Professor Ismet Canbulat is the Head of the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) and holds the Kenneth Finlay Chair of Rock Mechanics. With over 30 years of experience spanning academia, industry, and consultancy, he leads strategic initiatives enhancing global partnerships and achieving a top-two QS ranking for UNSW's mining engineering program. His prior roles include Group Geotechnical Engineer at Anglo American and Principal Engineer at CSIR South Africa. His research focuses on rock mechanics , mine design , and geotechnical risk assessment , with emphasis on dynamic failures, coal burst mechanisms, and computational modeling. Recent work integrates AI for wildfire prediction, machine learning for stress estimation, and sustainable supply chain frameworks. His publications demonstrate a strong trend toward energy-based failure analysis, fracture network modeling, and environmental impact mitigation in mining. Awards & Honors: Syd S. Peng Ground Control Award (SME, USA) Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Gold Medal BBUGS Geotechnical Practitioner of the Year He leads large-scale research projects with significant industry funding, supervises ~12 PhD students, and directs laboratories focused on rock mechanics testing and geotechnical analytics. As a Fellow of Engineers Australia and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, he advises mining companies and governments on geotechnical challenges and policy development.
Professor Andrei Savkine is a distinguished academic at the University of New South Wales, serving as Professor and Head of Systems & Control within the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications. With a PhD and MS from Leningrad State University, he has established himself as a leading researcher in robotics, control systems, and wireless networks. University: University of New South Wales School: School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications Department: Systems & Control Position: Professor and Head of Systems & Control Email: a.savkin@unsw.edu.au Professor Savkine's research spans robotics, control theory, and wireless communications with particular emphasis on UAV navigation, autonomous systems, and power grid applications. His work bridges theoretical control systems with practical implementations in surveillance, disaster response, and energy management. Recent publications demonstrate cutting-edge research in Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), multi-robot coordination, and secure communications. Analysis of his publication record from 2023-2025 reveals a strong focus on UAV applications across diverse terrains and scenarios, with increasing integration of machine learning techniques. His work shows consistent innovation in trajectory optimization, sensor networks, and communications infrastructure, with particular attention to real-world constraints like uneven terrain and security concerns. Professor Savkine has authored numerous influential books including 'Autonomous Navigation and Deployment of UAVs for Communication, Surveillance and Delivery' (2022) and 'Wireless Communication Networks Supported by Autonomous UAVs and Mobile Ground Robots' (2022), establishing foundational frameworks for modern drone applications. His research program demonstrates significant interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with researchers in power systems and computer science, addressing critical challenges in infrastructure resilience, emergency response, and next-generation wireless networks.
Professor Gianluca Demartini is a Professor in Data Science and an ARC Future Fellow at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology at the University of Queensland, Australia. He also serves as an affiliate of the Centre for Enterprise AI. His research focuses on human-in-the-loop artificial intelligence systems with applications for public good, bridging structured knowledge graphs and unstructured text analytics to address societal challenges. Dr. Demartini earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Leibniz University of Hannover in Germany in 2011, with a focus on Semantic Search. His academic journey includes positions as a Lecturer at the University of Sheffield (UK), post-doctoral researcher at the eXascale Infolab at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland), visiting researcher at UC Berkeley, junior researcher at the L3S Research Center (Germany), and intern at Yahoo! Research (Spain). His research interests span four major interconnected domains: Misinformation (studying human interaction with misinformation and AI-based mitigation strategies), Crowdsourcing and Human Computation (improving efficiency of human-in-the-loop systems), Big Data Analytics (designing scalable algorithms for large datasets), and AI for Public Good (applying AI for societal and environmental benefits). His work consistently addresses real-world challenges in information quality, human-AI collaboration, and ethical technology deployment. Analysis of Professor Demartini's recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward addressing misinformation through sophisticated human-AI collaboration frameworks, with increasing emphasis on cognitive aspects of fact-checking, data bias management, and strategic application of large language models. His research bridges theoretical advances in information retrieval with practical applications for societal challenges, particularly in media literacy, online safety, democratic discourse, and environmental conservation. Professor Demartini has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing the quality and impact of his work: Best Paper Award at ACM SIGIR International Conference on the Theory of Information Retrieval (ICTIR) in 2023 Best Paper Award at AAAI Conference on Human Computation and Crowdsourcing (HCOMP) in 2018 Best Paper Awards at European Conference on Information Retrieval (ECIR) in 2016 and 2020 Best Demo award at International Semantic Web Conference (ISWC) in 2011 Honorable Mention Award at CSCW 2020 (Top 2% of submissions) As an active supervisor, Professor Demartini currently guides PhD students working on cutting-edge topics including Retrieval Augmented Generation, Human-in-the-Loop Decision Systems for Online Safety, Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence for Democracy, and Bias in Data Pipelines. His research program is generously funded through multiple major grants: ARC Future Fellowships (2025-2028): PBIAS - A Principled Approach to Data Bias Management Swiss National Science Foundation (2022-2025): Large-Scale Political Participation: Issue Identification, Deliberation, and Co-creation ARC Training Centre for Information Resilience (2021-2026) Previous funding from Wikimedia Foundation, Meta, Google, and Facebook for projects on misinformation detection and human-AI collaboration Professor Demartini's work sits at the critical intersection of human computation, information retrieval, and AI ethics. Through extensive collaborations with industry partners including Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo!, IBM, SAP, and The National Archives (UK), he has developed practical systems that address real-world challenges in misinformation detection, data quality, and human-AI collaboration. His research group actively explores how to make AI systems more transparent, accountable, and beneficial for society through principled human-in-the-loop approaches that leverage both machine intelligence and human expertise.
