Dr. Alireza Nili is a Senior Lecturer in Service Science at QUT's School of Information Systems within the Faculty of Science. His expertise spans digitization of customer-centric services, AI/chatbots, IoT/IIoT, and sustainable technologies. He holds a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington and has coordinated large-scale courses like IT Systems Design (IFB103), achieving top teaching scores. Nili's research focuses on service ecosystems, trust in digital services, and public/retail sector innovations. He has secured over $1.4M in industry grants for projects involving Cisco, Amazon, and Services Australia. His awards include the 2023 Educator of the Year and multiple top conference paper recognitions. Nili supervises PhD students at Level 3 mentoring status and contributes to major conferences as track chair/associate editor. Research highlights include frameworks for chatbot governance, IOT in agriculture, and AI ethics. His work appears in IEEE Software , Communications of the ACM , and MIT Sloan Management Review . Current projects address consumer trust in AI technologies and spatial data systems. Nili's interdisciplinary approach combines design science with empirical methodologies to bridge theory and practice in digital service innovation.
Professor Barney Tan serves as Professor of Information Systems and Senior Deputy Dean (Impact and Partnerships) at UNSW Business School. Previously, he held the position of Head of School (Information Systems and Technology Management) and was formerly Professor of Strategic Information Systems at The University of Sydney. Professor Tan completed his PhD in Information Systems at the National University of Singapore in 2012, following a Bachelor of Computing (Honors) in Information Systems from the same institution in 2004. His research focuses on strategic information systems, AI management and implementation, digital platforms and ecosystems, fintech, and information systems for sustainable development with particular emphasis on IT trends in the Asia-Pacific region including China and ASEAN countries. As an engaged researcher, Professor Tan is deeply passionate about translational research that contributes toward sustainable development and frequently provides advisory support to organizations he has studied, including national governments through his work with the United Nations International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries. His research has been published in top-tier journals including MIS Quarterly, Information Systems Research, Journal of Association of Information Systems, Information Systems Journal, and The Journal of Strategic Information Systems. Senior Editor, Information Systems Journal (2022-Present) Senior Editor, Information Technology and People (2019-Present) Associate Editor, Internet Research (2020-Present) Associate Editor, Information and Management (2016-Present) Editorial Board Member, Information Systems Research (2022-Present) Editorial Board Member, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management (2017-Present) Professor Tan has received numerous prestigious teaching and research awards throughout his distinguished career: 22 awards in 11 years at The University of Sydney SUPRA Teacher of the Year award for 2019 and 2020 SUPRA Supervisor of the Year award for 2019, 2020 and 2021 The University of Sydney Business School Dean's Award for Teaching in 2019 Multiple Dean's Citations for Teaching across various courses and semesters Professor Tan has successfully secured multiple competitive research grants: Hong Kong University Grants Committee General Research Fund (2020-2022): 'The Impact of Social Media on Digital Guanxi Formation in the Chinese Workplace', Co-Investigator, HKD$475,617 (A$88,286) The University of Sydney Business School Industry Partnership Grant (2017): 'International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries Research Development Project', Chief Investigator, A$27,238 Zhejiang Gongshang University Strategic Research Grant (2016-2019): 'Emerging Digital Commerce Platforms: Development Patterns and Usage Behavior', Principal Investigator, CNY$300,000 (A$60,535) Multiple University of Sydney Bridging Support Grants (2015-2016) focused on digital commerce and Australian-China trade Professor Tan is frequently featured in mainstream media outlets including ABC News, Business Insider, Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, News.com.au, The Australian Financial Review, CIO, and Bloomberg Businessweek, where he provides expert commentary on technology-related topics such as cryptocurrency, digital platforms, and China's tech landscape.
