Associate Professor Wenhua Zhao is a globally recognized expert in offshore hydrodynamics and renewable energy technologies at The University of Queensland , School of Civil Engineering. With over 110 publications and 30 million AUD in secured research funding, his work bridges theoretical and practical advancements in marine engineering. Research focuses on Clean Energy , Artificial Intelligence , and Climate Change , specifically floating wind energy, floating solar, offshore aquaculture, and green hydrogen production. His 15 most recent articles (2024-2025) emphasize wave-structure interactions, gap resonance dynamics, and AI-driven wave prediction, published in top journals like Journal of Fluid Mechanics and Ocean Engineering . Scientific awards include the prestigious ARC Future Fellowship (2024-2028) and DECRA Fellowship (2019-2022) , recognizing his contributions to academia and industry. He teaches the 'Design of Offshore Energy Systems' course , training hundreds of students in coastal and ocean engineering, and serves as Deputy Editor for Ocean Engineering and Associate Editor for ASME's Journal of OMAE . Available for research supervision, Zhao actively collaborates with editorial boards of Applied Ocean Research and other Q1 journals.
Professor Hala Zreiqat AM is a leading biomedical engineer at The University of Sydney , serving as the Director of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering . A Fellow of all major Australian academies (AAS, ATSE, FAHMS, FRSN), she develops 3D printed bioceramics for bone regeneration while championing diversity through initiatives like the IDEAL Society and BIOTech Futures mentorship program. Her work bridges academia, clinical practice, and industry in musculoskeletal research . Research Focus: Her lab creates synthetic bone scaffolds that mimic natural bone architecture, strength, and porosity, enabling non-rejected bone regeneration via patient-matched implants. Key applications include orthopaedic, dental, and maxillofacial repair , with over $18M in competitive funding and multiple patents. Current projects explore AI-driven scaffold performance prediction and anti-senescence strategies for aging-related bone loss. Scientific Trends: Recent publications highlight 3D printed nanovoxelated ceramics , antisenescence biomaterials , and multifunctional theranostic platforms . Her team integrates machine learning for scaffold design, atom probe tomography for interface analysis, and two-photon imaging for cellular monitoring in 3D environments. 2021-2022 Fulbright Senior Scholar 2018 NSW Premier's Woman of the Year 2019 Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology Fellow of Australian Academy of Science (2021) Over $18M in research funding Teaching & Leadership: She designed core courses like Tissue Engineering and Nanomaterials in Medicine , mentoring 158 students in 2020 alone. As Chair of CAAR (2020-2023), she strengthens Australia-Arab collaborations. Her lab trains early-career researchers , with alumni now in academia and industry.
Scientia Professor Nasser Khalili is the Head of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He also serves as the Director of the ARC Research Hub for Resilient and Intelligent Infrastructure Systems (RIIS), President of the Australian Association for Computational Mechanics (AACM), and a core member of the International Technical Committee on Unsaturated Soil (TC106). His research focuses on geotechnical engineering, computational mechanics, porous media behavior, and sustainable infrastructure systems. Key areas of expertise include unsaturated soils, hydraulic fracturing modeling, and advanced material characterization for asphalt mixtures. Professor Khalili's work integrates computational methods with experimental analysis to address challenges in infrastructure resilience and environmental sustainability. He has pioneered studies on pore pressure dynamics, fracture mechanics in porous media, and the application of waste materials in construction. His leadership roles in national and international committees reflect his influence in advancing geotechnical and computational engineering practices. His scientific contributions include over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing machine learning applications in civil engineering and innovative solutions for sustainable asphalt mixes. Awards include Fellowship of the Academy, recognizing his significant impact on the field.
Dr. Haoran Zuo is a Research Fellow and ARC DECRA Fellow at Curtin University's School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He holds a PhD (2019) and has held postdoctoral and research roles at Curtin and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research focuses on structural dynamics, vibration control of offshore wind turbines, and seismic response analysis. He has secured prestigious fellowships including ARC DECRA (2024) and Marie Curie (2025). Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, Curtin University (2019) Research Interests: Structural dynamics and vibration mitigation Offshore wind energy systems Seismic response analysis Energy-harvesting control technologies Key Research Trends (2022-2025): Focused on advanced vibration control solutions for offshore wind turbines, including novel damper technologies (e.g., TTMD, KDamper), metamaterial applications, and fatigue analysis under multi-hazard conditions. His work combines experimental validation, numerical modeling, and innovative control system design. Awards: ARC DECRA Fellowship (2024-2028) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (2025) Highly Cited Paper in Engineering (2024) Best Paper Awards (2024) Grants & Advising: Sole CI on ARC DECRA grant for hybrid wind-wave energy systems. Advises on projects involving floating platforms and structural resilience. Active in collaborative research with industry and international institutions. Labs/Teams: Part of the Curtin Research Centre for Infrastructural Monitoring & Protection, focusing on structural health monitoring and resilient infrastructure design.
