Dr. Nhiem Tran is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Applied Chemistry and Environmental Science at RMIT University's School of Science, part of the STEM College. He joined RMIT in 2015 as a Vice Chancellor's Research Fellow after completing his PhD in Physics at Brown University (USA, 2012) and postdoctoral research at Rhode Island Hospital (USA), CSIRO, and the Australian Synchrotron. His research focuses on developing biomaterials for drug delivery, gene therapy, and medical implants, particularly lipid nanoparticles and 3D-printed metallic implants. He leads the Biomaterial Interfaces group, investigating self-assembled lipid nanoparticles for cancer and autoimmune disease treatments. His work has resulted in over 65 high-impact publications and numerous awards, including the RMIT Vice Chancellor's Research Fellowship and the Stein/Bellet Foundation Fellowship. Tran's funding comes from grants such as the ARC Discovery Project, mRNA Victoria, and the CASS Foundation. His research interests span nanomedicine, biomedical engineering, and materials science, with a focus on applications in drug delivery, bacterial infection control, and orthopaedic implants. Education: PhD in Physics (Brown University, 2012) Key Projects: 3D-printed diamond-titanium implants, lipid nanoparticle drug carriers, and antimicrobial coatings. He actively supervises postgraduate research in areas like nanomaterials for drug delivery and biomedical applications.
Mark Billinghurst is a Professor and Director of the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments at UniSA STEM, University of South Australia. His work focuses on Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and empathic computing, emphasizing remote collaboration, human-computer interaction, and inclusive design. He has authored influential books like Computer-Supported Collaboration: Theory and Practice (2024) and pioneered systems such as Empathy Glasses and gaze-tracking interfaces for collaborative tasks. Education & Affiliations: Mark Billinghurst is affiliated with the Empathic Computing Laboratory and has collaborated globally with institutions like Keio University, Nokia, and the University of Canterbury. His research spans AR applications in manufacturing, healthcare, and social interaction, with a focus on improving accessibility and user experience. Research Interests: Dr. Billinghurst’s research explores AR/VR for remote guidance, wearable technologies, and emotional interfaces. He investigates how gaze cues, multimodal feedback, and AI can enhance collaboration and empathy in virtual environments. His work bridges technical innovation with human-centric design, addressing challenges in industrial assembly, mental health, and workplace transformation. Publications & Impact: His 2016 study on gaze tracking in remote collaboration (cited over 100 times) and 2024 book on AR collaboration highlight his contributions. Recent projects include Vibe360 (group emotion analysis) and CAEVr (biofeedback-driven empathy systems). He actively contributes to conferences like IEEE VR and CHI, shaping the future of immersive technologies. Labs & Future Work: His lab develops tools like the SAR system for aircraft drilling and empathic agents (EMiRAs). Future directions include AI-driven emotional interfaces, inclusive metaverse design, and VR solutions for cognitive rehabilitation.
