Overview
Background
Dr Sally Shrapnel is an internationally recognised interdisciplinary scientist whose research spans quantum physics, artificial intelligence, digital medicine, and philosophy. With a unique career trajectory bridging clinical medicine and cutting-edge quantum technologies, Dr Shrapnel is committed to solving foundational and applied problems that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
A registered medical practitioner and Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, she brings over two decades of clinical experience in Tasmania, Queensland, and the UK. After earning an MSc in Bioengineering from Imperial College London, she pursued a PhD in Quantum Artificial Intelligence—focusing on quantum causal inference—which launched her second career as a quantum physicist.
Currently, Dr Shrapnel is Associate Professor of Physics at The University of Queensland and Deputy Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS). Her research addresses two fundamental questions:
- What does quantum theory reveal about the nature of reality?
- Can quantum resources be harnessed to design faster, more efficient AI algorithms?
These inquiries drive her leading contributions in Quantum Foundations and Quantum Machine Learning, where she develops novel theoretical frameworks and algorithms that aim to unlock the quantum advantage in emerging technologies. As Program Lead for Quantum Technologies for Health at the Queensland Digital Health Centre, Dr Shrapnel is also preparing the state’s healthcare ecosystem for the next technological revolution—bringing quantum tools into real-world applications in health and medicine.
A passionate advocate for interdisciplinary research, Dr Shrapnel continues to publish widely across quantum physics, computer science, digital health, and the philosophy of science. Her work exemplifies the power of rigorous, cross-disciplinary thinking to address some of the most profound and practical challenges of our time.
Availability
- Associate Professor Sally Shrapnel is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medical Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, Imperial College
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Sally Shrapnel’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Journal Article
Use of an extended KDIGO definition to diagnose acute kidney injury in patients with COVID-19: a multinational study using the ISARIC–WHO clinical characterisation protocol
Wainstein, Marina, MacDonald, Samual, Fryer, Daniel, Young, Kyle, Balan, Valeria, Begum, Husna, Burrell, Aidan, Citarella, Barbara Wanjiru, Cobb, J. Perren, Kelly, Sadie, Kennon, Kalynn, Lee, James, Merson, Laura, Murthy, Srinivas, Nichol, Alistair, Semple, Malcolm G., Strudwick, Samantha, Webb, Steven A., Rossignol, Patrick, Claure-Del Granado, Rolando, Shrapnel, Sally and the ISARIC Clinical Characterisation Group (2022). Use of an extended KDIGO definition to diagnose acute kidney injury in patients with COVID-19: a multinational study using the ISARIC–WHO clinical characterisation protocol. PLoS Medicine, 19 (4) e1003969, e1003969. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003969
2022
Journal Article
Entropy production and fluctuation theorems in a continuously monitored optical cavity at zero temperature
Kewming, Michael J. and Shrapnel, Sally (2022). Entropy production and fluctuation theorems in a continuously monitored optical cavity at zero temperature. Quantum, 6 685, 685. doi: 10.22331/q-2022-04-13-685
2022
Journal Article
Toward a learning health care system: a systematic review and evidence-based conceptual framework for implementation of clinical analytics in a digital hospital
Lim, Han Chang, Austin, Jodie A., van der Vegt, Anton H., Rahimi, Amir Kamel, Canfell, Oliver J., Mifsud, Jayden, Pole, Jason D., Barras, Michael A., Hodgson, Tobias, Shrapnel, Sally and Sullivan, Clair M. (2022). Toward a learning health care system: a systematic review and evidence-based conceptual framework for implementation of clinical analytics in a digital hospital. Applied Clinical Informatics, 13 (02), 339-354. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1743243
