** The Fabulous: Australian of the Year is pioneer physicist Michelle Simmons**

A London-born scientist who has pioneered research into advanced computing has been named Australian of the Year. Prof Michelle Simmons, 50, has helped put Australia at the centre of "the space race of the computing era", the National Australia Day Council said. Australia's most prestigious civic honour is awarded each year to a person considered a national role model.

"Such a discovery has the potential to revolutionise drug design, weather forecasting, self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence and much more," it said in a statement. She was also celebrated for being a role model to young scientists, particularly women. Prof Simmons is a graduate of Durham University and moved to Australia in 1999 before becoming a citizen eight years later. She succeeds another research pioneer, Prof Alan Mackay-Sim, as Australian of the Year.