Professor Patrick Moss is a leading academic in Physical Geography and Head of School at QUT's School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences. His research focuses on understanding landscape responses to climate change and human impacts, with expertise in palaeoecology, Quaternary Science, and environmental management. He holds a PhD from Monash University and supervises PhD and undergraduate students in these disciplines. Key research interests include wetland resilience, fire ecology, and the application of palynology to environmental history. His work integrates archaeological perspectives to address contemporary conservation challenges, such as ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation strategies. Publications span over three decades, emphasizing global fire regimes, human-environment interactions, and Quaternary environmental reconstruction. Collaborations include international projects on peatlands, monsoon variability, and volcanic ash stratigraphy.
Dr. Zoe Thomas is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow and Adjunct Fellow at the University of New South Wales, Australia, situated within the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences. She serves as Associate Director of the Chronos 14Carbon-Cycle Facility at UNSW, which houses the first Mini Carbon Dating System (MICADAS) Accelerator Mass Spectrometer in the Southern Hemisphere. Dr. Thomas earned her PhD from the University of Exeter (2010-2014) and her BA (Hons.) from the University of Oxford (2007-2010). Her research spans palaeoclimate studies, contemporary and future climate analysis, with particular focus on Earth System tipping points and positive feedback mechanisms. Her scholarly output demonstrates consistent expertise in paleoclimate reconstruction, particularly regarding atmospheric circulation changes, Southern Hemisphere westerly winds, and fire history analysis. The publications reveal a strong methodological approach integrating fieldwork in southern mid- to high-latitudes with laboratory-based techniques including radiocarbon dating, infrared spectroscopy, and geochemical analysis. A significant portion of her work examines Holocene climate dynamics with implications for understanding contemporary climate change. Scientific Recognition: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA): $426,715 for project 'Investigating the synchroneity of global atmospheric shifts in the Holocene' Dr. Thomas leads significant research initiatives focused on understanding Earth System operations during periods of past change. Her work with the Chronos 14Carbon-Cycle Facility represents a major contribution to radiocarbon dating capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere. She teaches Environmental Change (GEOS3761) at UNSW, connecting her research expertise with academic instruction. Her laboratory work at the Chronos 14Carbon-Cycle Facility has established UNSW as a key center for radiocarbon analysis in the Southern Hemisphere, providing critical dating capabilities for regional paleoclimate and archaeological research.
Nik Callow is an Associate Professor at the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment and co-Director of the UWA Centre for Water and Spatial Science. His expertise spans hydrology, geomorphology, remote sensing, and GIS. He leads major projects like the Australian Plant Phenomics Network (APPN) and WaterSmart Dams, focusing on water-dependent ecosystems and spatial science innovations. Callow oversees UWA’s drone operations and supports ~60 drone pilots. He teaches courses in geographical sciences and environmental monitoring, and his research integrates drone technology with climate change studies. Education: PhD in Geography (UWA, 2007), GCHEd (UQ, 2011) Affiliations: Member of the Western Australian EPA Expert Scientific Advisory Council, Resilient Landscapes Hub (NESP), and multiple industry collaborations. Research interests include ecohydrology, marginal snowpacks, and palaeoclimate studies. Projects address water management, biodiversity, and climate resilience in Australia and globally. His work has received the EGU Jim Dooge Award (2020) for contributions to wetland salinity research. Active grants include partnerships with Snowy Hydro, Rio Tinto, and the Grains Research and Development Corporation. Teaching focuses on field science, GIS, and climate processes.
Professor Kathryn Amos holds the Chair in GeoEnergy at the University of Adelaide, leading multidisciplinary research and education initiatives focused on subsurface energy resources in the context of net-zero emissions. Her academic affiliation is with the School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences within the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. Previously, she served as Head of the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources (2020-2022) and Associate Dean (Future Students and Student Experience) (2018-2019). Her research centers on clastic sedimentology, examining sediment transport and deposition across modern environments and the rock record, with applications in ancient depositional systems and engagement with industry and government stakeholders. Current projects, in collaboration with Dr. Rachelle Kernen, investigate salt-sediment interactions in South Australian basins, particularly the Flinders Ranges, which serve as critical analogues for subsurface energy applications and Snowball Earth glaciation studies. Recent publications highlight her expertise in geological storage of CO2 and hydrogen, salt basin dynamics, and Neoproterozoic stratigraphy. She has secured over $13 million AUD in grants for geological storage research. Professor Amos is eligible to supervise Masters and PhD students in sedimentology and geoenergy-related fields.