2022
Journal Article
Clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 registered in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium WHO clinical characterisation protocol: a prospective, multinational, multicentre, observational study
Reyes, Luis Felipe, Murthy, Srinivas, Garcia-Gallo, Esteban, Irvine, Mike, Merson, Laura, Martin-Loeches, Ignacio, Rello, Jordi, Taccone, Fabio S, Fowler, Robert A, Docherty, Annemarie B, Kartsonaki, Christiana, Aragao, Irene, Barrett, Peter W, Beane, Abigail, Burrell, Aidan, Cheng, Matthew Pellan, Christian, Michael D, Cidade, Jose Pedro, Citarella, Barbara Wanjiru, Donnelly, Christl A, Fernandes, Susana M, French, Craig, Haniffa, Rashan, Harrison, Ewen M, Ho, Antonia Ying Wai, Joseph, Mark, Khan, Irfan, Kho, Michelle E, Kildal, Anders Benjamin ... Olliaro, Piero L (2022). Clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 registered in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium WHO clinical characterisation protocol: a prospective, multinational, multicentre, observational study. ERJ Open Research, 8 (1) 00552-2021, 00552-2021. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00552-2021
2022
Conference Publication
Explainable deep learning for medical imaging models through class specific semantic dictionaries
Layton, Harrison, Shrapnel, Sally and Bialkowski, Alina (2022). Explainable deep learning for medical imaging models through class specific semantic dictionaries. International Conference on Digital Image Computing: Techniques and Applications (DICTA), Sydney, NSW, Australia, 30 November 2022 - 02 December 2022. Piscataway, NJ, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/DICTA56598.2022.10034639
2021
Journal Article
The value of open-source clinical science in pandemic response: lessons from ISARIC
Abbas, Ali, Abdukahil, Sheryl Ann, Abdulkadir, Nurul Najmee, Abe, Ryuzo, Abel, Laurent, Absil, Lara, Acharya, Subhash, Acker, Andrew, Adachi, Shingo, Adam, Elisabeth, Adrião, Diana, Ageel, Saleh Al, Ahmed, Shakeel, Ain, Quratul, Ainscough, Kate, Aisa, Tharwat, Ait Hssain, Ali, Ait Tamlihat, Younes, Akimoto, Takako, Akmal, Ernita, Al Qasim, Eman, Alalqam, Razi, Alam, Tanvir, Al-dabbous, Tala, Alegesan, Senthilkumar, Alegre, Cynthia, Alessi, Marta, Alex, Beatrice, Alexandre, Kévin ... ISARIC Clinical Characterisation Group (2021). The value of open-source clinical science in pandemic response: lessons from ISARIC. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 21 (12), 1623-1624. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00565-X
2021
Journal Article
Ten months of temporal variation in the clinical journey of hospitalised patients with COVID-19: An observational cohort
ISARIC Clinical Characterisation Group, Hall, Matthew D., Baruch, Joaquín, Carson, Gail, Citarella, Barbara Wanjiru, Dagens, Andrew, Dankwa, Emmanuelle A., Donnelly, Christl A., Dunning, Jake, Escher, Martina, Kartsonaki, Christiana, Merson, Laura, Pritchard, Mark, Wei, Jia, Horby, Peter W., Rojek, Amanda, Olliaro, Piero L., Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Shrapnel, Sally, Suen, Jacky and Forsyth, Simon J. (2021). Ten months of temporal variation in the clinical journey of hospitalised patients with COVID-19: An observational cohort. eLife, 10 e70970, 1-30. doi: 10.7554/elife.70970
2021
Journal Article
Assessment of 28-day in-hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019: an international cohort study
Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Suen, Jacky Y., White, Nicole, Dalton, Heidi J., Fanning, Jonathon, Corley, Amanda, Shrapnel, Sally, Hinton, Samuel, Forsyth, Simon, Parsons, Rex, Laffey, John G., Fan, Eddy, Bartlett, Robert, Brodie, Daniel, Burrell, Aidan, Chiumello, Davide, Elhazmi, Alyaa, Grasselli, Giacomo, Hodgson, Carol, Ichiba, Shingo, Luna, Carlos, Marwali, Eva, Merson, Laura, Murthy, Srinivas, Nichol, Alistair, Panigada, Mauro, Pelosi, Paolo, Torres, Antoni, Ng, Pauline Yeung ... Obonyo, Nchafatso (2021). Assessment of 28-day in-hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019: an international cohort study. Critical Care Explorations, 3 (11) e0567, e0567. doi: 10.1097/cce.0000000000000567
2021
Conference Publication
An appraisal of respiratory system compliance in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients
Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Suen, Jacky, Dalton, Heidi J., White, Nicole, Sato, Kei, Shrapnel, Sally, Fanning, Jonathon P., Liquet, Benoit, Hinton, Samuel, Vuorinem, Aapeli, Booth, Gareth, Millar, Jonathan E., Forsyth, Simon, Panigada, Mauro, Laffey, John, Brodie, Daniel, Fan, Eddy, Torres, Antoni, Chiumello, Davide, Corley, Amanda, Elhazmi, Alyaa, Hodgson, Carol, Ichiba, Shingo, Luna, Carlos, Murthy, Srinivas, Nichol, Alistair, Yeung, Pauline, Ogino, Mark, Pesenti, Antonio ... Fraser, John F. (2021). An appraisal of respiratory system compliance in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) International Congress, Thessaloniki Greece, Sep 26-30, 2021. SHEFFIELD: EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD. doi: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA3318
2021
Journal Article
Experimental characterization of a non-Markovian quantum process
Goswami, K., Giarmatzi, C., Monterola, C., Shrapnel, S., Romero, J. and Costa, F. (2021). Experimental characterization of a non-Markovian quantum process. Physical Review A, 104 (2) 022432. doi: 10.1103/physreva.104.022432
2021
Journal Article
COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study
ISARIC Clinical Characterisation Group, Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Scarsbrook, Joshua, Shrapnel, Sally, Suen, Jacky and Forsyth, Simon J. (2021). COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study. Infection, 49 (5), 889-905. doi: 10.1007/s15010-021-01599-5
2021
Journal Article
An appraisal of respiratory system compliance in mechanically ventilated covid-19 patients
Li Bassi, Gianluigi, Suen, Jacky Y, Dalton, Heidi J, White, Nicole, Shrapnel, Sally, Fanning, Jonathon P, Liquet, Benoit, Hinton, Samuel, Vuorinen, Aapeli, Booth, Gareth, Millar, Jonathan E, Forsyth, Simon, Panigada, Mauro, Laffey, John, Brodie, Daniel, Fan, Eddy, Torres, Antoni, Chiumello, Davide, Corley, Amanda, Elhazmi, Alyaa, Hodgson, Carol, Ichiba, Shingo, Luna, Carlos, Murthy, Srinivas, Nichol, Alistair, Ng, Pauline Yeung, Ogino, Mark, Pesenti, Antonio, Trieu, Huynh Trung ... Obonyo, Gikenyi N. (2021). An appraisal of respiratory system compliance in mechanically ventilated covid-19 patients. Critical Care, 25 (1) 199, 1-22. doi: 10.1186/s13054-021-03518-4
2021
Journal Article
International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in Latin America
Wainstein, Marina, Bello, Aminu K., Jha, Vivekanand, Harris, David C.H., Levin, Adeera, Gonzalez-Bedat, Maria C., Rosa-Diez, Guillermo J., Ferreiro Fuentes, Alejandro, Sola, Laura, Pecoits-Filho, Roberto, Claure-Del Granado, Rolando, Madero, Magdalena, Osman, Mohamed A., Saad, Syed, Zaidi, Deenaz, Lunney, Meaghan, Ye, Feng, Katz, Ivor J., Khan, Maryam, Shrapnel, Sally, Tonelli, Marcello, Okpechi, Ikechi G. and Johnson, David W. (2021). International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in Latin America. Kidney International Supplements, 11 (2), e35-e46. doi: 10.1016/j.kisu.2021.01.005
2021
Journal Article
Designing a physical quantum agent
Kewming, M. J., Shrapnel, S. and Milburn, G. J. (2021). Designing a physical quantum agent. Physical Review A, 103 (3) 032411, 1-7. doi: 10.1103/physreva.103.032411
2021
Journal Article
Intensive care digital health response to emerging infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19
