Associate Professor Mohammad Saadatfar is affiliated with the School of Civil Engineering at The University of Sydney. His research focuses on meso-scale materials, combining experiments with simulations to address challenges in environmental science, biomedical engineering, and advanced materials design. Key areas include the study of cellular solids, granular materials, and meta-materials. His work integrates physics, engineering, and biology, with applications to CO₂ geo-sequestration, bone implants, and mechanical meta-materials. He uses X-ray tomography, FE simulations, and topological analysis to explore material behavior. Recent publications span topics like additive manufactured foams, CO₂ flow dynamics in sandstone, and biomimetic wood structures. His contributions highlight interdisciplinary approaches to material science and engineering challenges. No scientific awards or student advisement details are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Dr. Thanh-Son Pham is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow in the Geophysics Department at The Australian National University’s Research School of Earth Sciences. His research focuses on using seismic waves to study Earth’s interior structures, from polar ice sheets to the inner core. He has pioneered methods like teleseismic P-wave coda autocorrelation and coda correlation wavefield analysis, leading to breakthroughs such as detecting J-waves in the inner core and identifying an innermost inner core layer. His work has been featured in Science , Nature Communications , and international media. He holds a PhD from ANU (2019) and has supervised research projects on Antarctic seismology and earthquake source physics. Awards include the 2024 Zatman lectureship from SEDI. Current projects include probing Antarctic ice sheets via correlation seismology and advancing machine learning tools for deep Earth studies. Education: PhD in Geophysics (ANU, 2019), Graduate Diploma in Earth System Physics (ICTP, 2015), BSc in Applied Mathematics (Hanoi University, 2013) Research interests span seismic source inversion, Antarctic ice dynamics, and inner core anisotropy. His 2024 articles address Hunga Tonga eruption mechanics and PKIKP wave analysis using deep learning. Media highlights include BBC, NYT, and ANU press releases.
Dr. Olga Zinovieva is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and Program Coordinator at UNSW Canberra's School of Engineering and Technology. Her research focuses on computational modeling in metal additive manufacturing, particularly on processing-microstructure-property relationships. She has held research positions at the University of Bremen, Russian Academy of Sciences, and Tomsk Polytechnic University, and visiting roles in Australia, Germany, Brazil, and France. Research Interests: Modeling for additive manufacturing Multiscale methods Computational materials science Computational mechanics Microstructure evolution in 3D printing Mechanical behavior under dynamic loading Recent research trends from her publications emphasize predictive modeling of mechanical properties in additively manufactured metals, microstructure simulation, and digital solutions for advanced manufacturing. Her work integrates ICME approaches and high-performance computing to optimize alloy performance and process parameters. Scientific Awards and Grants: ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (2025–2028) NSW DIN Pilot Project (2024–2025) CSIRO ON Prime Performance Bonus (2024) UNSW Start-up Grant (2022–2024) DFG-RFBR Project (2017–2022) Multiple travel and research grants from RFBR, University of Bremen, and Tomsk State University Supervision and Grants: Dr. Zinovieva actively supervises PhD and undergraduate research students in projects related to additive manufacturing modeling. She has secured over 20 grants as a Chief Investigator, including leadership in international collaborations between Germany and Russia. She mentors students through UNSW’s HDR programs and industry-linked research initiatives. Labs and Teams: She leads computational research in metal additive manufacturing at UNSW Canberra, utilizing high-performance computing resources. She collaborates with international teams at the University of Bremen and participates in editorial and advisory roles for journals such as Metals and Journal of Materials Informatics .