Kat Fitzsimmons is an Associate Professor in the School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment at Monash University, within the Faculty of Science. She previously held roles including Professor for Terrestrial Sedimentology at the University of Tübingen (2021–2024) and led a Max Planck Research Group in Mainz, Germany. Her research focuses on dryland environmental change across Quaternary to modern times, using luminescence dating, geomorphology, and interdisciplinary approaches. Education: Habilitation (Dr. rer. nat. habil.) in Physical Geography, University of Leipzig (2016) PhD in Quaternary Geology, Australian National University (2007) BSc (Hons) in Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne (2002) Diploma in Germanistik, University of Melbourne (2001) Research interests include arid/semi-arid landscape responses to climate change, human-environment interactions, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Key geographic foci are Australia and Central Asia. Current projects include the Hydroclimate in the Wimmera catchment study (2025–2026). Notable awards include the Albert Maucher Prize (2014), Hans Bobek Prize (2016), and Max Planck Research Group leadership (2017). Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and sustainable development. Advising: Accepting PhD students. Active in collaborative projects with institutions globally, leveraging atmospheric science, archaeology, and geochemistry expertise. Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary research teams focusing on terrestrial sedimentology and climate history, integrating fieldwork, geochronology, and GIS techniques.
Professor Jody Webster is a leading marine geoscientist and Co-Coordinator of the Geocoastal Research Group at the University of Sydney's School of Geosciences. His multidisciplinary research integrates sedimentology, stratigraphy, marine geology, geophysics, paleoecology, and numerical modeling to study coral reef systems and carbonate platforms as critical archives of climate and sea-level change. Research Interests: Jody focuses on Carbonate sedimentology Climate change impacts on reef systems Tectonic influences on sedimentary evolution International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) core analysis Great Barrier Reef and Hawaii as model systems Sea-level and environmental change during glacial-interglacial transitions . Publications: His recent work examines reef responses to meltwater pulses (MWP-1A/B), Holocene nutrient dynamics in the Great Barrier Reef, and carbonate platform drowning mechanisms. He contributes to databases like RADReef (global reef accretion rates) and numerical tools for reef growth modeling. Awards: Recognized with the 2021 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research Multiple ARC Discovery grants International research ship time awards . Teaching: Coordinates courses in marine geoscience (GEOS2115, GEOS3009, MARS5007) and mentors students in reef sedimentology, stratigraphy, and climate modeling. Collaborations: Partnerships with institutions like Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) Universities of Tokyo, Granada, and Wisconsin-Madison International societies (ISRS, AGU, IAS) .
Professor Katrin Meissner serves as Director of the Climate Change Research Centre at the University of New South Wales and is an Associate Investigator of the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes. Her research employs Earth System Climate Models and paleoclimate records to investigate abrupt climate change events, thresholds, and feedback mechanisms in the climate system, with particular emphasis on terrestrial biogeochemical cycles and ocean circulation dynamics. Research interests focus on: Dynamics of abrupt climate transitions and tipping points Interactions between ocean circulation and carbon cycling Paleoclimate reconstruction using model-data synthesis Impacts of Southern Ocean processes on global climate Biogeochemical feedbacks in warming and cooling scenarios Publications demonstrate consistent focus on paleoclimate modeling, particularly Last Interglacial and glacial termination dynamics, Southern Ocean processes, ice-sheet interactions, and carbon cycle feedbacks. Recent work expands into climate health impacts, including extreme heat mortality and air pollution effects on birth outcomes. Scientific awards include: Multiple ARC Discovery Grants (2013-2025) UNSW Science Goldstar & Silverstar Awards ARC Future Fellowship (Level II) NSERC Accelerator and Discovery Grants CFCAS Targeted Project Grant Leads the Climate Change Research Centre, coordinating interdisciplinary climate research. Manages significant grant portfolios and collaborates internationally on model intercomparison projects (e.g., CMIP6-PMIP4). Current work investigates Eocene climate dynamics, ocean deoxygenation, and climate-health interactions using high-resolution modeling approaches.
Professor Ben Panizza is a world-leading academic and clinical expert in head and neck oncology , serving as Chairman of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery for Metro South and Director of the Queensland Head and Neck Cancer Centre. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Queensland and has pioneered innovative approaches for skull base malignancies and perineural spread of keratinocyte cancers. Specializes in temporal bone oncology and cutaneous SCC Active in clinical trials from proof-of-concept to phase III Collaborates with industry leaders (Merck, Sanofi, QBiotics, Decibel Therapeutics) His research spans proteomics , HPV-associated cancers , perineural invasion mechanisms , and skull base surgical techniques . Recent work focuses on AI-generated medical information quality , personalized treatment models , and novel drug delivery systems . He has supervised 28 higher degree research students and established a clinical trials unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Key article trends include HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer (proteomic signatures, immunotherapy combinations), temporal bone SCC management , and ototoxicity prevention during chemotherapy. His work frequently addresses anatomical complexity and translational research between clinical practice and basic science.
