Prof. Ivan Cole is an Adjunct Professor at RMIT University's School of Engineering, specializing in rapid materials discovery for corrosion protection, nanostructures, and additive manufacturing. His work integrates computational modeling with high-throughput experimentation, focusing on corrosion inhibitors, biocompatible surfaces, and additive manufacturing process optimization. With over 30 years of experience across academia and industry (including leadership roles at CSIRO and Centro-Svilluppo Materiali), he leads the Rapid Discovery & Fabrication Team (RDF) to advance these research areas. Research Interests: Corrosion science, microbially induced corrosion (MIC), additive manufacturing surfaces, nanostructure sensing, multiscale modeling, and green materials discovery. His team addresses challenges in corrosion protection, biomedical implants, and environmental remediation through innovative methodologies. Awards: 2019 Australian Corrosion Medal 2016 CSIRO Lifetime Achievement Award 2013 Best Paper in NACE Corrosion Supervision & Projects: Active in mentoring PhD/Master’s students across corrosion inhibition, additive manufacturing, and nanostructure design. Notable projects include developing quorum sensing inhibitors for biofilm control, in-situ monitoring for metal AM, and eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors. Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Rapid Discovery & Fabrication Team and collaborates with industry partners to translate research into practical solutions for materials durability and sustainability.
Ruth Reef is an Associate Professor at the School of Earth Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University. She leads the Coastal Research Group, focusing on coastal dynamics, climate change impacts, and environmental DNA applications. Her research emphasizes mangrove and coral reef ecosystems' resilience to sea level rise and human activity. She coordinates courses such as EAE3311 (Oceans and Coasts) and teaches EAE1022 (Earth, Atmosphere and Environment 2). Expertise: Coastal processes, sediment transport, climate adaptation, and ecosystem management. Projects: Includes studies on mangrove restoration in Vietnam, coastal wetland carbon fluxes, and bathymetry innovations via CoastBAT. Her work addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and sustainable ecosystems. Notably, she received the 2021 Award for Exceptional Educational Service to the Faculty of Science.
Dr. Tan Wen Shan is a Lecturer in Mechatronics Engineering at Monash University Malaysia, specializing in power systems and renewable energy integration. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (2017), an MEng in Electrical Engineering (2013), and a BEng in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (2011). His research focuses on stochastic generation scheduling, energy storage systems, smart grids, and blockchain applications in energy markets. Education: BEng (Electrical and Electronics Engineering), Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 2011 MEng (Electrical Engineering), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 2013 PhD (Electrical Engineering), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 2017 Research Interests: Stochastic generation scheduling with renewable integration Power system flexibility and resilience Electricity market operations and blockchain Artificial intelligence in energy systems Publications and Projects: Recent work includes P2P energy trading, transportable energy storage, and resilience-based scheduling under natural disasters. Active projects include sustainable energy bike lanes in Kuala Lumpur and AI-assisted energy storage planning. His articles emphasize renewable energy forecasting, smart grid optimization, and decentralized energy systems. Awards: ITEX 2023 Prize (2023) IBM Call for Code 2022 Green Practice Challenge Accelerator Prize (2022) Teaching and Supervision: Unit Coordinator for TRC3500 (Sensors and Artificial Perceptions) and TRC3600 (Modelling and Control) Supervised multiple final-year projects on energy systems and smart grids (2023–2024).
Dr. Amir Beheshti is a Research Fellow at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong (UoW). He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Queensland (2017–2021), focusing on polymer brush-grafted colloids as lubricant additives. Previously, he served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of South Australia (2021–2023) within the ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-efficient Beneficiation of Minerals, where he applied surface-sensitive techniques like AFM and QCM-D to study polymer-surface interactions. His research integrates colloid and interface science with physical chemistry, emphasizing tribology, adsorption, and wetting phenomena. Key projects include collaboration with BlueScope Steel in the Steel Research Hub to develop advanced coatings and nanomaterials for industrial applications. He also teaches as a tutor in Modern Inorganic and Bio-inorganic Chemistry at UoW. Beheshti’s work spans experimental and applied research in lubricant additives, flame-retardant coatings, and nanofluids. His studies utilize cutting-edge techniques such as atomic force microscopy and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring to analyze surface interactions and material properties.
