Kirby said he is “nestled in the gap between medicine and science fiction” as a “translational scientist”.

Following on from his successful academic career, Kirby founded Firefly Biotech after noticing a lack of appropriate tools for scientists to access space in their research.

Since its creation in 2021, the Adelaide-based company has been pioneering the creation of tools to help biologists undertake interplanetary research, with a focus on space healthcare and medical research.

Kirby is also on the board of directors of the Wireless Institute of Australia and a science advisor to the Commonwealth of Australia.

In his spare time, Kirby says he enjoys automotive repair, welding, woodworking, computer hardware and software development, high-frequency communications and reading technical manuals and science fiction.

The 40 Under 40 Entrepreneurial Award is presented by William Buck to an outstanding lateral business thinker and risk taker exhibiting entrepreneurial flair.