Florian 'Floyd' Mueller is a Professor of Future Interfaces at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, where he directs the award-winning Exertion Games Lab within the Department of Human-Centred Computing (ranked among the top 20 HCI departments globally). Previously, he held positions at RMIT University, Stanford, University of Melbourne, Microsoft Research, MIT Media Lab, Fuji-Xerox Palo Alto Labs, Xerox Parc, and Australia's CSIRO. Mueller is a member of the prestigious ACM SIGCHI Academy, an honorary group recognizing leaders who have made substantial contributions to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Professor Mueller's research focuses on the intersections between technology, the human body, and play. He originated the concept of "Exertion Interface," arguing that we should not just design "easy-to-use" interactions when "hard-to-use" interactions can also be beneficial. His work spans movement-based interactions, whole-body interfaces, uncomfortable interactions, somaesthetics, and exertion games. Mueller's research methodology often employs research through design, design ethnography, and autoethnography to explore these novel interaction paradigms, incorporating mixed-reality, augmented reality, virtual reality, electronic muscle stimulation, biosensors, wearables, and drones. His recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on bodily interactions and human-computer integration, with particular emphasis on emerging subfields like WaterHCI and SportsHCI, brain-computer interfaces, and gustosonic (taste and sound) experiences. Mueller's work has evolved from foundational exertion game concepts to more sophisticated explorations of human-computer integration where technology becomes seamlessly woven into the fabric of human experience. Professor Mueller's contributions have been widely recognized with numerous awards including: Inaugural honouree of the Australian Design Centre's Design Honours Tall Poppy award for "intellectual and scientific excellence" 10 "Best Paper Honorable Mentions" (top 5%) from premier HCI conferences 2 "Best Paper" awards (top 1%) at CHI PLAY and CHI Shortlisted for the European Innovation Games Award (alongside Nintendo's WiiFit) Nokia Mindtrek Ubimedia Award Mueller has successfully secured some of Australia's largest and most competitive research grants, achieving a remarkable 14% success rate on Australian Research Council Discovery Project applications. He has served as General co-Chair for CHI PLAY'18 and CHI'20, becoming the first Australian-based researcher to spearhead HCI's highest-ranked publication outlet, and is currently General co-Chair for CHI'24. He is Associate Editor for tier A journals including Elsevier's IJHCS (International Journal of Human-Computer Studies) and ACM's IMWUT (Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies). As director of the Exertion Games Lab, Mueller leads a research team whose innovations have been experienced by over 20,000 users across 3 continents and featured on the BBC, ABC, Discovery Science Channel, and Wired magazine. The lab has produced groundbreaking work in bodily interfaces, co-founding the CHI PLAY conference series and establishing new research directions in SportsHCI and WaterHCI through recent "Grand Challenges" papers. Mueller's lab continues to push boundaries with projects exploring brain-to-brain interfaces, lucid dreaming induction, and novel gustosonic experiences.
Dr Lin Yue is a Lecturer at the University of Adelaide , affiliated with the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology and the School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences . She earned her PhD from Jilin University, with part of her doctoral studies completed as a joint PhD candidate at the University of Queensland. Past affiliations: Northeast Normal University, University of Queensland, University of Newcastle Her research focuses on Sequential Data Analysis and its applications in Medical Data Analytics, EEG Data Analysis, Brain-Computer Interfaces, Social Media Data Analytics, and Sentiment Analysis . She collaborates with academia, government, and professional organizations, supported by internal and external research grants. Dr Yue is eligible to supervise Masters and PhD students as a Co-Supervisor and contributes to advancing data mining and machine learning techniques in healthcare and time series analysis.
