CQU academics feature in World's Top 2% Scientists list

23 September 2025
Three research staff working in a laboratory setting with samples and beakers
CQUniversity researchers have been recognised as leaders in their field

By Megan Hendry

More than 40 CQUniversity researchers have been recognised among the world’s leading scientists in this year’s annual Stanford University - Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists list.

The prestigious list highlights those who have made a substantial impact in their respective fields and is based on the number of citations of their work in the previous calendar year.

CQUniversity nursing Professor Michelle Cleary was ranked among the top 40 in her field while Associate Professor Xianbo (Bill) Zhao was among the top 100 cited scientists in the building and construction field.

Professor Bruce Prideaux, Professor Nerilee Hing, Professor Matthew Browne, Professor Dana Stanley and Adjunct Professor Violeta Lopez were all among the top 200 scientists in their respective fields. 

CQUniversity Acting Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Michelle Bellingan said the results highlighted the dedication of CQUniversity’s researchers across a range of disciplines.

“CQUniversity is emerging as a research powerhouse and it’s wonderful to see so many CQUniversity academics recognised as leaders in their field,” Prof Bellingan said. 

“From agriculture to health, our researchers are determined to meet the needs of our communities through applied research that drives real-world outcomes.”

CQUniversity academics recognised in the latest World's Top 2% Scientists list (in order of appearance):

  • Associate Professor Xianbo (Bill) Zhao
  • Professor Talal Yusaf
  • Professor Bruce Prideaux
  • Professor Mohammad Rasul
  • Professor Michelle Cleary
  • Dr Imran Ali
  • Professor Jamshid Aghaei
  • Professor Kerry Walsh
  • Professor Nerilee Hing
  • Professor Corneel Vandelanotte
  • Associate Professor Mohammadreza (Reza) Akbari
  • Dr Jayanath Ananda
  • Dr Lal Rawal
  • Professor Alexandra Aikhenvald
  • Associate Professor Ritesh Chugh
  • Dr Kalam Azad
  • Dr Elaheh Yadegaridehkordi
  • Dr Nurun Nabi
  • Professor Matthew Browne
  • Dr Mohammed Bashir
  • Professor Dragana (Dana) Stanley
  • Adjunct Professor Violeta Lopez
  • Associate Professor Aaron Scanlan
  • Dr Lois Harris
  • Professor Drew Dawson
  • Professor Robert Stanton
  • Associate Professor Santoso Wibowo
  • Professor Margaret McAllister
  • Professor Charli Sargent
  • Dr Richard Koech
  • Professor Colin Cole
  • Dr Ahmed Kineber
  • Professor Matthew Rockloff
  • Professor Guido Governatori
  • Dr Fariza Sabrina
  • Dr Mohammad Anwar
  • Professor Maksym Spiryagin
  • Dr Mohammad Mehedi Hasan
  • Dr Qing Wu
  • Dr Adam Gerace
  • Professor William Guo
  • Professor Kevin Ronan (deceased)
  • Lynda Andeobu  
  • Dr Nirmal Kumar
  • Professor Amanda Henderson
  • Adjunct Professor Nigel Tomkins
  • Dr Md Jahirul Islam