells and tissues and plays a pivotal role in developing next-generation diagnostic tools for conditions such as cancer and fibrosis. Prof Kabakova’s research encompasses optical physics, light–matter interactions, biomedical imaging, and spectroscopy, with a strong emphasis on translational applications bridging physics, biology, and clinical medicine. She has held research positions in Australia, the UK, and the Netherlands, and has a proven track record in multidisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration.

In parallel with her research, she is a committed advocate for gender equity in STEM. Since 2021, she has led the Academic Women in Science (AWiS) network at UTS, delivering professional development initiatives and promoting inclusive leadership. Her efforts have significantly contributed to increasing the participation of women in physics and technical sciences.