Professor Hak-Kim Chan of the Sydney Pharmacy School at the University of Sydney is a world-renowned expert in respiratory drug delivery, particularly pulmonary aerosols and inhalation therapies. With over 480 publications and 17,580+ Google Scholar citations, he has pioneered advancements in powder formulation , in silico modeling , and clinical applications of inhalation technologies. His work includes the development of FDA-approved diagnostics like Aridol™ (inhaled mannitol for asthma) and Bronchitol™ (for cystic fibrosis), and groundbreaking research on inhaled bacteriophage therapy to combat antibiotic-resistant respiratory infections. Education: BPharm (University Medal, 1983), PhD (1988), DSc (2009) from University of Sydney Professional Experience: Postdoc at University of Minnesota (1988–89), Scientist at Genentech Inc. (1992–95) Leadership: Executive Editor of Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews , Fellow of AAPS and RACI His research spans in vitro production methods, computational modeling of inhaler design, and in vivo imaging of aerosol deposition. Current projects focus on nanomedicine , phage therapy , and combating superbugs via inhalation routes. He has secured significant recognition for his work, including NHMRC case studies highlighting public health impacts. Professor Chan has supervised numerous researchers, including PhD student Grace YAU studying pulmonary probiotic delivery . His team's 10 patents (7 as first inventor) reflect practical innovations in dry powder inhalers , antimicrobial formulations , and drug stabilization technologies.
Dr. Kanchana Thilakarathna is a Senior Lecturer in Distributed Computing at the University of Sydney's School of Computer Science, and a member of the Centre for Distributed and High Performance Computing. They hold a PhD from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and a B.Sc. Eng (Hons) from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Prior to academia, they worked as a Research Scientist at CSIRO/Data61 and had industry experience as a Mobile Radio Network Engineer. Research Interests : Dr. Thilakarathna focuses on cybersecurity, privacy in mobile and IoT systems, mixed reality privacy, and distributed computing platforms. Their work emphasizes user-centric solutions like the Yalut social media app, which enables decentralized data sharing. Key themes include privacy-preserving techniques, edge computing, and secure federated learning frameworks. Recent Work : Recent articles (2023–2025) explore machine unlearning for large language models, federated learning security, and IoT network slicing using P4 programmability. Their work on synthetic video traffic generation (VideoTrain++) and drone detection (DronePrint) demonstrates cross-disciplinary innovation. Awards : Malcolm Chaikin Prize (2015), Meta Research Awards (2020/2022), and Heidelberg Laureate Fellowship (2019). Grants : ARC Research Hub for Future Digital Manufacturing (2024), NSW Defence Innovation Network Projects (2024/2021), and Facebook Research Awards (2022/2020). Students : Advising 4 current PhD students on topics like wireless trust establishment and machine unlearning. Labs/Teams : Part of the Centre for Distributed and High Performance Computing and Sydney Nano Institute.
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.
Professor Oula Ghannoum is a renowned plant scientist and academic leader at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE), Western Sydney University. She serves as Director of the ARC Training Centre for Smart and Sustainable Horticulture and holds leadership roles, including Biological Sciences Discipline Lead and Associate Editor at Functional Plant Biology . Her research focuses on photosynthesis, global change biology, and protected cropping, aiming to enhance food security and climate resilience through crop improvement and sustainable agricultural practices. Education: BSc (Honours) in Plant Biochemistry, University of NSW (1993) PhD in Plant Physiology, Western Sydney University (1998) Research Interests: Professor Ghannoum’s work addresses global challenges like food security and climate change by exploring plant responses to environmental stress. Her lab uses advanced technologies like smart glasshouses and hyperspectral imaging to optimize crop yield and quality. Key areas include sugar signaling pathways in C3/C4 plants, water use efficiency, and heat tolerance in cereal crops. Grants & Funding: She has secured over $25M in research funding, leading projects on C4 photosynthesis, automated crop monitoring, and protected cropping systems. Notable collaborations include the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis and Future Food Systems CRC. Awards: 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Research Award 2023 Education and Outreach Award (Australian Society of Plant Scientists) 2001 ARC Postdoctoral Fellowship Labs & Teams: Her team develops innovative frameworks for sustainable horticulture, combining biology with AI and smart technologies. Ongoing work includes imaging-based crop monitoring and phenotyping for climate-resilient crops.