Dr. Boyin Ding is an Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide , serving as Academic Director at Haide College and researcher in the Mechanical Engineering department within the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. He leads the Wave Energy Research initiative established in 2014, while also contributing to Robotics and Biomechanics through his work with the Flinders Medical Device Research Institute. Research Areas: Ocean Wave Energy Harvesting Control Systems for Renewable Energy 6DOF Robotic Testing Spine Biomechanics Transnational Education Programs Key Collaborations: Australia-China Joint Research Centre for Offshore Wind & Wave Energy Acoustics, Vibration and Control Research Group Scientific Awards: Australian Endeavour Fellowship Malcolm Kinnaird Engineering Excellence Award (2012) His recent publications focus on hybrid offshore energy systems, nonlinear hydrodynamics in wave energy converters, and biomechanical testing technologies. He has developed control algorithms for floating offshore wind-wave systems and pioneered 6DOF robotic platforms for medical applications. As an eligible PhD supervisor, he actively collaborates with global industries and academic institutions.
Professor Elias Aboutanios is a distinguished academic at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), serving as Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications. With a career spanning over two decades in academia and research, he has established himself as a leading expert in signal processing, radar systems, satellite technology, and NMR spectroscopy. Professor Aboutanios earned his BE in Electrical Engineering from UNSW in 1997 and completed his PhD from UTS in 2002, with research focused on frequency estimation for communications with low earth orbit satellites. Following his doctoral studies, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Institute for Digital Communications at the University of Edinburgh from 2003 to 2007, specializing in space-time adaptive processing for radar target detection. He joined UNSW as a senior lecturer in 2007, was promoted to associate professor in 2019, and achieved the rank of Professor in 2022. His research interests span a broad spectrum of signal processing domains including signal and image processing, parameter estimation, array signal processing, statistical signal processing, positioning and localization, radar and sonar signal processing, NMR signal processing, and space systems. Professor Aboutanios has developed significant expertise in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, global navigation satellite systems, radar target detection, biologically inspired signal processing, power systems and smart grids, and theoretical signal processing. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications across multiple engineering disciplines. Professor Aboutanios's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on integrated sensing and communication systems, radar technology, satellite applications, and advanced signal processing techniques. His research shows a clear trajectory toward dual-function radar-communication systems, massive MIMO architectures, CubeSat technology for air traffic monitoring, and innovative approaches to NMR spectroscopy. His work consistently addresses challenging problems in signal parameter estimation, adaptive processing, and system design across multiple application domains. Professor Aboutanios has made significant contributions to engineering education, having developed new courses in electrical engineering design and established the master's program in satellite systems engineering. His educational innovations focus on teaching signal processing through frequent and diverse design experiences, enhancing student learning outcomes in technical subjects. He has led significant space projects including UNSW's involvement in the European QB50 project and the UNSW-EC0 satellite mission, which successfully launched in 2017. As a member of the Space Industry Association of Australia's Legislation Working Group, he has contributed to shaping space policy through multiple submissions to the Australian Government's review of the Space Activities Act.
Dr. Ajay Achath Mohanan is a Lecturer at the Malaysia School of Engineering, Monash University. He holds a PhD in Engineering from Monash University Malaysia (2016) and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering from the same institution (2009). His research focuses on flexible surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors integrated with ZnO nanostructures, transitioning from rigid to flexible substrates. Key areas include piezoelectric ZnO thin films on polymers, low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis of nanowires, and UV-LED photolithography for sensor fabrication. He teaches ECE2071 - Computer Organisation and Programming and ECE3091 - Engineering Design . Mohanan leads or collaborates on projects such as flexible Lamb wave resonators for wastewater monitoring and graphene-integrated acoustic sensors. He has contributed to over 15 peer-reviewed publications since 2009, addressing topics like SAW resonator design, nanowire growth, and semiconductor defect analysis. His research aligns with UN SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Mohanan’s work emphasizes sustainable sensor technologies for environmental and industrial applications. He operates in the Micro and Nano Devices Lab, advancing flexible electronics and wearable sensor platforms.