Dr. Shelley Wickham is an Associate Professor and ARC DECRA Fellow at the University of Sydney, holding joint appointments in the Schools of Chemistry and Physics. She serves as a Westpac Research Fellow and leads the DNA Nanotechnology Group at the Sydney Nano Institute. Dr. Wickham is also co-Champion of the Sydney Nano Institute Grand Challenge project in Molecular Nanorobotics for Health, co-lead of the School of Physics Grand Challenge on Nanoscale brain navigation for targeted drug delivery, and faculty mentor of the University of Sydney BIOMOD team. Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physics from University of Sydney PhD in Condensed Matter Physics from University of Oxford Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Wyss Institute Dr. Wickham's research focuses on self-assembling nanotechnology and molecular robotics, particularly in the design and assembly of programmable nanostructures out of DNA. Her work spans applications in cell biology, materials science, and nanomedicine. Current research projects include design and synthesis of self-assembling DNA nanostructures, proto-cells made of DNA gels that move under flow, new plasma fabrication methods for biomolecule micropatterning, and DNA computation circuits for navigating the brain using machine learning. Her research aligns with the Faculty of Science Research Strengths in Molecules to Materials, Preventing and Treating Disease & Disorder, and Next Generation Materials. Analysis of Dr. Wickham's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on DNA nanotechnology with increasing sophistication in structural complexity and biological applications. Her work has evolved from fundamental DNA origami structures to increasingly complex multi-component systems with practical applications in nanomedicine and biomimetic engineering. Recent publications show strong interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering disciplines, with emphasis on real-world applications including drug delivery systems and biomolecular sensors. ARC DECRA Fellow Westpac Research Fellow BIOMOD World Champions (2019) Dr. Wickham actively mentors PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in her DNA nanotechnology group. She has secured significant research funding including ARC Discovery Projects, Westpac Scholarships, and NSW Health grants. Her current grants support projects such as '3D Bio-Nanomaterial Displays with Designer Architectures and Functions' and 'RNA aptamer sensing devices for rapid detection of blood clotting.' Dr. Wickham encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and maintains active collaborations with researchers at Harvard, Oxford, and other international institutions. Dr. Wickham leads the DNA Nanotechnology Group at the University of Sydney, which is part of the Sydney Nano Institute. Her lab focuses on building tools from DNA origami - including tweezers, spanners, wrenches and springs - to better understand biological processes at the nanoscale. The group has achieved notable success with the BIOMOD team winning world championships in 2019, and continues to develop innovative approaches to molecular robotics for healthcare applications.
Dr. Ghazal Bargshady is a Lecturer at the University of Canberra , with expertise in Affective Computing , Artificial Intelligence , and Healthcare Technology . Her roles include teaching units such as Computer Vision, Data Analytics, and Soft Computing, as well as supervising PhD and Master by Research students in AI-driven projects for healthcare and road safety. Education: She earned her PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision from the University of Southern Queensland in 2020. Research Interests: Dr. Bargshady specializes in Computer Vision Deep Learning Biosignal Processing Facial Expression Analysis Human Factors in AI Wearable Sensors Multimodal Data Fusion Brain–Computer Interfaces Her work addresses real-world challenges in pain assessment, depression recognition, and driver safety using cutting-edge AI models. Article Trends: Her recent publications focus on Transformer architectures , fNIRS signal analysis , multimodal pain detection , and depression severity estimation via facial video data. These studies highlight her contributions to AI in healthcare , transportation safety , and biomedical signal processing . Teaching Activities: Dr. Bargshady has lectured units including Programming for Data Science , Computer Vision , and Soft Computing , emphasizing practical AI applications.
Dr. Mike Seymour is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney Business School, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Digital Humans, and AI ethics. He holds a BSc, MBA, and PhD from the University of Sydney. His research focuses on photorealistic digital faces for immersive interfaces, blockchain socio-technical systems, and agile project management in creative industries. Dr. Seymour is a member of the Sydney Nano Institute and leads the Motus Lab. He has published in top journals like *Harvard Business Review*, *Communications of the ACM*, and *Information Systems Research*. His current projects include ARC-funded research on digital humans for anti-racism initiatives and adaptive AI for brain injury patients. He has received awards such as the SOAR Prize and ECR Researcher of the Year. His teaching spans CX, UX, and project management courses (e.g., INFS2040, INFS3080). Media engagements include ABC News, Sky News, and *The Australian Financial Review* for commentary on AI ethics and film industry trends. Education: BSc (University of Sydney) MBA (University of Sydney) PhD (University of Sydney) Research Themes: Real-time photorealistic avatars Deepfake ethics Agile methodologies in VFX Grants: A$450K ARC DP25 grant for anti-racism digital humans Earned $200K in industry partnerships (e.g., Epic Games) Labs/Teams: Leads the Motus Lab and collaborates with the Digital Human Research Group.