Professor Jun Zhang is a leading academic in cybersecurity at Swinburne University, Australia, where he directs the Cybersecurity Lab. He has been honored as Australia's top cybersecurity researcher and instrumental in establishing Swinburne as a globally recognized cybersecurity research institution. His work includes high-impact papers and multi-million-dollar R&D projects, culminating in awards like the 2021 'Top Cybersecurity Research Institution' accolade. As course director of the Bachelor of Cyber Security, he pioneered an industry-driven teaching model with Deloitte and CSIRO, significantly boosting course enrollment. His collaborations extend to Adobe's Curriculum Innovation Program and the Australian P-TECH initiative, promoting STEM education and cybersecurity awareness. He supervises doctoral candidates and leads grants focused on AI-driven cybersecurity, smart home security, and blockchain-based edge computing. His research spans vulnerability detection, GAN forensics, IoT security, and privacy preservation in OSNs. Research interests include cybersecurity fundamentals, data science applications, and distributed systems. Notable achievements include the PTFix framework for Java vulnerabilities, the IoTFuzz smart home testing system, and CTI mining methodologies. Awards reflect his mid-career research excellence and industry partnerships. His grants with CSIRO and defense organizations emphasize real-world impact, addressing challenges from malware detection to adversarial machine learning. The Cybersecurity Lab and collaborative projects like Artchain demonstrate his commitment to bridging academia and industry. Professional activities include supervising over 20 HDR students and securing grants totaling millions. His work on blockchain-based edge storage (CSEdge) and SDCCP congestion control highlights innovation in networking. Future directions include advancing AI for design collaboration with CSIRO and enhancing privacy in smart energy technologies. His contributions span technical, educational, and community outreach domains, positioning him as a pivotal figure in cybersecurity's evolution.
Professor Michael Milford is a robotics and computer vision expert at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), serving as Joint Director of QUT's Centre for Robotics. His research bridges robotics, neuroscience, and computer vision, focusing on biologically inspired navigation systems for autonomous vehicles and drones. He has pioneered projects like SeqSLAM and RatSLAM, emphasizing the synergy between biological intelligence and robotic systems. Research Interests: Milford explores navigation algorithms inspired by animal behavior, energy-efficient neural networks, and autonomous systems. His work aims to create robots capable of operating in dynamic environments through interdisciplinary collaboration with institutions like MIT, Harvard, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Awards & Recognition: Awarded the 2019 Batterham Medal and a $2.7M Australian Laureate Fellowship for his project on GPS-independent positioning systems. His work has produced highly cited papers in robotics and computer vision, including breakthroughs in visual SLAM and place recognition under varying conditions. Teaching & Collaboration: Milford mentors students in robotics and AI, launching initiatives like the STEM Storybook to inspire youth. He collaborates globally, emphasizing cross-disciplinary research to bridge gaps between fundamental and applied sciences. Labs & Projects: Leads QUT's Centre for Robotics, advancing technologies for autonomous systems. His projects explore neuromorphic computing, SLAM systems, and bio-inspired navigation, with applications in defense, transport, and environmental monitoring.
