Prof Piper is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) and Professor of Physics at Macquarie University. Jim has published widely in the field of dye laser design and has extensive experience in lasers, optics and photonics, and applications in micro fabrication. He received a Centenary Professorship from Carnegie Trust Universities of Scotland (2004), the Australian Optical Society Medal (1997), The Walter Boas Medal of the Australian Institute of Physics (1984) and the Pawsley Medal of the Australian Academy of Science (1982).