Professor Christopher Berndt is a Distinguished Professor in Surface Science and Engineering at the School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, where he joined in 2008 as the founding professor of this discipline. He previously held founding professorships at James Cook University and was a tenured professor at Stony Brook University, USA, where he remains an Adjunct Professor. He also served as a Fellow at NASA-Lewis Research Center, working on thermal barrier coatings. His leadership in professional societies includes serving as President of the Thermal Spray Society (ASM) and being inducted into the Thermal Spray Hall of Fame in 2007. His research interests center on materials engineering , particularly surface science , thermal spray technologies , high-entropy alloys , and coatings for extreme environments . He also contributes significantly to biomedical engineering through bioactive coatings and clean energy via advanced materials for batteries and hydrogen technologies. His work bridges fundamental materials science with industrial applications in aerospace, energy, and manufacturing. The recent publications reveal a strong focus on advanced thermal spray techniques such as HVOF and HVAF, development of high-entropy and medium-entropy alloys, and innovative coating applications in energy storage, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature protection. His research consistently emphasizes microstructural control, phase stability, and mechanical performance under extreme conditions. Inducted into the Thermal Spray Hall of Fame (2007) Fellow of the Australian Institution of Engineers Fellow of ASM International Fellow of The Institution of Metallurgists (UK) Fellow of ASME, ACS, and ACerS Chartered Engineer (UK) Professional Engineer (Australia) Member of the College of Bioengineers (Australia) Professor Berndt actively supervises numerous PhD students, with current projects on high-entropy alloys, internal pipe coatings, and biomedical surface engineering. He has secured extensive research funding from organizations including the Australian Research Council (ARC), Department of Defence, Office of Naval Research (US), and industry partners such as Entromat and Amaero Engineering. He leads major initiatives such as the ARC Training Centre in Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM) and has contributed to commercialization projects in space vehicle manufacturing. He is the Founding Editor and now Editor Emeritus of the Journal of Thermal Spray Technology and has edited over 10 conference proceedings. His research network spans across Australia, the USA, and Thailand, reflecting a strong international collaborative footprint in advanced materials research.
Dr. Andrey Molotnikov is an Associate Professor in Additive Manufacturing and Director of the RMIT Centre for Additive Manufacturing at RMIT University's School of Engineering. His expertise spans additive manufacturing, computational materials science, and multi-material 3D printing. He leads a research team of 8 academics, multiple postdocs, and 10 PhD students, focusing on innovations like multi-material printing, high entropy alloys, and in-process quality assurance. Key research themes include architectured materials, computational modeling of solidification processes, and fatigue analysis of additively manufactured components. His work has resulted in over 80 publications (h-index 29) and several patents, with industry collaborations driving technology adoption. Recent publications (2022–2025) emphasize advancements in laser-based processes, defect detection via machine learning, and biomedical applications of additive manufacturing. He actively supervises research projects on topics such as hierarchical lattice structures and hybrid materials, supported by ARC grants and industry partnerships. Dr. Molotnikov’s labs and teams prioritize cross-disciplinary collaboration, aiming to bridge computational modeling with practical manufacturing solutions. His research addresses challenges in material compatibility, process optimization, and structural integrity of AM components.
Qiyang Tan is a Research Fellow at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering , The University of Queensland , with affiliations to the Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM) . His research focuses on additive manufacturing of metals and MAX phases , high-temperature oxidation , alloy development , grain refinement , and machine learning applications in materials science . Education: PhD (The University of Queensland, 2018), Bachelor of Materials Science and Engineering (South China University of Technology, 2014) Dr. Tan’s research expertise includes proposing the Oxide Reinforcement Model to understand metal oxidation resistance and applying the E2EM crystallographic model to identify new grain refiners for additively manufactured materials. His work spans Al, Ti, Cu alloys , steels , and γ-TiAl intermetallic alloys , aiming to improve processability in additive manufacturing for advanced ceramics and metallic-ceramic composites. His 15 most recent publications highlight trends in additive manufacturing , grain refinement , hydrogen embrittlement , and machine learning in alloy design , with applications in high-strength alloys , ceramics , and extreme environment materials . Dr. Tan is available for supervision and has secured funding from organizations such as the Australian Research Council (ARC) , Baosteel-Australia Joint Research and Development , and HBIS Group Co, Ltd .