Christa Placzek is an academic affiliated with James Cook University, specializing in geology and paleoclimatology. Her research focuses on cosmogenic isotopes, erosion dynamics, and paleoenvironmental reconstructions in extreme environments like the Atacama Desert and Antarctic regions. She has contributed to studies on the K/Pg boundary in Antarctica, sediment dating of the Homo naledi fossils in South Africa, and volcanic chronology in Queensland. Her work integrates geochemical, sedimentological, and isotopic techniques to address questions in geomorphology and climate history. Placzek has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects involving archaeology, paleoanthropology, and environmental science. Notable contributions include analyses of the Barrow Island archaeological record and the Cradle of Humankind's landscape evolution. Her publications span over two decades, reflecting a sustained focus on understanding Earth's surface processes and their temporal variability. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though her extensive research output indicates recognition in the field. Her work frequently intersects with global initiatives like the FUTORES conference, emphasizing applied geoscience for resource management and environmental sustainability.
Kane Ditchfield is a Research Fellow in Archaeology within the School of Social Sciences at The University of Western Australia. His research primarily focuses on Australian archaeology, with particular expertise in Western Australia's archaeological record spanning the Pleistocene and Holocene periods. His research interests encompass stone artefact analysis, archaeological site formation processes, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and the investigation of rock art. Dr. Ditchfield's work contributes significantly to understanding the long-term human occupation of Australia, particularly in the Pilbara region and Murujuga (Burrup Peninsula). His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on methodological approaches to understanding how soil processes affect archaeological materials, particularly stone artefacts in clay-rich environments. His work on the Juukan 2 rockshelter has provided critical insights into 47,000 years of continuous human occupation in Western Australia. Dr. Ditchfield has secured research funding from organizations including Rio Tinto and the Australian Synchrotron, with projects focusing on archaeological landscape dynamics and identifying plant resin for hafting early Australian stone tools. His research has garnered significant attention, with mentions in numerous news outlets and social media platforms.
Associate Professor Kevin Laws is a materials scientist specializing in bulk metallic glasses and amorphous alloys at the School of Materials Science & Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW). His research focuses on the design, discovery, and development of magnesium- and aluminum-based metallic glasses for structural and functional applications, with expertise in die-casting, strip casting, and post-production processing of bulk metallic glasses. Professor Laws has held significant positions including Project Manager at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Design in Light Metals since 2009 and Postdoctoral Fellowship at UNSW since 2008. His research contributions are extensive, with over 30 refereed journal publications and approximately $100k in research funding since 2008. His work extends to international collaborations, having served as a Visiting Scientist at both the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zürich and the United States Air Force Research Laboratories. His primary research interests include bulk metallic glasses, amorphous alloys, magnesium and aluminum alloy development, composite materials, and advanced processing techniques. Professor Laws has made significant contributions to understanding the thermal and mechanical properties of metallic glasses, with applications spanning from structural components to functional devices. His recent work shows progression into high-entropy alloys, tungsten boride structures, and advanced characterization techniques while maintaining his core focus on metallic glasses. Professor Laws' publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory of research excellence, with consistent output of high-impact papers in leading materials science journals. His work shows increasing sophistication in both experimental techniques and computational modeling approaches, reflecting the evolving nature of materials science research. ARC Centre of Excellence Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2007-) Invited Research Position at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (2010) Invited Research Position at US Air Force Research Laboratory (2011) Member of Institute of Engineers, Australia (2003-) Member of Society of Automotive Engineers-International (2001-) Professor Laws has co-supervised 10 honors and 6 PhD students in the past 4 years, demonstrating his commitment to education and mentorship. He serves as course coordinator for Welding and Joining Processes and contributes as a guest lecturer for polymer engineering and demonstrator for foundry casting, rolling, and mechanical testing. His teaching responsibilities complement his research activities, creating a synergistic relationship between education and discovery. His research is conducted within the School of Materials Science & Engineering at UNSW, where he collaborates with colleagues on projects related to advanced materials development and characterization. The school provides state-of-the-art facilities for materials processing and characterization, enabling Professor Laws to pursue his research on metallic glasses and related materials.
Professor Andy Baker is a leading academic at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences , UNSW Sydney. With a career spanning over three decades, he has also held prestigious positions at the University of Birmingham, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and University of Exeter. PhD in Speleothem Growth Rate and Paleoclimate, Bristol University (1990-1993) BSc (Hons) in Geographical Science, Bristol University (1987-1990) His research focuses on the intersection between geology and water , utilizing stalagmites to reconstruct past climates, groundwater recharge patterns, and fire history. He specializes in isotopic and geochemical techniques for analyzing organic matter in natural and human environments, from groundwater systems to drinking water quality. Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary applications of stalagmite analysis in climate science, fire history reconstruction through geochemical signatures , and groundwater recharge modeling using cave drip water networks. His work spans from Mediterranean karst systems to sub-Antarctic lakes , with a focus on global environmental change and hydrological sustainability . Awardees include: Clarke Medal for Geology (2023) Fellow of Royal Society of NSW (2024) Over $75 million in successfully managed research grants He currently supervises PhD students in projects related to climate modeling , groundwater sustainability , and karst hydrology . His outreach includes regular media engagement with ABC, The Conversation, and international cave science training programs.