Duen Horng (Polo) Chau is an Associate Professor of Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology, where he co-directs the MS Analytics program. He serves as Director of Industry Relations for The Institute for Data Engineering and Science (IDEaS) and Associate Director of Corporate Relations for The Center for Machine Learning. Ph.D. in Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon University His research group integrates machine learning and visualization to develop scalable interactive tools for analyzing massive datasets, interpreting AI models, and addressing challenges in cybersecurity, human-centered AI, graph visualization and mining, and social good. His work has led to open-sourced or deployed technologies by Intel (e.g., ShapeShifter, SHIELD), Google, Facebook, Symantec (Polonium, AESOP), and Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, with Symantec's AESOP protecting 120 million users from malware. Scientific Awards & Fellowships: Carnegie Mellon University Computer Science Dissertation Award (Honorable Mention) Intel Outstanding Researcher Award Raytheon Faculty Fellowship Edenfield Faculty Fellowship Outstanding Junior Faculty Award The Lester Endowment Award Symantec Fellowship (twice) Best Student Paper (SDM'14) Runner-up Best Student Paper (KDD'16) Runner-up Best Demo (SIGMOD'17) Chinese CHI'18 Best Paper ACM TiiS 2018 Best Paper (Honorable Mention) He has received research grants from NSF, NIH, NASA, DARPA, Google, NVIDIA, IBM, Yahoo, Amazon, Microsoft, eBay, and LexisNexis. His leadership roles include steering committee membership for ACM IUI, Associate Editor for ACM TIIS, and organizing chairs for ACM KDD'14, ACM WSDM'16, and the IDEA workshop at KDD.
Associate Professor Paul Dargusch is an Honorary Associate Professor in the School of the Environment at the University of Queensland. His research focuses on environmental management, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development. He has contributed to projects in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other regions, addressing topics such as peatland restoration, carbon management in industries, and renewable energy policy. His work spans interdisciplinary collaborations with institutions like the Climate Change Development Authority of Papua New Guinea and the University of Technology in Papua New Guinea. Key areas of interest include circular economy frameworks, biodiversity conservation in tropical forests, and the socio-ecological impacts of land-use changes. Professor Dargusch has published over 150 journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports. His recent studies examine macro-scale circularity assessments, blue carbon ecosystems, and the dynamics of treeline migration under climate change. He also advises on corporate carbon management strategies for firms in sectors ranging from aviation to renewable energy. Notable contributions include developing methodologies for evaluating emission reduction measures in heavy industries and analyzing the financial feasibility of nature-based solutions like mangrove restoration. His research often bridges policy implementation challenges in developing economies with global climate frameworks.
Weiwei Lei is a full Professor and Australian Research Council Future Fellow at RMIT University's School of Science (STEM College). His research focuses on nanomaterials for sustainable water and energy solutions, with over 230 publications and $20M in grants. He leads interdisciplinary collaborations globally, mentoring 29 students and 6 postdocs. Research & Impact: Specializes in functional nanomaterials for energy conversion/storage and water purification. His work has garnered 500+ media mentions (BBC, ABC) and industry partnerships (e.g., UK Highways, AquaPure). Key contributions include nanomaterial synthesis routes and energy-water nexus solutions. Awards: ARC Future Fellowship (2022), DECRA (2014), TechConnect Innovation Award (2015). Leadership roles include Research Theme Leader and ERA Engineering Deputy Cluster Leader. Grants: Secured $12.2M as lead CI across ARC grants, IMCRC, and federal funding. Active in industry partnerships for applied research. Mentoring: Supervised 17 primary PhD/Master’s students, many now professors/industry leaders. Postdoc mentorship includes 2 ARC DECRAs. Labs/Teams: Leads initiatives like 'Plasma coating for sustainable future' and 'Advanced nanomaterials for energy harvesting'. Collaborates with global researchers (Asia/Europe/Americas) on 75% of publications.