Professor Ryan Ko is a leading academic in Cyber Security at the University of Queensland (UQ), serving as Chair and Director of the UQ Cyber Research Centre, Director of Research at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and a member of UQ's Academic Board. He holds a BEng (Computer Engineering) and PhD from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. His research focuses on data provenance, industrial control systems (ICS) security, privacy-preserving technologies, and AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. Ko has pioneered initiatives such as the UQ Cyber Centre, interdisciplinary cybersecurity education programs (MCyber, PGDipCyber), and the Oceania Cybersecurity Challenge. He has attracted over AUD 20 million in competitive grants as lead investigator, including the NZ$12.2M STRATUS project. Ko’s work spans industry and policy, including advisory roles with INTERPOL, governments, and NGOs. He has authored over 100 publications, contributed to ISO standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 21878), and co-founded cybersecurity startups. Awards include Fellowships from the Australian Computer Society and Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the CSA Ron Knode Service Award. Education: Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) (Hons.), Nanyang Technological University (2005) PhD in Computer Science, Nanyang Technological University (2011) Awards: Fellow, Australian Computer Society (2016) Fellow, Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences (2020) Young Professional Award, Singapore Government (2018) Grants & Leadership: AUD 20M+ lead investigator grants; NZ$12.2M STRATUS project (2014–2018) Established UQ Cyber Centre (2019) and NZ’s first cybersecurity graduate program (2012) His research emphasizes returning data control to users, with applications in agriculture, energy, and critical infrastructure. Ko’s contributions include patents, open-source tools (e.g., Kali Linux), and frameworks like TrustCloud for cloud accountability.
Mark Andrejevic is a Professor in the School of Media, Film, and Journalism at Monash University. He specializes in the socio-cultural implications of digital surveillance, data mining, and automated decision-making. His research spans Big Data ethics, privacy regulation, and the impact of technology on democracy. He leads major projects like the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, focusing on AI’s societal implications. Andrejevic has been awarded Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities and the Nancy Baym Book Award. His work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals addressing justice and innovation. Research interests include automated surveillance systems, digital privacy policies, and the ethical governance of emerging technologies. He collaborates on projects such as facial recognition technology ethics and pandemic-era surveillance practices. His recent publications analyze platform accountability, algorithmic bias, and the societal effects of workplace monitoring technologies. He actively contributes to public discourse via media engagements and policy-focused talks on topics like facial recognition in education and pandemic-era data collection. Projects: ARC QEII Fellowship ($390k, 2010–2014), Australian Public Attitudes to AI, and facial recognition ethics studies. Grants: Over $390k from ARC for privacy research, plus ongoing funding through collaborative initiatives. Awards: Australian Academy of Humanities Fellowship (2020), Nancy Baym Book Award (2014). He supervises graduate students in Digital Media, Surveillance Studies, and Critical Theory. His interdisciplinary work bridges academia, policy, and industry to address technology’s societal challenges while advocating for democratic values.
Professor Amy Mullens (University of Southern Queensland) is a leading academic in public health, gender studies, and clinical psychology. Her work focuses on sexual and reproductive health, transgender health equity, and healthcare access for marginalized populations, particularly within correctional systems. Key Affiliations : School of Psychology and Wellbeing, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions. Research Themes : Intersectional health disparities, HIV/STI prevention, gender-affirming healthcare, and mental health interventions. Research Trends : Recent publications emphasize digital health tools for STI/HIV risk prediction, transgender health policy, and qualitative analyses of incarceration experiences. She frequently collaborates on systematic reviews and mixed-methods studies addressing health equity. Advising : Supervises 16+ doctoral and master’s students (2021-2025) on topics spanning trauma, health literacy, and sexual health interventions.
Hongtao Zhu is an Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia, affiliated with the School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering. He holds a PhD from Northeastern University (China) and has held academic positions at UOW since 2002, progressing from Research Fellow (2002–2013) to Senior Lecturer/Lecturer (2013–2022) before becoming an Associate Professor in 2022. His research focuses on Contact Mechanics , Tribology , Advanced Manufacturing , and Computational Material Science . Notable contributions include studies on rail-wheel contact systems, high-entropy alloys, and friction reduction in manufacturing processes. He has authored/co-authored over 230 publications with an H-index of 38 (Scopus) and secured $2.2M in industry grants. Zhu leads the 'Wheel and Rail Contact System' research group, collaborating with major railway industries. He has supervised 22 PhD students (6 as principal supervisor) and currently oversees 5 PhD candidates. His professional roles include editorial board memberships for journals like Advances in Materials Science and Engineering and service as an assessor for funding bodies in Australia, Chile, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Key achievements include securing 5 ARC Discovery Projects, 3 ARC Linkage Projects, and industry collaborations with organizations like Sydney Trains and Comsteel. His work addresses critical challenges in rail infrastructure durability, material optimization, and sustainable manufacturing.
