Professor Robert McLaughlin is a faculty member in the School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide, affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. He leads the Bioengineering Imaging Group and serves as Managing Director of the start-up Miniprobes. His research focuses on developing optical imaging technologies, including non-invasive tools for blood flow assessment and miniaturized imaging probes. He has secured over $14M in research grants and holds an h-index of 45 with 98 journal papers, 7 patents, and 2 book chapters. Prof. McLaughlin’s career includes roles at the University of Oxford and Siemens Medical Solutions, followed by academic leadership since 2007. His innovations span optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescence imaging, and dual-modality systems for clinical applications. Awards include the 2014 WA Innovator of the Year, 2015 Australian Innovation Challenge, and 2016 South Australian Premier’s Research Fellowship. His research emphasizes practical medical solutions, such as imaging needles for deep-tissue diagnostics and optical devices for real-time surgical monitoring. The Bioengineering Imaging Group collaborates with industry and academia to translate technologies into clinical practice.
David Lo is the OUB Chair Professor of Computer Science at Singapore Management University's School of Computing and Information Systems, where he directs the Information Systems and Technology Cluster and the Center for Research on Intelligent Software Engineering. An ACM Fellow, IEEE Fellow, and ASE Fellow, his research focuses on AI for Software Engineering (AI4SE), leveraging machine learning, data mining, and NLP to enhance software analytics and automation. Research Highlights: AI4SE, code LLMs, human-AI synergy in software engineering, software reliability, and empirical studies of practitioner pain points Awards: IEEE TCSE Distinguished Service Award, university-wide Teaching Excellence Award, Outstanding Graduate Supervisor Award, 2 Test-of-Time Awards, and 11 ACM SIGSOFT/IEEE TCSE Distinguished Paper Awards Leadership: General Chair of ASE'16 and MSR'22, PC Co-Chair for ASE'20, FSE'24, and ICSE'25, ACM SIGSOFT Executive Committee member His work has received over 20 awards, 37,000 citations, and an H-index of 100. As an educator, he has mentored trainees who became faculty and R&D experts globally.
Professor Massimiliano Tani Bertuol is a distinguished academic specializing in economics at UNSW Canberra's School of Business, where he has served as Professor since 2015. His professional affiliations extend beyond UNSW as he is an Associate Investigator/Member at CEPAR; Ageing Futures; uDASH; AI Institute; and Cyber security (IFCYBER). Additionally, he maintains international connections as a Research Fellow at the Institute for the Future of Labor (IZA) in Germany since 2005, an Associate Member at Macquarie University's Centre for Workforce Futures since 2018, and a Research Fellow at the Global Labor Organization (GLO) in Maastricht since 2016. His educational background reflects a strong foundation in economics and business, having earned a PhD in Economics from the Australian National University (2003), a Master of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics (1992), and a Bachelor's degree in Business/Economics from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy (1989). His academic journey has positioned him as a leading researcher in human capital economics with international recognition. Professor Tani Bertuol's research centers on human capital development and its economic implications. His work examines how human capital can be fostered, efficiently transferred internationally through migration, and how it affects productivity, innovation, and economic growth at both firm and national levels. His research spans multiple regions including Australia, Europe, the US, Africa, and China, with particular focus on migration economics, labor market outcomes, and the economic impacts of education and skills. His current research agenda includes non-pecuniary incentives, behavioral/financial decisions in China, occupational licensing, language skills and economic assimilation, AI-human interactions in health contexts, and labor mobility and productivity. Analysis of his recent publications reveals significant interdisciplinary trends bridging economics with public health, environmental science, and technology. His work connects migration dynamics with economic outcomes, examines household financial behaviors through gender lenses, and investigates the complex relationships between environmental factors like air pollution and economic activities including education investment and entrepreneurship. More recent work explores AI applications in health and the economic implications of pandemic responses, demonstrating his ability to address contemporary challenges through rigorous economic analysis. 2023: UNSW ARC Postgraduate Council (Arc PGC) award for excellence in research supervision 2011: Vice-Chancellor Award for Teaching Excellence 2011: Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence for teaching economics Professor Tani Bertuol has successfully supervised 4 PhD students to completion, with 1 submitted dissertation and 5 currently under supervision. His active research program is supported by significant grant funding including an ARC Linkage Project (2023-27) on regional Australia's skills shortages and high-skill refugees' employment ($354,811), an ARC Discovery Project (2019-23) on migrant aging and wellbeing ($478,000), and a NUW Alliance grant (2021-23) on hearing screening and academic outcomes ($73,367). He serves as Associate Editor for Social Indicators Research and Higher Education Research & Development, contributing to scholarly discourse in his fields of expertise. His teaching portfolio includes courses in data analytics, finance, and professional executive education focused on cost-benefit analysis and data communication. He teaches ZBUS2333 Data Analytics and Visualisation, ZBUS8105 Finance and Investment Appraisal, and ZBUS8149 Introduction to Finance, demonstrating his commitment to developing the next generation of economics professionals with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
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.