Dr. Sungyong Ahn is a Lecturer in Digital Media and Cultures at the School of Communication and Arts, University of Queensland, and an affiliate of the Centre for Digital Cultures & Societies. His research focuses on digital ontology, new materialism, and speculative (capitalist) realism, examining how smart technologies reshape human perception and governance. He holds a PhD in Media Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Education: Bachelor of Philosophy (Yonsei University), Master of Film and Television (Chung-Ang University), PhD in Media Studies (UIUC). His research investigates the interplay between technology, capitalism, and cultural production, particularly through the lens of the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum physics as cultural imagination, and French philosophy (Foucault, Deleuze, Badiou). Recent work includes analyzing IoT’s role in self-governance and the ontological anxieties of digital existence. Publications span journals like Media Theory , Journal of Cultural Economy , and Postmodern Culture . He is the author of Internet-ontologies-Things: Smart Objects, Hidden Problems, and Their Symmetries (2023). Available for supervision in media studies, digital cultures, and science/technology studies. Active in interdisciplinary collaborations, including the Centre for Digital Cultures & Societies.
Associate Professor Mathias Baumert is affiliated with the University of Adelaide, where he holds a position in the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering under the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. He leads the Health Technology research theme in the School of Electrical Electronic Engineering and specializes in biomedical signal processing, focusing on dynamic electrocardiography and sleep-related phenomena. His work integrates clinical applications and technological advancements to address challenges in cardiology and sleep disorders. His research interests include the physiological underpinnings of ventricular repolarization variability and its clinical implications, particularly in post-myocardial infarction patients and those with sleep-disordered breathing. He also develops brain-computer interface (BCI) systems for stroke rehabilitation, leveraging real-time EEG analysis and motor function recovery techniques. Collaborations with clinical partners such as the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide Institute of Sleep Health, and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute highlight his translational research focus. His recent articles emphasize signal processing applications for risk stratification in cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and diabetes. Key themes include nocturnal hypoxemic burden prediction, REM sleep dynamics, and the development of novel diagnostic markers using ECG and EEG data. His work often bridges engineering and medicine, aiming to translate findings into clinical tools like adaptive servo-ventilation treatment optimization and personalized BCI systems. No scientific awards or fellowships are explicitly listed in the provided texts. He is eligible to supervise Masters and PhD students but current advisee names are not available. His research projects are supported by grants such as ARC DP110102049 (as noted in some articles). He teaches courses including Biomedical Instrumentation and Introduction to Medical Technology . His facilities include ECG equipment, polysomnogram repositories, and a BCI workstation with 64-channel EEG capabilities. He collaborates on lab-based and clinical partner studies to advance cardiac sensing algorithms and sleep-related diagnostic technologies.
Professor Francois Ladouceur is a distinguished academic at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he serves in the Faculty of Engineering, specifically within the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications. With a career spanning over three decades, Professor Ladouceur has established himself as a leading expert in photonics, optical engineering, and neural interfaces. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Optical Communication from The Australian National University (1992) Masters in Solid State Physics from École Polytechnique, Montréal, Canada (1987) B. Eng. in Engineering Physics from École Polytechnique, Montréal, Canada (1985) Professor Ladouceur's research spans several cutting-edge areas in photonics and optical engineering. His work focuses on integrated optics, silica and diamond-based photonics, optical sensing networks, and photonics-based brain/machine interfaces. He has made significant contributions to both fundamental waveguide theory and applied integrated optics, introducing innovative approaches to waveguide path design that have improved the size and ease of design of integrated optics devices. His recent work has particularly emphasized the development of liquid crystal-based optical electrodes for neural interfacing and brain/machine interfaces. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward biomedical applications of photonics, particularly in neural interfaces and optrode technology. His research has evolved from fundamental optical engineering to practical applications in healthcare, with a focus on developing novel optical sensing technologies for electrophysiological measurements. The interdisciplinary nature of his work combines optical engineering, materials science, and biomedical engineering to create innovative solutions for neural interfacing. Professor Ladouceur has secured significant research funding through multiple prestigious grants: ARC Discovery (DP200102825): "A Multi-Optrode Array for Closed-Loop Bionics" ($495k) NHMRC Ideas Grant (APP2002282): "Re-engineering the Future of Electrophysiological Measurements" ($732k) ARC Discovery 2016 (DP160104625): "Design of an optrode for next generation brain-machine interfaces" ($457.6k) CRC Project 2016: "High performance optical telemetry system for ocean monitoring" ($1,014,320) US Office of Naval Research: "Multi-Optrode Array for Neural Interfacing" (US$360,000) Professor Ladouceur has extensive experience in translating research into practical applications, having founded Bandwidth Foundry Pty Ltd after raising approximately $20 million from private and public sources. His work bridges the gap between academic research and commercial applications, with a particular focus on developing novel hybrid opto-electronics devices from initial design through to commercial realization. He collaborates extensively with researchers across disciplines, particularly with Professor Nigel Lovell and other colleagues in biomedical engineering. His laboratory focuses on developing optical technologies for neural interfaces, with current projects including multi-optrode arrays for brain-machine interfaces, optical telemetry systems for various sensing applications, and diamond-based photonic structures. The research group maintains strong connections with industry partners and defense organizations, applying photonics solutions to real-world problems in healthcare, mining safety, and ocean monitoring.