Professor Chengqing Wu is a distinguished academic in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). He serves as Professor of Structural Engineering with a research focus on blast-induced phenomena and advanced concrete technologies. His expertise spans structural response to blast loading, mitigation of blast effects, and the development of ultra-high performance concrete systems. Professor at University of Technology, Sydney Former Chair of Australian Chapter of International Association of Protective Structures (2013-2017) Associate Editor of ASCE Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities Editorial Board Member of International Journal of Protective Structures Professor Wu's research interests center on structural engineering with emphasis on blast resistance, ultra-high performance concrete, geopolymer concrete, and structural response to extreme loading conditions. His work bridges theoretical analysis with practical applications, particularly in protective structures and extreme environment construction. His research group has made significant contributions to understanding material behavior under blast, impact, and extreme thermal conditions, with applications ranging from terrestrial infrastructure to potential lunar construction. Analysis of Professor Wu's recent publications reveals a strong focus on advanced concrete technologies for extreme environments. His research spans 3D-printed concrete, lunar and Martian construction materials, cryogenic performance of concrete, and blast-resistant structural systems. A notable trend is the increasing application of computational methods and machine learning techniques to predict structural response to explosions, alongside traditional experimental approaches. His work demonstrates a progression from fundamental material characterization to complex structural system analysis, with growing emphasis on sustainable construction and extraterrestrial applications. Author/co-author of over 200 international journal papers Editor of four conference proceedings Editor of two ASCE special issues Editor of two International Journal of Protective Structures special issues Professor Wu has successfully attracted over 4 million dollars in research funding from diverse sources including the Australian Research Council (ARC), Defence Science and Technology Organization (DSTO), and industry partners. His current projects include Eco-friendly Ultra-High Performance Rubberised Concrete, Decarbonised Infrastructure, Structural protective design on large capacity flywheel energy storage system, and Gas Explosion Resistance of Non-Cement Based High Performance Concrete. He actively supervises undergraduate honors students, coursework master's students, and research higher degree candidates, with several scholarships available for prospective postgraduates and research associates. Professor Wu leads research in protective infrastructure technology through the Joint Research Centre for Protective Infrastructure Technology and Environmental Green Bioprocess with Tianjin Chenjian University. His team operates the National Drop Weight Impact Testing Facility and contributes to the National Facility for Physical Blast Simulation. Current research directions include sustainable concrete technologies for extreme environments, blast-resistant structural systems, and innovative applications of concrete in space exploration contexts.
Professor Riadh Al-Mahaidi is a Professor of Structural Engineering and Director of the Smart Structures Laboratory at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. He previously served as Vice President (International Engagement) at Swinburne (2017–2022) and was Head of the Structures Group at Monash University. He holds a BSc (Honours 1st) from the University of Baghdad and MSc/PhD degrees from Cornell University, USA. His research focuses on structural integrity, composite materials for retrofitting, bridge safety, and seismic resilience, with notable contributions to FRP composites and fire performance of strengthened structures. Education: BSc (Civil Engineering) from University of Baghdad, MSc/PhD (Structural Engineering) from Cornell University. Key roles include Director of Smart Structures Lab, leader in multi-axis hybrid testing (MAST System), and advisor to global infrastructure projects. Research interests span FRP composites, structural strengthening, bridge impact mitigation, and seismic engineering. Recent work emphasizes energy-dissipating systems for bridges, shape memory alloys, and cement-based adhesives for fire resistance. His 250+ journal articles and 12 authored books have earned an H-Index of 64 and 12,780+ citations. Publications reflect trends in advanced composites for infrastructure safety, hybrid testing methodologies, and sustainable materials. Awards include the 2023 IIFC Medal, 2021 IABMAS Award, and 2017 WH Warren Medal. Grants include ARC-funded projects on ultra-high-strength composites and durability of FRP systems. Supervised over 30 PhD students on topics like FRP anchorage systems, seismic resilience, and geopolymer concrete. Collaborates globally on projects such as the MAST system and bridge safety innovations. Active in professional societies including ICE, ASCE, and IIFC.
Professor Raylene Cooke is a distinguished academic at Deakin University, serving in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences within the Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment. As Course Director for the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology), she champions experiential learning through field studies, work-integrated opportunities, and global mobility programs. Her leadership extends to faculty working groups focused on enhancing work-integrated learning and student global engagement. Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin University Bachelor of Education, Deakin University Bachelor of Science, Deakin University Professor Cooke's research passion centers on wildlife conservation, particularly focusing on how disturbance processes like urbanization, rodenticides, fire, and invasive species impact ecosystems and wildlife. Her pioneering work with powerful owls has transformed understanding of how apex predators adapt to urban environments. She employs spatial modeling and GPS tracking technologies to study predator movements and habitat use across urban-forest gradients. Her recent research investigates rodenticide prevalence in native wildlife across Australia and the Asia-Pacific, and she contributes to long-term studies on fire and climate change impacts on small mammals in the Grampians National Park. Professor Cooke's publication record reveals a strong focus on apex predator ecology, particularly powerful owls, across urbanizing landscapes. Her work integrates spatial ecology, toxicology, and conservation biology to address pressing environmental challenges. Recent publications highlight increasing concern about rodenticide exposure in native wildlife, urban habitat fragmentation effects on predators, and climate change impacts on small mammal communities. Her research consistently bridges theoretical ecology with practical conservation applications, often involving multi-institutional collaborations and field-based approaches. 2020 Australian Award for University Teaching - National Programs Award for Programs that Enhance Learning 2017 Vice Chancellors Award for Teaching Excellence 2016 Nancy Millis Award for Science in Parks 2015 Vice Chancellors Award for Outstanding Contributions to Global Experiences 2007 Carrick Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (National award) 2005 Vice-Chancellors Award for Distinguished Teaching 2005 Deakin University Award for Teaching Excellence Professor Cooke maintains an active supervision portfolio with multiple current doctoral and masters students investigating topics ranging from rodenticide impacts to climate change refugia. Her extensive grant portfolio demonstrates strong industry and government partnerships, with recent projects funded by Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water Corporation, and various local councils. These grants support field research on powerful owl ecology, post-fire small mammal recovery, and rodenticide exposure across diverse Australian landscapes. Her research team includes honors students and postgraduates working collaboratively on urban processes, raptor ecology, invasive species, and conservation ecology. Professor Cooke leads a dynamic research group focused on wildlife conservation biology, with particular emphasis on apex predators in changing landscapes. Her team collaborates with Parks Victoria, local councils, and environmental organizations to translate research into practical conservation management. The group maintains long-term monitoring programs in the Grampians National Park and across Melbourne's urban fringe, employing cutting-edge technologies including GPS tracking, spatial modeling, and ecotoxicology to address contemporary conservation challenges.