Wilhelmina Mulders is an Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia (UWA), based in the School of Human Sciences. She holds dual roles in teaching and research, coordinating neuroscience programs and the Master of Clinical Audiology. Her research focuses on auditory neuroscience, particularly brain plasticity linked to hearing loss, tinnitus, and cochlear implant fibrosis. She has secured over $3.5 million in grants since 2001 from organizations like the NHMRC and Telethon Trust. Education: PhD in Neuroanatomy (Nijmegen, 1997), followed by a postdoc in hippocampal anatomy. Joined UWA’s Auditory Lab in 1997, becoming a tenured faculty member in 2015. Research Interests: Explores auditory system dynamics, including how hearing loss impacts cognition and tinnitus. Techniques include electrophysiology, behavioral studies, and gene/protein expression analysis. Recent work addresses cochlear implant fibrosis and pediatric hearing assessment tools. Awards: School of Human Sciences Research Mentorship Award (2022) Channel 7 Telethon Grants (2021, 2022) Teaching & Grants: Coordinates multiple courses (e.g., NEUR5011, PHYL5501) and leads 15 active grants, including projects on auditory processing interventions and pediatric audiology equipment. Labs & Teams: Active in the Auditory Laboratory at UWA, collaborating on projects like silk-based tympanic membrane repair and auditory cued exercise for children.
Professor Gregg Suaning is a leading academic in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Sydney, affiliated with the School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Sydney Nano Institute, and the Brain and Mind Centre. He holds a PhD from UNSW and has over 25 years of experience in implantable neuroprosthetics, focusing on restoring sensory functions for the blind and deaf. His work spans academic and industry roles, including contributions to Cochlear's cochlear implant innovations and pioneering visual prosthetic research. Education: PhD (UNSW, 2003), MSc and BSc (California State University, 1986-1988). Research interests center on developing implantable bionics to restore vision and hearing. Notable projects include the Phoenix 99 suprachoroidal visual prosthesis and facial nerve paralysis interventions. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed papers and secured $60M+ in research funding. Awards include the Bartimaeus Award for contributions to the blind community and multiple innovation awards. He leads IEEE's Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society committees and holds senior IEEE membership. Current projects focus on facial nerve paralysis treatments, high-density micro-electrode arrays, and improving cochlear implant efficacy. His lab collaborates with clinical partners to advance biocompatible neural interfaces and prosthetic systems.
Henry Cutler is a Professor and Inaugural Director of the Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy (MUCHE), affiliated with the Macquarie Business School at Macquarie University. He holds a Visiting Research Fellowship at the University of Oxford and has extensive leadership experience in health economics, including roles at KPMG and Deloitte Access Economics. His research focuses on policy evaluation, value-based healthcare, mental health, and aged care, with significant contributions to over 180 commissioned research projects for governments and NGOs. Education: PhD in Economics, University of New South Wales Master of Economics, University of Sydney Bachelor of Business (Economics), University of Technology Sydney Research Interests: Policy evaluation, value-based payments, mental health economics, aged care financing, and integrated care systems. His work emphasizes translating economic research into actionable policies, particularly for vulnerable populations. Awards and Recognition: Deeble Institute Fellowship (2022) MQBS Research Impact Prize 2023 Macquarie Business School Impact Competition Winner (2020, 2022) Awarded grants totaling $34M as Chief Investigator Grants and Leadership: Leads over 40 research projects at MUCHE, valued at $10M+, and chairs national advisory panels on aged care, mental health, and suicide prevention. His Macquarie University Evaluation Group evaluates medicines and medical devices for national committees like PBAC and MSAC. Media and Outreach: Active in public discourse, with 112 media contributions, 15 TV/radio interviews, and 13 high-impact articles in The Conversation (350k+ reads). Authored reports analyzing federal budgets and health policies.
