UTS College is proud to sponsor the UTS International Alumni Award, and we warmly congratulate this year’s winner, Dr Phyo Phyo San.
From an early age, Phyo was attracted to engineering and technology – an interest her parents encouraged when she was growing up in Myanmar. “My dad often took my elder sister and me to visit technological universities during our family trips,” she says. “Seeing how engineering students studied and worked really inspired me. I think I was in Year 9 when I decided I would study at a technological university too. I loved that environment. The sense of curiosity, innovation, and determination among the students made me want to be part of it.” Phyo also recalls a home environment that nurtured her talents. “My Dad always wanted his daughters to be independent and successful. He encouraged my sister and me. Mum was very supportive too. She set an example by running her own small business,” she says.
Phyo fulfilled that early dream with a bachelor's degree in engineering (Electronics and Communication) from Mandalay Technological University, Myanmar. She then moved to Singapore for further study. First, to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) for a Master of Science (Precision Engineering). Next - while working as a full-time research engineer - came a second master's (Electrical and Computer Engineering) at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
She says, "At NUS, I started exploring PhD options and a supervisor from UTS encouraged me to apply for a UTS International Research Scholarship." During this hectic period, she also managed to find time to marry her partner, a fellow engineer.
A golden opportunity and a huge dilemma
After her intensive study in Singapore, Phyo was ready to explore overseas opportunities. “When UTS offered me the scholarship, I knew it would be the right move,” she says. “It’s a famous university in terms of technology. Not just from a theoretical point of view; it’s also known for being hands-on and giving practical experience.”
Relocating to Australia would be the start of an exhilarating new chapter. But there was one tiny complication. “When I got the scholarship offer from UTS, it was an exciting but difficult time. I was beginning a new stage in my family life, with a baby on the way. It made the decision to study abroad very personal. After much thought, I made up my mind to take the scholarship. As soon as my son was born, I would come to UTS and start my PhD. It was very hard for me. He was only three months old when I left him in Singapore with my parents and my husband.”
Finding a supportive environment
As a new mother, Phyo struggled both emotionally and physically while she adapted to the demands of her studies. She says, “Because of the UTS environment, I wasn’t doing it all alone. They gave me a lot of support. Not just my supervisor, but also a friend who was doing a PhD at the same time. Of course, there was great support from my family, especially my mother, to care for my son. And my husband – he has always been my greatest support.” Being able to travel back to Singapore regularly also made a difference. “My supervisor knew my situation. He encouraged me to see my family when I could.”
Phyo enjoyed the diversity of the UTS campus.
Despite these challenges, Phyo found it easy to make friends on the cosmopolitan UTS campus. “There were students from everywhere, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the local students. They were very welcoming, sharing their spare time to collaborate and share ideas, and also to hang out together. That made things better for me.”
A cross-sector career
In 2013, with a freshly minted PhD, Phyo returned to NTU in Singapore as a Postdoctoral Fellow before entering the Singapore Government research sector. This is where her career expanded across multiple industries before ultimately moving into defence.
Today, Phyo is Lead Research Scientist, AI and Machine Learning, for the Australian Government. Throughout her career, she has applied AI and machine learning (ML) to address complex real-world challenges across diverse domains, including target detection, energy optimisation, market analytics, fraud detection, predictive maintenance, human activity recognition, and health condition monitoring. This encompasses the full data science lifecycle from data preparation and model development to deployment and performance optimisation, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and AI governance standards.
Speaking of her cross-sector impact, she says, “I’ve always been data-centric. My strength comes from understanding ML algorithms at their core, and my PhD focused on the implementation of advanced ML algorithms. The outcomes were published in top-tier journals and conferences. I believe that when I truly understand the algorithm, I can handle data effectively, regardless of its source. At the same time, I recognise that domain knowledge and data context are essential for meaningful insights. That’s why I enjoy exploring different industries and discovering how AI can create real-world impact. ”
UTS as a turning-point
Phyo considers her time at UTS an important turning point in her life. She says, “After my PhD, I got more recognition and more opportunities. I didn’t just learn how to research. I learned how to manage personal stress. I learned how to communicate across cultures, and I apply all these things in my day-to-day activities.”
She says the alumni award reflects more than her individual accomplishments. “I’m so honoured to receive this. It’s not just about my journey in AI and research. It’s a tribute to the support of my mentors, colleagues, and family along the way. I hope it will motivate other students at UTS College and UTS.”
Paying it forward
Fostering the next generation of talent is a high priority for Phyo. “I see it as an important part of my life, beyond my regular responsibilities,” she says. “Because I’m from Myanmar, I understand the challenges developing countries face in advancing technology. That’s why many early-career professionals reach out to me for advice on how to start their careers in data science, AI, and machine learning. I actively share my knowledge whenever I can, by hosting seminars or knowledge-sharing sessions through a Women in AI (WAI) working group. WAI is a non-profit that empowers women and minorities to become AI and data experts, innovators, and leaders. This support extends beyond borders, reaching anyone who seeks guidance in building their career in this field.”
Phyo never forgets the support and encouragement that helped her and always seeks to pay it forward. “I now support my husband in his continuing education, and I’m proud to say he’ll graduate with his PhD from UTS this year.”
And that baby boy? “Nyi’s in Year 10 now. He’s 15. He’s a good boy and a good son to me, and he’s doing well at school. He told me he’d like to do medicine, but that depends on many things. I will support him in whatever he wants to be.”
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