Dr. Liyi Zhou is a Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at the University of Sydney, specializing in systems security, blockchain, and AI. His research focuses on developing automated and adaptive security tools using machine learning and reinforcement learning. He co-founded D23E.ch, a platform addressing blockchain security and privacy challenges. Research interests include AI-driven vulnerability detection, large security models, real-time intrusion prevention, advanced program analysis (fuzzing/symbolic execution), and privacy-preserving systems. He actively recruits PhD students for projects advancing AI in cybersecurity. Notable achievements include pioneering 'sandwich attacks' discovery in DeFi protocols, contributing to Ethereum Foundation grants, and receiving bug bounties from Flashbots and Ethereum Foundation for vulnerability disclosures. His work has been published in venues like IEEE S&P, USENIX Security, and SIGMETRICS. Teaching includes the course INFO2222. He seeks collaborations and funding to bridge academic research with real-world industry problems, emphasizing practical impact.
Dr Dongbin Wei is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering , University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with a career spanning academia and industry. He holds a PhD in Materials Processing Engineering from the University of Science and Technology Beijing (2001) and academic appointments from 2005–2012 at the University of Wollongong (Research Fellow to Lecturer) and 2013–2017 at UTS (Senior Lecturer) before his promotion to Associate Professor in 2018. His research lies at the intersection of Mechanical Engineering , Manufacturing Engineering , and Materials Processing , focusing on: Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) Micro Metal Forming and Size Effects Tribology and Lubrication Numerical Simulations of Material Processing Composite Material Fabrication Key contributions include: Development of the Springback Path–Displacement Adjustment (SP-DA) method for stamping accuracy Advancements in femtosecond laser texturing for silicon wettability control Studies on nanolubrication in hot rolling Optimization of micro-deep drawing parameters He has secured competitive grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and industry partners like Weir Minerals Australia Ltd , including projects on: Revolutionizing mineral separation via additive manufacturing Super high-speed grinding technologies Mechanics of micro composite drill fabrication As a lead supervisor, he guided the 2022 thesis 'Creation and Validation of 3D Printable Mineral Separation Spiral' . His work bridges theoretical analysis, computational modeling (FEM/FEA), and practical validation in advanced manufacturing systems.
Professor Vinayak Dixit serves as the IAG Chair of Risk in Smart Cities and Director of the Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation (rCITI) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. With a distinguished career spanning academia and research leadership, Professor Dixit has established himself as a leading expert in transportation risk analysis and smart city infrastructure. Professor Dixit's research focuses on studying risk in transportation infrastructure systems, with particular emphasis on highway safety, travel time uncertainty, and resilience against natural and man-made disasters. His work integrates cutting-edge approaches including quantum computing applications for transportation network optimization, analysis of connected and automated vehicles, and development of models for transportation resilience. His research interests span multiple disciplines, bridging civil engineering, transportation science, risk analysis, and computational methods. Professor Dixit has secured significant research funding from prestigious organizations including the United States National Science Foundation, Federal Highway Administration, and the Strategic Highway Research Program of the Transportation Research Board. His leadership extends to directing the Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation (rCITI), where he oversees a comprehensive research program addressing critical transportation challenges in smart cities through multiple focus areas including Connected Mobility Services, Deep Data and Digitization, Engineering Smart Cities & Logistics, Human-Centred And Automated Systems Design, and Integrated Infrastructure Strategic Planning. Professor Dixit previously served as the Associate Director of Research for the Gulf Coast Centre for Evacuation and Transportation Resiliency at Louisiana State University, where he founded the Driving Simulator Laboratory in collaboration with other faculty members. This demonstrates his longstanding commitment to innovative research infrastructure development and interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, economics, computer science, and urban planning to address complex transportation challenges in the 21st century.