Adi Kurniawan is a Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in the School of Earth and Oceans, affiliated with the Marine Energy Research Australia (MERA) and the Great Southern Marine Research Facility (GSMRF). His research focuses on wave energy conversion, wave-structure interactions, and multi-objective optimization. He holds a PhD in Marine Technology from NTNU and has held roles at Aalborg University and the University of Plymouth. Kurniawan co-authored Ocean Waves and Oscillating Systems and contributes to industry standards (Standards Australia Committee EL-066) and journal editing (Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering). Research Interests: Wave energy converter (WEC) design and optimization Nonlinear wave dynamics and numerical modeling Multi-objective optimization of wave farms Parametric resonance mitigation in WECs Teaching: Previously taught OCEN4007 Renewable Ocean Energy. Active in the Oceans Graduate School, covering oceanography, hydrodynamics, and marine geoscience. Collaborations: Works with industry on sponsored projects, including wave energy device modeling and power prediction. Part of the UN SDGs contributing to sustainable energy solutions (SDG 7, 13, 14). Grants: Lead investigator on projects like 'Advancing ocean renewable energy systems through physics and machine learning' and 'WaveX Albany', totaling over $2M in funding. Projects emphasize scalability, cost reduction, and environmental impact assessments. Labs/Teams: Based at the GSMRF in Albany, collaborating with international partners on WEC testing and deployment strategies.
Associate Professor Melrose Brown is a faculty member at UNSW Canberra, School of Engineering and Technology, where he leads numerical space situational awareness research and coordinates the Space Masters program. He holds advanced degrees in Aerospace Engineering and specializes in applying high-fidelity simulations to satellite-environment interactions in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Research Focus: DSMC/PIC simulations for LEO satellites Orbit propagation and determination Ionospheric drag modeling Atmospheric physics Hypersonic CFD His recent publications analyze thermospheric responses to geomagnetic storms using GITM-OVATION models, ionospheric drag effects, and numerical tools like pdFOAM. Key keywords include Space Weather, Satellite Formation Control, and Computational Fluid Dynamics. He supervises Ph.D. projects related to aerospace engineering and offers scholarships for research in LEO dynamics. His work involves collaborations on CubeSat missions (e.g., M2) and space traffic management systems.
Ricardo Ruiz Baier is a Professor of Computational Mathematics at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, where he also holds an ARC Future Fellowship. He is affiliated with the Victorian Heart Institute and the Monash Data Futures Institute, highlighting his interdisciplinary research bridging mathematical theory with biomedical applications. His research focuses on the design and analysis of numerical methods for partial differential equations, particularly those that preserve the physical properties of natural phenomena. His expertise includes fundamental topics in numerical analysis and scientific computing such as analysis of finite volume and finite element methods using mixed and augmented formulations, space-time adaptivity and error estimation, perturbed saddle-point problems, multiphase flow and transport in porous media, cardiac electrophysiology and electromechanics, and interface problems. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on virtual element methods, poroelasticity models, and cardiac mechanics applications. His work spans theoretical numerical analysis, computational methods development, and practical biomedical applications, particularly in cardiac modeling. The research demonstrates a consistent focus on multiphysics problems and the development of robust numerical schemes for complex coupled systems. Scientific Awards: ARC Future Fellowship FT22 for 'Next-generation methods for transport in poroelastic media with interfaces' Australian Research Council Discovery Project DP21 for 'Towards predictive 4D computational models for the heart' Ruiz Baier actively supervises a large research group with numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working on diverse aspects of computational mathematics. His group has secured funding from multiple sources including Monash Mathematics, the Australian Research Council, IITB-Monash Doctoral Programme, and international government scholarships. He frequently organizes major conferences and workshops, including the Computational Techniques and Applications Conference (CTAC 2024) and MATRIX workshops on numerical analysis. His research group operates at the intersection of mathematics, computational science, and biomedical engineering, with particular focus on developing computational models for cardiac function and mechanics. The group collaborates with international institutions including the University of Oxford and University of Oslo.
Dr Nataliia Sergiienko is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide. Her research focuses on wave energy conversion, floating offshore wind turbines, and hybrid renewable energy systems, with a particular emphasis on power optimization, coastal erosion mitigation, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Research Interests: Wave energy converter design and control Hybrid wind-wave energy systems Coastal protection using offshore wave farms Deep learning for marine energy forecasting Hydrodynamic optimization of floating structures Supervision & Collaboration: Dr Sergiienko co-supervises multiple Honours and PhD projects with colleagues like Prof Ben Cazzolato and Prof Maziar Arjomandi, focusing on floating wind turbines, distributed propulsion aircraft, and CubeSat technology.
Dr. Aaron Zecchin is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Engineering at the University of Adelaide, affiliated with the School of Architecture and Civil Engineering under the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. His research focuses on fluid network dynamics, hydraulic system modeling, and evolutionary algorithm applications in engineering problems. His expertise includes transient analysis in pipeline networks, fault detection using statistical methods, and optimization techniques for water distribution systems. He actively investigates fluid-structure interactions, Laplace-domain characterizations, and sparse linear solvers for steady-state simulations. His work integrates advanced computational methods with practical engineering challenges, emphasizing infrastructure resilience and sustainability. Research Themes: Hydraulic transients, pipeline condition assessment, system identification Key Tools: Method of characteristics, Kalman filtering, ant colony optimization Applications: Water distribution systems, flood mitigation, wildfire risk modeling Recent publications emphasize anomaly detection in pipe systems, burn probability prediction using dimensionality reduction, and optimizing municipal infrastructure rehabilitation. His work bridges theoretical modeling with real-world infrastructure challenges, contributing to safer and more sustainable engineering solutions.