Aleksandr Zinoviev is a Senior Research Associate at the School of Engineering and Information Technology (SEIT) at UNSW Canberra, where he has been working since 2022. His research spans multiple institutions across the globe, including previous positions at Siemens Digital Industries Software in Belgium, University of Bremen and AMSIS GmbH in Germany, and Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Tomsk Polytechnic University in Russia. He has also conducted research stays at the University of Bremen (Germany) and São Paulo State University (Brazil). Dr. Zinoviev's research interests are highly interdisciplinary, focusing on metal additive manufacturing, thermodynamics of materials, computational materials science, solid mechanics, software engineering, and machine learning. He specializes in developing and applying novel knowledge-based approaches to address engineering challenges, particularly in improving materials and parts produced by advanced manufacturing, optimizing production processes, and enhancing data processing. His work bridges the gap between fundamental materials science and practical engineering applications, with a strong emphasis on computational modeling and simulation. Analysis of his recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a consistent focus on additive manufacturing process modeling, microstructure-property relationships in additively manufactured metals, and computational approaches to materials science. His research particularly emphasizes cellular automata modeling, multiscale simulation techniques, and the application of machine learning to materials processing. The publications demonstrate expertise in both experimental characterization and advanced computational methods for predicting mechanical behavior of additively manufactured components. Dr. Zinoviev actively mentors prospective PhD and Research Master's candidates, offering guidance on topics related to thermal modeling of additive manufacturing and process optimization. He has indicated that scholarships of up to $35,000 (AUD) are available for qualified candidates who achieved High Distinction in their undergraduate program and/or have completed a Masters by Research.
Dr. Ming Li is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering , The University of Queensland . He focuses on materials science, particularly in energy storage systems. Education : PhD in Chemical Engineering (2017), The University of Queensland. Research Interests : Energy storage materials, electrochemistry, electron microscopy, crystallography, operando characterization, battery degradation mechanisms. Affiliations : Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM), Future Autonomous Systems and Technologies, Multiscale Energy Systems. Ming Li’s recent research explores rechargeable battery materials , with significant work on sodium-ion and zinc-ion batteries . His studies emphasize metal nucleation , electrolyte design , and operando electron microscopy to visualize degradation during fast charging. His publications highlight crystallography and advanced characterization techniques , addressing challenges in solid-state batteries and electrochemical stability . Collaborations span institutions, including researchers like Emily Cooper , Shiwei Tao , and Ruth Knibbe . The Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM) group at UQ hosts his research. He has contributed to understanding superconducting materials and metallurgical processes in low-carbon steels and iron-silicon alloys.
Dr. Yan Ma is a Research Fellow at the University of Wollongong's School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering. She holds a PhD from the same institution (2015) and prior degrees from Northeastern University and Kunming University of Science and Technology. Her expertise spans material science and mechanical engineering, with focuses on advanced materials like steels, titanium alloys, intermetallics, and additive manufacturing techniques. Dr. Ma has led or contributed to significant projects including Baosteel-Australia Joint Research & Development Centre (BAJC) initiatives, Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) projects, and industry consulting. Her research emphasizes welding metallurgy, material characterization, and multi-partner collaborations with organizations like ANSTO. She currently supervises PhD research on solidification behavior in high-nitrogen/molybdenum alloys. Key research interests include additive manufacturing processes, microstructural analysis of alloys, and improving material performance through in-situ alloying. Her funded work addresses challenges in pipeline integrity, defect mitigation, and next-generation materials for aerospace and industrial applications. She actively engages in teaching programs like ENGG542 and organizes events such as Materials Discovery Day. Dr. Ma’s publications (over 25 articles) explore topics like neutron diffraction for stress analysis, corrosion behavior of additively manufactured materials, and radiation effects on titanium aluminides. She is fluent in English and Mandarin, with peer-review capabilities in both languages.