Kirrane, Marianne D., Shrapnel, Sally, Ramanan, Mahesh, Clement, Pierre, Fraser, John F., Laupland, Kevin B., Sullivan, Clair M. and Shekar, Kiran (2021). Intensive care digital health response to emerging infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, 49 (2), 0310057X2097577-111. doi: 10.1177/0310057x20975777
2021
Journal Article
Machine learning and chronic kidney disease risk prediction
Wainstein, Marina, Shrapnel, Sally, Clark, Chevon Lee, Hoy, Wendy, Healy, Helen and Katz, Ivor (2021). Machine learning and chronic kidney disease risk prediction. African Journal of Nephrology, 24 (1), 58-67. doi: 10.21804/24-1-4748
2020
Journal Article
Design and rationale of the COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium international, multicentre, observational study
Bassi, Gianluigi Li, Suen, Jacky, Barnett, Adrian Gerard, Corley, Amanda, Millar, Jonathan, Fanning, Jonathon, Lye, India, Colombo, Sebastiano, Wildi, Karin, Livingstone, Samantha, Abbate, Gabriella, Hinton, Samuel, Liquet, Benoit, Shrapnel, Sally, Dalton, Heidi and Fraser, John F. (2020). Design and rationale of the COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium international, multicentre, observational study. BMJ Open, 10 (12) e041417, 1-6. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041417
2020
Journal Article
Hiding ignorance using high dimensions
Kewming, M. J., Shrapnel, S., White, A. G. and Romero, J. (2020). Hiding ignorance using high dimensions. Physical Review Letters, 124 (25) 250401, 250401. doi: 10.1103/physrevlett.124.250401
2020
Journal Article
Quantum correlations in the Kerr Ising model
Kewming, Michael, Shrapnel, Sally and Milburn, Gerard (2020). Quantum correlations in the Kerr Ising model. New Journal of Physics, 22 (5) 053042, 053042. doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/ab7255
2019
Conference Publication
Ignorance of the whole does not imply ignorance of the parts: qudit random access codes in spatial modes of light
Kewming, Michael J., Shrapnel, Sally, White, Andrew G. and Romero, Jacquiline (2019). Ignorance of the whole does not imply ignorance of the parts: qudit random access codes in spatial modes of light. Quantum Information and Measurement, QIM 2019, Rome, Italy, 4 - 6 April 2019. Washington, DC, United States: The Optical Society. doi: 10.1364/QIM.2019.F5A.78
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Sally Shrapnel is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising the impact of noise in quantum machine learning.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Riddhi Gupta
-
Doctor Philosophy
Digital Health Methods for Evaluating Chronic Organ Injuries Resulting from Infectious Epidemics: Acute Kidney Injury post COVID-19 Omicron Surge as an Exemplar
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Pole
-
Doctor Philosophy
Predicting adverse diabetes events in hospitals using machine learning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Mr Anton Van Der Vegt, Professor Jason Pole
-
Doctor Philosophy
Perspectives on the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Timothy Ralph, Dr Peter Evans
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Artificial Intelligence to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Hospitals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Clair Sullivan, Dr Oliver Canfell, Professor Jason Pole
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Improving Kidney Disease Detection and Risk Prediction Across Diverse Regional and Socioeconomic Settings
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Johnson
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Wealth of Features: towards a coherent cooperative game theory for feature importance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Wood, Professor Geoffrey McLachlan
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
High-Dimensional Quantum Information
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew White, Associate Professor Jacqui Romero
Media
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