Tim Cohen is an Associate Professor in the School of Science at the University of Wollongong. He serves as Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH) and Deputy Director of Environmental Futures. His expertise spans geomorphology, Quaternary science, and climate extremes, focusing on integrating past and present environmental data to inform landscape management. Cohen holds a PhD from the University of Wollongong (2003) and a BSc (Hons) from Macquarie University (1996). He has led ARC-funded projects, including a Future Fellowship (2018–2022), and contributed to over 100 research outputs with an h-index of 28. His work addresses Australia's hydrological history, arid zone dynamics, and human-environment interactions. Education: PhD in Geosciences, University of Wollongong (2003) BSc (Hons) in Earth Sciences, Macquarie University (1996) Research Interests: Geomorphology, Quaternary Science, Climate Extremes, Environmental Management, Hydrology, and Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction. Recent articles highlight his work on Australian arid zone hydrology, climate-vegetation interactions, and lacustrine paleoenvironments. Cohen’s grants include tracking flooding patterns and aridification in Australian deserts (ARC Discovery, 2025–2029) and environmental resilience studies. He supervises PhD/MPhil students on topics like megadune evolution and paleofire records. Leadership roles include President of the Australian and New Zealand Geomorphology Group and roles in CABAH and the Optical Dating Facility. Awards include the ARC Future Fellowship (2018–2022). His research emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches, with global media coverage of findings on climate impacts and human adaptation in arid regions.
Professor Jonathan Nott is an Adjunct Professor in the College of Science and Engineering at James Cook University, where he has been since its founding in 1995. His research focuses on reconstructing environmental changes and extreme events such as tropical cyclones, tsunamis, and river floods. He pioneered methods for determining paleo-cyclone intensities using isotopic analysis in stalagmites and hydrodynamic equations for coastal boulder movement. Notable contributions include the first long-term tropical cyclone records in Australia and authoring the seminal book Extreme Events: Physical Reconstruction and Risk Assessment (2006). His work integrates geomorphological field surveys with climate science to assess natural hazard risks across northern Australia, the Pacific, and Asia. Nott has conducted post-event analyses of major cyclones and tsunamis over the past 20 years, contributing to over 90 peer-reviewed articles. His research emphasizes long-term natural variability in tropical cyclone activity and its implications for future climate scenarios. Education: PhD from the University of Wollongong (1991), prior research appointments at Australian National University and Charles Darwin University. Research Interests: Long-term records of natural hazards, paleotempestology, coastal geomorphology, and disaster risk assessment. His studies combine sedimentary deposits with historical climatic and environmental data to understand extreme event patterns. He has developed innovative techniques for reconstructing cyclone intensities and storm surges, advancing methodologies in paleohazards research. Grants & Advising: While specific grants are not detailed, his extensive publication record and field surveys indicate sustained research funding. No formal advisee list is provided in the text. Labs/Teams: Associated with James Cook University’s Centre for Disaster Solutions, contributing to applied research in disaster mitigation and risk management.
Associate Professor Scott David Mooney is a faculty member at the University of New South Wales specializing in fire history, climate change, and human-environmental relationships. His research focuses on reconstructing fire regimes in southeastern Australia's humid environments, examining both pre-colonial and post-European fire patterns through palaeoenvironmental reconstruction using charcoal analysis from well-dated sediments. Dr. Mooney's primary research investigates the complex nexus between climate and human activity in shaping fire regimes, challenging simplistic narratives about pre-colonial fire patterns in Australia. He examines how Indigenous people used fire across different environmental settings (ridge tops vs. valleys, coastal vs. inland), how fire frequency varied through time during climatic transitions, and whether recent fire regimes represent significant departures from historical patterns. His work bridges palaeoenvironmental reconstruction with contemporary environmental management challenges. With an extensive publication record including 72 journal articles and 5 book chapters, Dr. Mooney has made significant contributions to understanding Quaternary environments and fire history. His research applies pollen analysis (palynology) to reconstruct past climate variability, particularly associated with Pacific Ocean climate modes, and examines anthropogenic alterations to land-cover and post-colonial human impact on ecosystems. Dr. Mooney is an active member of several professional organizations including the Institute of Australian Geographers, the Linnean Society of New South Wales, and AQUA (Australasian Quaternary Association), demonstrating his commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration in environmental science and Quaternary research.