Professor YuanTong Gu is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Career Advancement) and Head of the School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). He holds an ARC Future Fellowship and leads the Laboratory for Advanced Modelling and Simulation in Engineering and Science. His research focuses on computational mechanics, biomechanics, and nanotechnology, with over $40M in secured research funding since 2000. He has supervised over 15 PhD students and collaborates with global institutions including Tsinghua University and the University of California. His awards include the International Computational Methods Award (2017) and ICACM Computational Mechanics Award (2017). Prof. Gu's work spans interdisciplinary projects in joint biomechanics, advanced materials, and AI-driven engineering solutions. Education: PhD (National University of Singapore), Graduate Certificate in Education (QUT). Research Groups: Leads a team of 3 academics, 2 ARC Future Fellows, and 15+ PhD students. Key projects include diamond nanothread composites, AI in biomedical devices, and fracture detection frameworks. His group collaborates with industry leaders and global universities to advance computational methods and materials science. Editorial Roles: Associate Editor of Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements and Applied Mathematical Modelling , among others. Conference leadership includes chair roles in international computational mechanics conferences since 2012.
Dr. Xuliang Li is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, within the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology. His work focuses on advanced materials processing, particularly in precision machining of brittle solids and nanoscale surface engineering. Research Themes: Brittle material machining, graphene oxide applications, machine learning integration in manufacturing, and multiscale modeling of deformation mechanisms Recent Publications: 14 studies (2019-2024) covering nanoscratch mechanics, laser 3D-printed ceramics, and innovative polishing techniques Funding: Currently developing ductile grinding techniques for dental prostheses applications (2025-2026) Expertise: Available for supervision in advanced manufacturing and materials science domains Key areas include computational modeling of grinding processes, hybrid nanoparticle suspensions, and ductile-to-brittle transition analysis. His collaborations span multiple disciplines in mechanical engineering and materials science.
Professor Hrvoje Tkalčić is a renowned geophysicist at The Australian National University's Research School of Earth Sciences, specializing in global seismology and deep Earth structure. As Head of Geophysics and Director of the Warramunga Seismic & Infrasound Facility, he leads research into Earth's core-mantle dynamics, planetary seismology, and seismic source physics. His work integrates advanced observational techniques and computational models to explore Earth's interior and other planetary bodies. Affiliations: ANU since 2007; Elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (2024); Member of the IUGG/IASPEI Executive Committee (2023–2027). Education: PhD in Geophysics from UC Berkeley (2001); Diploma in Physics from University of Zagreb (1996). Research Interests: Focus on the Earth's inner core anisotropy, planetary core imaging, and lithospheric structure using seismic and correlation wavefields. Recent breakthroughs include discoveries of distinct anisotropy in the innermost inner core and Mars' core structure using InSight mission data. Grants & Awards: Recipient of the 2023 CAS Distinguished Scientist Fellowship, Royal Astronomical Society Price Medal (2022), and multiple ARC grants. His team's work has advanced seismic inversion techniques and global core-mantle boundary imaging. Labs/Teams: Leads the Warramunga Array Facility and collaborates with international teams on Mars seismology (InSight) and Antarctic seismic deployments. Supervises a dynamic group of PhD students and postdocs exploring Earth's deep structure and planetary processes.