Professor Qing Li is a faculty member at the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney. He obtained his PhD from Sydney in 2000, underwent postdoc training at Cornell University (2000-2001), and held academic roles at James Cook University (2004-2006). He joined Sydney in 2006 via a Sesqui senior lectureship, becoming Associate Professor in 2010 and Professor in 2014. He served as Director of Postgraduate Studies (2007-2012) and Director of Biomedical Engineering (2017-2019). Education: PhD (University of Sydney, 2000), ME (UTS), ME (Hunan) His research focuses on computational design, multidisciplinary optimization of nonlinear and time-dependent multifunctional materials, and biomedical applications. Key areas include additive manufacturing , biomechanics , and machine learning in structural reliability. Recent publications emphasize fracture modeling in biomaterials, reliability analysis, and tissue scaffold design. Recent publications highlight Bayesian learning for robotic systems, probabilistic transformation in reliability analysis, and phase field fracture models for additively manufactured composites. Collaborations with industry partners like Cochlear and Stryker span ARC , NHMRC , and MRFF projects. Awards: Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2020), Top 50 Australia Research Leader (2020), APACM Computational Mechanics Award (2016) Fellowships: ARC Future Fellow (2013-2017), ARC Australian Postdoctoral Fellow (2001) He supervises PhD students in projects like epidermal electrodes , Silver Diamine Fluoride remineralization , and virtual surgical planning . His leadership extends to the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology and editorial roles in computational methods journals.
Overview Amr Al Abed is a Senior Lecturer at the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales . He specializes in computational modeling, biomedical instrumentation, and electrophysiology with a focus on cardiac and neural systems. His work bridges biocomputational simulations with experimental validation, emphasizing translational applications like gene therapy delivery, medical devices, and brain-machine interfaces. Education PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW, 2012) Masters in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW, 2006) Bachelor of Medical Sciences (1st Class Honours, UNSW, 2004) Research Interests His research spans: Optrode Technology: Development of liquid crystal-based optrodes for neural and cardiac sensing. Gene Electrotransfer: Novel methods for targeted DNA/RNA delivery using conductivity-clamped electric fields. Computational Cardiology: Multi-physics models of heart mechanics and fluid dynamics for surgical planning and device design. Neural Interfaces: Bidirectional stimulation/detection systems for retinal and neural prosthetics. Publications His 2023-2025 work highlights advancements in flexible electrode arrays , motorless robotic systems , and deep tissue gene delivery . Key themes include biomedical device innovation, computational modeling of cardiovascular systems, and neurotechnology. Grants & Labs Leads projects on liquid crystal optrodes and electrotransfer systems. Collaborates with labs focused on neural interfaces and cardiac electrophysiology. Active in IEEE and SPIE conferences with over 70 peer-reviewed publications.
Emma Olin is a Researcher at the Macquarie Business School , Macquarie University, with expertise in health economics, cost-benefit analysis, and healthcare policy. Her research focuses on the economic evaluation of medical interventions, particularly cochlear implants and outcomes-based funding models. Education: Master of Medical Science in Health Economics, Policy and Management from Karolinska Institutet (2011–2013) Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Lund University (2007–2011) Emma's work applies machine learning to map patient-reported outcomes to health state utility values, and she has led studies on the cost-effectiveness of cochlear implants in the UK and Sweden. Her research outputs include high-impact articles in journals like Health Economics and European Journal of Health Economics , alongside commissioned reports and conference abstracts. She has presented on topics such as public hospital selection and quality information usage at events in 2017–2018. Her collaborations span institutions in the UK and Sweden, with citations in Scopus and policy references. Contact: emma.olin@mq.edu.au
Osvaldo De Almeida is a Professor of Geriatric Psychiatry at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and holds an adjunct position in the UWA Medical School's Psychiatry department. He completed his medical training at the University of São Paulo and earned a PhD from the Institute of Psychiatry in London. His research focuses on modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline, neuropsychology, and neuroimaging of mental disorders in later life. Key awards include the Jansen Award for Schizophrenia Research (1994). He has led numerous NHMRC-funded projects totaling over A$5 million, investigating cognitive impairment, depression, and lifestyle interventions in aging populations. Education: MD from University of São Paulo (1986), PhD in Psychiatry from the Institute of Psychiatry, London (1993). Research Interests: Geriatric Psychiatry Depression and Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia with Late Onset Cognitive Decline Mechanisms Neuroimaging Applications Recent Articles Highlight: Cardiac biomarkers and cardiovascular disease risk Psychological interventions for subthreshold depression Impact of diabetes medications on mental health Grants and Projects: Over 75 funded projects since 2001 A$1.8M for Ageing Well research (2006–2011) Kimberley Indigenous Health Studies Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Centre for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Care, Perth Elderly Cohort Study.