Dr. Emilie Ens is an ARC Future Fellow at Macquarie University's School of Natural Sciences, where she leads the innovative and award-winning Cross-cultural Ecology Lab. She teaches in Environmental Management and has developed a vibrant research group focused on collaborative approaches to environmental science and management. Dr. Ens completed her PhD at the University of Wollongong in 2007, followed by a Post Doc in Weed Ecology at Charles Darwin University. She began collaborating with Indigenous researchers through the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at The Australian National University, developing new cross-cultural approaches to science and environmental management. She joined Macquarie University in 2013. Her research spans multiple areas including invasive species management, fire ecology, wetlands, coastal floodplains, climate change adaptation, genetics, species modeling, and maintenance of cultural knowledge. Her work is characterized by genuine partnerships with Indigenous knowledge holders to develop cross-cultural understandings and management plans that respect both scientific and traditional knowledge systems. Dr. Ens's research portfolio demonstrates a consistent focus on biocultural approaches to conservation, with recent publications addressing biocultural credit assessment frameworks, feral ungulate impacts on carbon cycling, citizen science applications in biodiversity assessment, and collaborative approaches in conservation genetics. Her work often centers on Australian ecosystems, particularly in remote Aboriginal Australia and Arnhem Land. 2017 Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science 2014 Banksia Award for Indigenous Leadership in Sustainability 2017 BHERT Award for Outstanding Collaboration for National (non-economic) Benefit 2015 Banksia Award 2017 CSIRO DNFC Indigenous Engagement Award 2017 Faculty of Science and Engineering Award for Excellence in Research Dr. Ens actively mentors students and collaborates with Indigenous communities and ranger groups. She co-leads the Wuyagiba Bush Uni in the Northern Territory and serves on the Indigenous Working Group of the Ecological Society of Australia, the Indigenous Ally group of the Society of Ecosystem Restoration Australia, and as a Technical Advisory Group member for the Laynhapuy Indigenous Protected Area. She also contributes to academic discourse as an editorial board member for Ecological Management and Restoration and Sustainability journals. Her research is supported by numerous grants, including the ARC Future Fellowship (FT23: "Back to our roots: Re-activating Indigenous biocultural conservation") and collaborative projects like "LP22: Restoring & future-proofing the biocultural values of endangered seagrasses." The Cross-cultural Ecology Lab has made significant impacts in both scientific understanding and practical applications for Indigenous-led conservation efforts.
Sarah Clement is an Adjunct Associate Professor at The University of Western Australia's School of Social Sciences/Geography and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool. She holds a BSc (Hons) from Michigan State University and PhD from Murdoch University's Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences. Her work focuses on environmental governance in the Anthropocene, particularly addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and wildfire management through governance reforms. She leads the ARC-funded 'Fire and Transformation' project examining bushfire governance in Australia and contributed to the Urban GreenUP EU Horizon2020 project testing nature-based solutions (NBS). Education: BSc (Hons) Environmental Studies, Michigan State University PhD Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University Research Interests: Environmental governance systems, climate change adaptation, NBS implementation, wildfire policy, social-ecological resilience, and biodiversity planning. Her book Governing the Anthropocene explores governance frameworks for novel ecosystems. Current projects include DECRA-funded bushfire governance analysis and Liverpool's Urban GreenUP NBS demonstration. Grants & Projects: ARC DECRA Fellowship (2021-2024) ARC Fire & Transformation Project (2021-) EU Horizon2020 Urban GreenUP (2018-2023) Labs/Teams: Involved with UWA's School of Social Sciences research groups and the interdisciplinary Landscapes and Policy Research Hub (NSW Government-funded NERP/NESP program). Active contributor to global environmental policy initiatives aligned with UN SDGs 11,13,14,15.