Dr. Saidul Islam is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia. He joined UTS as a Senior Lecturer on July 5, 2024, having previously served as a Lecturer (May 2022-July 2024), Scholarly Teaching Fellow (May 2019-May 2022), and Postdoctoral Research Fellow (January-December 2018) at the same institution. Dr. Islam completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia. Dr. Islam's research spans multiple critical areas in engineering and environmental science. His primary expertise lies in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), Discrete Element Method (DEM), machine learning applications in fluid systems, thermofluids, thermal management, energy storage technologies, phase change materials, and biomedical modeling. His work addresses pressing global challenges including sustainable energy systems, air pollution impacts on respiratory health, and advanced thermal management solutions for electronics and industrial applications. His research has significant implications for clean energy technologies (SDG 7), industrial innovation (SDG 9), and climate action (SDG 13). Analysis of Dr. Islam's recent publications reveals a strong focus on energy storage systems, particularly metal hydride hydrogen storage and phase change materials for thermal management. His work integrates computational modeling with experimental validation, increasingly incorporating machine learning techniques to optimize thermal systems. There's a clear trajectory toward addressing environmental sustainability through low-GWP refrigerants and clean energy technologies, while simultaneously advancing biomedical applications through sophisticated modeling of particle transport in human airways. Best Early Career Researcher (ECR) Paper Award (2019) High-Achiever HDR Student Award QUT (2017) Best Paper Award (2015) Nomination for Outstanding PhD Thesis Award (2018) Nomination for Vice-Chancellor Teaching Award-QUT (2017) Dr. Islam actively supervises Masters and PhD students in research areas including multiphase flow, CFD-DEM, human lung modeling, energy storage, PCM, hydrogen energy, heat and mass transfer, bush fire and air quality, and thermofluids. His funded research projects include 'Decarbonising commercial and industrial process heating in Australia' (2024-2025), 'Caloric heat management space technology' (2023-2024), 'Enabling Resilient Space Computing with Advanced Thermal Management' (2023-2024), and 'Mechanical Ventilation of Stenosis Airway and Targeted Drug Delivery' (2019-2021). He serves as a guest editor for special issues on occupational respiratory health and heat wave impacts, and as an editor for International Journal of Fluid Engineering and PLoS ONE.
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.
Dr. Wei Hong is a Research Fellow in Critical Minerals Characterisation at the Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences (CODES), School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania. He has held this position since November 2022, following his role as an embedded MinEx CRC researcher at the University of Adelaide and visiting researcher at the Geological Survey of South Australia from 2019 to 2022. His research focuses on applying geochronology, mineral chemistry, and isotopes to understand magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits, with particular emphasis on tin mineralization systems in Tasmania. PhD in Earth Sciences, University of Tasmania (2013-2017) Dr. Hong's research spans resource geoscience, geochronology, mineralogy and crystallography, exploration geochemistry, and isotope geochemistry . He specializes in using mineral chemistry and isotopic signatures to unravel the complex processes involved in ore formation, particularly for critical minerals. His work on tourmaline mineral chemistry has provided valuable tools for mineral exploration, while his studies of quartz textures and trace elements in Tasmanian granites have advanced understanding of tin mineralization processes. His research bridges fundamental geological science with practical applications for mineral exploration. Analysis of Dr. Hong's publications reveals consistent focus on porphyry and skarn deposit systems, with particular emphasis on tin, tungsten, copper, and molybdenum mineralization. His work frequently employs zircon U-Pb dating, mineral chemistry analysis, and stable isotope studies. A significant portion addresses Tasmanian geology, particularly Sn-mineralized systems in western Tasmania, while also extending to deposits in South China and South Australia. His integrated approach combines field observations, mineralogical analysis, and geochemical characterization to address fundamental questions in ore deposit genesis. Building capacity in Regional Australia to enhance Australia's Economy through research, training, and environmentally sustainable production of critical metals (Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 2022-2027; $3,537,047) Magmatic-hydrothermal volatile exsolution and mineralisation in Tasmanian Sn granites (Society of Economic Geologists Foundation Inc, 2015-2016; $5,705) Dr. Hong currently supervises three doctoral students working on projects related to skarn-type deposits and nickel mineralization in Tasmania. His supervision portfolio includes the 'Characterisation of Skarn-type Deposits,' 'Atypical Nickel Mineralization in Metasomatic Rocks — The Avebury Ni deposit, Western Tasmania,' and 'Characterisation of skarn-type deposits: Renison Bell Sn deposit.' His research is supported by significant funding, including a major $3.5 million grant focused on critical metals research in regional Australia, demonstrating the applied relevance of his work to Australia's resource sector and sustainable development goals. As a member of CODES at the University of Tasmania, Dr. Hong collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of researchers focused on ore deposit studies. His work intersects with various research groups specializing in mineral characterization, geochronology, and exploration geochemistry. He maintains strong industry connections through projects like the MinEx CRC collaboration and works closely with government agencies including the Geological Survey of South Australia. His international collaborations, particularly with researchers in China, reflect the global significance of his work on comparative deposit studies.