Dr. Jun Yu is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Finance at the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Business and Economics. His research focuses on MACRO-FINANCE and ASSET PRICING, contributing to financial market dynamics and investment strategies. He is affiliated with the Centre for Asian Business and Economics, exploring economic implications in regional contexts. His academic work demonstrates interdisciplinary engagement, with publications spanning biological and medical research areas such as proteomics, cell biology, and infectious disease mechanisms. These studies include investigations into lipid droplet interactions, neuronal differentiation, and bacterial pathogenesis. Awards and grants are not explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. Dr. Yu collaborates across disciplines, evident in his diverse publication portfolio. His research integrates quantitative methods with empirical analysis, addressing both financial and biomedical challenges.
Gregory Leigh is a Conjoint Professor in the Macquarie School of Education at Macquarie University and Director of NextSense Institute, a research and professional education center affiliated with the university. He holds a PhD in Psychology and Special Education from Monash University, an MSc in Speech and Hearing Science from Washington University, and a BEd in Special Education from Griffith University. His research focuses on deaf education, hearing impairment, and child development, with notable contributions to early intervention strategies and policy development. Affiliations: Director of NextSense Institute; Member of Editorial Boards for Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education and Phonetics and Speech Sciences . Education: PhD in Psychology and Special Education (Monash University, 1996) MSc in Speech and Hearing Science (Washington University, 1985) BEd in Special Education (Griffith University, 1981) His research interests include cochlear implants, psychosocial skills of deaf children, and cultural diversity in hearing healthcare. He has led projects such as the Longitudinal Outcomes of Hearing-Impaired Children (LOCHI) study and contributed to national newborn hearing screening initiatives. Key honors include the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to the deaf community and the Peter Howson Medal. He currently chairs the Australasian Newborn Hearing Screening Committee and has held leadership roles in global deaf education organizations like the World Federation of the Deaf. His work bridges academia, policy, and clinical practice to improve outcomes for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
Robert Eikelboom is an Adjunct Professor at Curtin University and an Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria. He serves as Research Manager-Corporate at the Ear Science Institute Australia and previously held roles at the WHO Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss (2019–2023). His expertise spans over 35 years in medical research, with a focus on telehealth, epidemiology, and public health since 2001. Eikelboom holds a BE in Electronics, BApplSc in Biomedical Engineering, and a PhD in Medical Image Analysis from the University of Western Australia. His research emphasizes telemedicine, hearing loss prevention, and audiological innovations. Key funding sources include the Garnett Passe Foundation, NHMRC, and the Commonwealth Department of Health. He has authored over 240 peer-reviewed papers and 11 book chapters, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. Eikelboom’s work bridges clinical practice and technology, addressing gaps in hearing healthcare delivery. Recent studies explore cognitive impacts of hearing loss, cochlear implant outcomes, and mental health correlations. He collaborates internationally, particularly in South Africa, and advocates for equitable access to hearing solutions.
Dr Nicole Matthews is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies at Macquarie University, Sydney. Her research focuses on disability and Deaf studies, digital technologies, and media's role in social justice. She holds a PhD from Griffith University and has taught at Liverpool John Moores University (UK). She is affiliated with the Hearing Research Centre and has collaborated on projects involving digital hearing aids, Deaf storytelling, and dementia care education. Education : BA (Hons) English/Politics (Adelaide, 1991), PhD (Griffith, 1998) Key Projects : Research on mobile phones/digital hearing aids, Deaf youth video storytelling, and digital life stories in dementia training Teaching : Courses on (Ab)normal bodies in media (CUL322) and health/bodies/media (CUL260) Her research interests span auto/biography, assistive technologies, and inclusive education. She has published on topics like cochlear implants, digital health apps, and queer gaming avatars. She has supervised PhD projects addressing disability narratives, gender embodiment, and animal policies. Her funded projects include collaborations with the NSW Deaf Society, Dementia Training Study Centre, and HEARing CRC. She has edited journals like Somatechnics and contributed to policy debates on terms like 'retard'.