Dr. Alex Callen is a Lecturer in Vegetation and Restoration Ecology at the University of Newcastle within the School of Environmental and Life Sciences. With extensive field experience and academic training, she focuses on the recovery of threatened species through ecological restoration to mitigate multiple environmental stresses, particularly examining how fine-scale habitat manipulations can improve survival of vulnerable amphibian communities in both natural and industrial environments. Dr. Callen earned her Doctor of Philosophy, Bachelor of Environmental Science, and Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours), all from the University of Newcastle. Before returning to academia in 2013, she worked for sixteen years as an environmental scientist and ecologist across government and industry positions, bringing practical experience to her research and teaching. Her research spans conservation biology, restoration ecology, threatened species management, and amphibian conservation. She has pioneered approaches integrating community science and science-art communication to enhance biodiversity protection and public engagement. In 2020, she co-curated Biomes, an annual community outreach art-science exhibition, and co-founded Stream - Community for Knowledge Exchange, which increases science accessibility through experiential exhibitions and workshops. Dr. Callen's publication record demonstrates expertise in amphibian conservation, with recent work addressing hydroperiod effects on tadpole development, fire impacts on biodiversity, amphibian habitat design, and innovative monitoring techniques like tadpole fingerprinting. Her research consistently bridges theoretical understanding with practical conservation applications. Numerous research grants totaling over $8 million Collaborations with government agencies, industry partners, and community organizations Extensive field methodology expertise including bioacoustics, habitat analysis, and disease monitoring As an active supervisor of PhD students, Dr. Callen mentors the next generation of conservation scientists working on amphibian conservation, aquatic weed control, and environmental policy. Her work exemplifies the integration of rigorous scientific research with practical conservation outcomes and community engagement.
Professor Yu Bai is a Professor in Structural Engineering at Monash University's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, part of the Faculty of Engineering. He holds a B.E. and M.E. from Tsinghua University and a Ph.D. from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). His research focuses on composite materials, modular construction, robotics in construction, and structural resilience under extreme conditions. He directs the Smart Structures and Construction research theme and leads the Laboratory of Robotic Construction. Key research pillars include: Composite materials for lightweight structures Modular design and manufacturing Construction automation and robotics Prof. Bai has secured major grants including an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award and leads projects in sustainable construction, fire dynamics of composites, and robotic fabrication. He collaborates internationally and has over 290 peer-reviewed publications. Teaching responsibilities include courses on structural design and bridge engineering. His labs integrate cutting-edge facilities for structural testing and robotic systems. Awards include recognition for advancing prefabricated housing and low-carbon construction technologies. Current initiatives include the ARC Training Centre for Advanced Manufacturing of Prefabricated Housing and Building 4.0 CRC for smart construction innovations.
Dr. Gunjan Pandey serves as a Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO Environment in Canberra, Australia, within the Industry Environment Program. She concurrently holds an Adjunct Fellow position at Macquarie University since 2019 and serves on editorial boards for PLOS One and Insects journals. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Biotechnology from Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India (2005) MSc in Biochemistry from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India (1999) BSc in Zoology, Botany and Chemistry from Kumaun University, Nainital, India (1996) Her research integrates three core domains: applied genomics leveraging bioinformatics for accelerated discovery; insect-based engineering for circular economy waste conversion; and novel gene-enzyme systems for biotechnological innovation. This work spans environmental, health, food security, and biosecurity applications through genomic and synthetic biology approaches. Analysis of her 15+ publications reveals a dominant focus on chromosomal genome assembly of ecologically and agriculturally significant organisms using long-read sequencing technologies. Key thematic clusters include pest management (cotton bollworm, fire ants), circular economy applications (black soldier fly), crop improvement (cowpea, ryegrass), and ecosystem conservation (coral reef starfish). Her scientific recognition includes: Julius Career Award (CSIRO, 2014-2016) Senior Research Fellowship (DBT/CSIR India, 2002-2004) Junior Research Fellowship (DBT/CSIR India, 1999-2001) Dr. Pandey directs multiple grant-funded initiatives including bio-inspired plastic digestion (2023-2026), insect-based waste detoxification systems (2023-2026), and organofluorine bioremediation research (2021-2024), while serving on CSIRO's Institutional Biosafety Committee since 2011. Her editorial roles in PLOS One and Insects demonstrate active scholarly engagement. As lead researcher in CSIRO's Industry Environment Program, she develops genomic solutions for sustainable resource management, with particular emphasis on insect-mediated circular economy systems and translational biotechnology applications.
