Gail Iles

Dr. Gail Iles is an Associate Professor in the School of Science at RMIT University, specializing in space physics and materials science. She holds roles such as Course Coordinator and has been affiliated with institutions like Kyushu University (Japan) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Her research focuses on space radiation, microgravity phenomena, neutron/X-ray diffraction, and magnetic nanoparticles, with applications in human spaceflight safety and planetary exploration. She leads projects like LithoSpace and has contributed to innovations in electromagnetic shielding and ground-penetrating radar for lunar missions.

Positions:

• Associate Professor, RMIT University (2024–Present)
• Senior Lecturer, RMIT University (2020–2023)
• Visiting Lecturer, Kyushu University (2020)

Research Interests: Space radiation physics, microgravity instrumentation, neutron/X-ray characterization, and planetary geology. Her work bridges fundamental physics with applied solutions for space exploration, including radiation shielding and extraterrestrial resource utilization.

Awards:

• Female Space Leader of the Year (2024)
• WISE Champion Award (2011)
• Bronze Medal for Parabolic Flight Research (2011)

Key Projects:

• Development of electromagnetic radiation shields for crewed spacecraft
• Space Situational Awareness using Machine Learning
• Lunar lava tube mapping via lightweight GPR
• Virtual reality tools for sensory data collection in space simulations

Collaborations: Engages with ESA, ANSTO, and international universities on projects ranging from neutron spectroscopy to space mission design.