Vanessa Bowden is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychological Science at The University of Western Australia. She serves as Graduate Research Coordinator for the School, Deputy Director of the Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology program, and Co-Director of the Human Factors and Applied Cognition Laboratory. Her academic credentials include a PhD from The University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Human Factors and Safety Management Systems from the University of South Australia. Dr. Bowden's research expertise spans multiple domains within human factors and cognitive psychology. Her primary research interests include: Human interaction with technological systems Automation design and human-automation interaction Driver distraction and transportation safety Cognitive processes in complex work settings Situation awareness and workload management Prospective memory in applied contexts Her recent research has focused on understanding how humans interact with automated systems across various domains, from driving to air traffic control. Dr. Bowden has developed computational models of human decision-making with automated advice and has investigated the impact of automation transparency on operator performance. Her work has important implications for designing safer technological systems that optimize human performance. Dr. Bowden has received significant research funding, including an Australian Research Council Discovery grant (2024) for $924,198 for "A Unified Computational Model of How Humans Use Automated Advice" and multiple Department of Defence grants. Her research has been published extensively in top-tier journals in human factors and cognitive psychology. She has supervised numerous research students and currently accepts PhD and other Higher Degree by Research students. Dr. Bowden teaches several courses including Psychology of Training (PSYC5573), Industrial and Organisational Psychology (PSYC3309), and Perception and Sensory Neuropsychology (PSYC3318).
Associate Professor Yan Wong is a faculty member at Monash University's Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering and Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. His research focuses on neural prosthetics, brain-machine interfaces, and restoring sensory functions through cutting-edge neural recording and stimulation techniques. He leads the Neurobionics Laboratory, advancing technologies like the Gennaris vision system, a wireless cortical implant for restoring vision in the blind. Yan holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from UNSW and has conducted postdoctoral research at New York University and the University of Melbourne. His work bridges engineering and medicine, addressing critical healthcare challenges such as quadriplegia, epilepsy, and hearing loss. He actively supervises students and contributes to teaching biomedical engineering courses at Monash, fostering the next generation of researchers. Key research interests include visual cortex stimulation, cochlear implants, spike-LFP interactions in movement planning, and endovascular neural interfaces. He has led or collaborated on multiple ARC-funded projects, including studies on neural prosthetic efficacy, chronic pain modulation, and visual attention mechanisms. His interdisciplinary approach integrates neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and clinical translation, aiming to deliver impactful medical technologies. Yan’s contributions have advanced neural prosthetics toward commercialization, with a focus on improving healthcare outcomes through innovative biomedical solutions.