Dr. Guilherme Barros serves as a Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle within the School of Engineering and Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering, specializing in computational geomechanics and machine learning applications for rockfall hazard prediction. His academic credentials include: B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Fluminense Federal University (UFF) M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Newcastle Barros' research centers on Modelling and simulation (30% focus), Geomechanics and resources geotechnical engineering (30%), and Deep learning (20%), with additional expertise in Granular mechanics and Solid mechanics. His work pioneers hybrid approaches combining physics-based numerical methods (BEM, DEM, FEM) with machine learning to address rockfall hazards in mining, seismic wave propagation in unbounded domains, and computational limit analysis. This interdisciplinary framework significantly enhances predictive accuracy for geotechnical risk assessment in complex terrain. His publication record reveals a clear trajectory toward advanced multi-scale numerical coupling, particularly BEM-DEM integration for dynamic geomechanical problems across 1D to 3D domains. These works address critical challenges in infinite domain modeling, wave propagation discontinuities, and rockfall fragmentation prediction, demonstrating strong applicability to mining safety and civil infrastructure resilience. His scientific recognition includes: AGS NSW Research Award (Australian Geomechanics Society, 2025) Barros has co-supervised two Master's students on rockfall analysis projects: one at the University of Parma investigating material layer impacts on hazard prediction, and another at Newcastle comparing machine learning techniques (Random Forest, KNN) for trajectory modeling. His international research network spans Brazil (6 publications), Australia (5), and Poland (5), supported by funding from the Australian Geomechanics Society. As an active contributor to the Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering, he develops computational frameworks for real-world mining safety challenges, with current projects focusing on machine learning-enhanced rockfall prediction systems for NSW and QLD open-pit mines.
Professor Spiridon Penev is a faculty member at the School of Mathematics & Statistics , University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. After completing his PhD in Mathematical Statistics at Humboldt University, Berlin, he worked at Technical University of Sofia (Bulgaria) for 10 years, becoming Associate Professor in 1991. He joined UNSW in 1992, progressing from Lecturer to Professor in 2019. His teaching focuses on Statistical Inference , Multivariate Analysis , Longitudinal Data Analysis , and related advanced courses. Research Interests: Wavelet Methods in Non-Parametric Curve Estimation, Edgeworth Expansions, Saddlepoint Approximation, Structural Equation Models, Inference in Semiparametric Models, and Stochastic Risk Modelling. Article Trends: His work spans from foundational wavelet methods (pre-2010) to modern applications in climate model ensembles , portfolio optimization , marine engineering , and machine learning . Keywords include Statistics, Finance, Climate Science, Structural Health Monitoring, and Optimization. Awards: DAAD Award, Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute (ISI). Grants: Led ARC Discovery Project (2016–2018), ARC Linkage Project (2018–2022), and industry collaborations like SCA water quality analysis (2014–2019). Location: School of Mathematics and Statistics, UNSW Sydney, Room 1038, The Red Centre.
Associate Professor Hannah Power is a coastal morphologist and geologist at the University of Newcastle , affiliated with the School of Environmental and Life Sciences and the Earth Sciences department. She specializes in coastal processes, sediment transport, and climate change impacts on coastal environments, with a focus on hazards like tsunamis and storm surges. Her work bridges field studies, remote sensing, and numerical modeling, and she actively collaborates with government agencies for coastal management. PhD in Coastal Geomorphology, University of Queensland BSc (Marine Science) Honours, University of Sydney Research Interests : Coastal hazard assessment (tsunamis, storms, sea level rise) Swash zone and surf zone hydrodynamics Coral reef wave interactions and sediment transport Continental shelf wave dynamics and climate drivers Coastal management policy and science communication Recent article trends show a focus on continental shelf waves , tsunami modeling , and intermittent estuaries under climate change. Her publications emphasize hydrodynamic modeling , field measurements , and remote sensing across diverse environments. Scientific Awards : 2021 Science Technology Australia Superstars of STEM 2020 Newcastle Herald Hunter Hero Award Finalist 2015 APEC ASPIRE Finalist 2021 Australian Institute of Policy and Science Young Tall Poppy Award Hannah's teaching integrates science fundamentals, critical thinking, and evidence-based solutions. She contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate courses, emphasizing coastal dynamics and climate adaptation. Her NSW Coastal Council role (2020) informs policy on collaborative coastal management. Labs & Teams : Collaborates with the Environmental and Climate Change Research Group (ECCRG), Australian Forum for Operational Oceanography, and multidisciplinary teams for field experiments and modeling.