Professor Alistair McEwan, affiliated with the University of Sydney's School of Biomedical Engineering, specializes in biomedical devices and instrumentation for neurological and cardiovascular diagnostics. As the Cerebral Palsy Chair of Technology and Engineering and Associate Head (External Engagement), he focuses on low-cost medical solutions for resource-limited settings, including neonatal care and stroke detection. His research bridges biophysics and clinical translation, with applications in electrical impedance tomography, wearable sensors, and neuroprosthetics. PhD from University of Oxford Member of the Sydney Nano Institute, Brain and Mind Centre, and Charles Perkins Centre His work explores how tissue electrical properties can enhance understanding of neural signaling and implant design. Clinical collaborators include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for newborn nutrition monitoring. Recent projects involve AI-assisted critical care modeling, bionic devices for stress measurement, and adaptive control systems for neonatal resuscitation equipment.
Professor Stuart Johnstone is a prominent researcher and educator in the School of Psychology at the University of Wollongong. He has held academic positions at UOW since 1999, progressing from Lecturer to his current role as Professor since 2018. He previously served as Deputy Head of School (Teaching and Learning) from 2020-2023 and Acting Head of School in 2024. He also maintains a Visiting Professor position at Zhejiang Normal University's Faculty of Special Education since 2018. His educational background includes a PhD and Bachelor of Science (Honours Class I) from the University of Wollongong, followed by post-doctoral work at the University of Sydney's Department of Psychological Medicine. He is a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (2001-2022). Johnstone's research focuses on neurophysiological approaches to understanding and treating ADHD, particularly using brain electrical activity measures to improve assessment and diagnosis. His work spans biological psychology, psychophysiology, and developmental psychology, with emphasis on neurocognitive training interventions for children with ADHD. He has developed innovative approaches to ADHD assessment that incorporate EEG measurements alongside traditional clinical evaluations. His publication record demonstrates consistent focus on ADHD neurophysiology, with recent work expanding into cross-cultural applications, portable EEG technology for educational settings, and animal-assisted interventions. His research shows growing emphasis on practical applications of neurocognitive assessment and training, with increasing attention to remote delivery methods and cross-cultural validity of interventions. UOW Vice-Chancellors Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research Commercialisation (2013) UOW Vice-Chancellors Award for Global Strategy (2018) Johnstone actively supervises numerous PhD students, with current projects examining sleep patterns in ADHD, human-dog interactions for wellbeing, and test anxiety in school children. His research is supported by multiple grants including external funding from the Prevention Research Support Program and internal University of Wollongong grants focused on neurocognitive assessment and training. His work has strong international collaboration, particularly with Chinese institutions. He coordinates courses in Biological Psychology and Psychophysiology and has developed international educational programs in Singapore. His research group focuses on translating neurophysiological findings into practical assessment tools and interventions for ADHD, with recent work emphasizing portable technology and cross-cultural applications.
Dr. Farveh Farivar is a Senior Lecturer and Senior Advisor in Management at Curtin University's School of Management and Marketing (Faculty of Business and Law). With 11 years of experience in tertiary education and consulting, they specialize in organizational systems, human behavior, and digital transformation impacts. Their roles include regional representative for ANZAM Board (WA/SA) and former EURAM Country Representative (Australia). They founded the ANZAM Research Method SIG and co-convener of the Mixed-Method Research SIG (2017-2024). Research focuses on digital transformation's effects on employee behavior, career mobility in digital age, work-life interface dynamics, and advanced research methodologies like Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Notable contributions include studies on GitHub Copilot emotional responses, career plateaus, and skilled migrant integration challenges. Awarded ANZAM's Innovative Management Educator (2021) and multiple teaching excellence recognitions from UTAS and Curtin. Active in global academic networks including AOM and EURAM. Consults on organizational performance and culture projects, managing large-scale initiatives from conception to dissemination. Teaches Strategic Management (MGMT3010), Corporate Strategy (MGMT6010), and Innovation Management (MGMT3007) Publications span 20+ peer-reviewed articles in International Journal of Human Resource Management , Personnel Review , and Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking Expertise in mixed-methods research, including fuzzy-set QCA and configurational analysis