Dr. Meg Edwards is a Lecturer in Wildlife Science at the School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland. With a PhD in Wildlife Ecology (2020) and 10+ years of experience in terrestrial vertebrate research, she specializes in conservation technology, animal behavior, and mammalian reintroduction programs. Her work bridges science communication with applied ecological solutions. PhD (2020), University of Queensland BAppSc (2013), Queensland BAppSc(Hons) (2015), Queensland Her research focuses on enhancing conservation outcomes through technological innovation, including microchip-automated systems for wildlife monitoring and predator avoidance training. Current projects examine the behavioral ecology of endangered species like Pookila and Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombats. Recent publications highlight trends in conservation technology integration, predator-prey dynamics, and behavioral interventions for reintroduction success. Key themes include microchip automation, invasive species management, and cognitive ecology. Dr. Edwards serves as Principal/Associate Supervisor for multiple PhD and Masters projects, balancing fieldwork with community-driven conservation strategies. She is affiliated with the Centre for Applied Climate Sciences and Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, maintaining an ORCID (0000-0002-1561-1942).
Associate Professor William Yeoh is a prominent academic at Deakin University 's Faculty of Business and Law , specifically within the Deakin Cyber Research and Innovation Centre . He also holds an Adjunct Professor position at University Tunku Abdul Rahman Malaysia (UTAR) and has previously served as Deputy Dean (R&D and Postgraduate Programs) at UTAR's Faculty of ICT. PhD in Information Systems, University of South Australia Graduate Certificate of Higher Education, Deakin University His research spans business intelligence & analytics, cybersecurity, metaverse, blockchain, AI, and information systems , with a focus on human-centric cybersecurity and education innovation . He has led groundbreaking projects like CyberNinjas (cyber safety in the metaverse) and State of Data and Analytics Maturity in Australian Organisations . His 15 most recent publications highlight trends in blockchain for real estate , cybersecurity frameworks , and social media analytics , reflecting his interdisciplinary expertise. Awards include IBM Faculty Awards , ICT Educator of the Year Gold , and Researcher of the Year from AISA. Supervision : 7 completed PhDs, including a finalist for Alfred Deakin Best PhD Medal Labs & Teams : Leads Deakin's Cyber-AI Theme and Co-Directs the Business & Technology Research Theme
Luke Perry is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University’s Victorian Heart Institute and Scientific Director of the Victorian Cardiac Anaesthesia Research Laboratory (ViCARL). He serves as Head of Research in Cardiac Anaesthesia at the Victorian Heart Hospital (VHH) and is a 2025 NHMRC and Heart Foundation Postgraduate Scholar currently pursuing his PhD under Prof Rinaldo Bellomo. He leads international collaborations with MIT, Mayo Clinic, and Cornell, and oversees the research of 12 students and fellows alongside 27 clinical staff. His research focuses on improving outcomes in cardiac surgery through innovations in haemodynamic monitoring, transfusion practices, and AI-guided pulmonary protection. Key research themes include the PUMA (pulmonary artery catheter use), CATO (transfusion outcomes), and GESTALT (computer vision-guided lung protection) programs, which represent cutting-edge translational research in perioperative medicine. His recent publications highlight trends in pulmonary artery catheter utilization, platelet and plasma transfusion practices, and the design of major clinical trials like the ROMA trial. Collectively, his work emphasizes evidence-based practice, health policy impact, and large-scale data analysis in cardiac anaesthesia. 2025 NHMRC Postgraduate Scholar 2025 Heart Foundation Postgraduate Scholar Co-founder, Cardiac Anaesthesia Research Accelerator (CARA) Published 72 articles, cited over 1,200 times Over $340K in chief investigator funding Luke Perry is actively involved in mentoring, having co-founded CARA, which has awarded 35 scholarships and generated 32 student-led publications. He has secured competitive funding from the Heart Foundation and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. His leadership in multidisciplinary, vertically integrated research at ViCARL underscores his role in building collaborative research capacity at VHH. ViCARL, under his scientific direction, is a world-leader in perioperative cardiovascular trials, integrating clinical, engineering, and data science expertise. The lab’s work spans haemodynamic monitoring, AI applications, and transfusion science, positioning it at the forefront of innovation in cardiac anaesthesia research.
Dr. Shibo Kuang is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at Monash University, specializing in computational process engineering with a focus on low-carbon metallurgy, waste management, and smart process design. His work integrates physics-based and AI-driven modeling to optimize particulate and multiphase systems, addressing challenges in particle transportation, separation, and reacting processes. He leads projects funded by ARC and industry partners, including the ARC Research Hub for Smart Process Design and Control. Kuang actively supervises PhD students in these areas and teaches CHE4162 (Particle Technology). His recent contributions span blast furnace efficiency, hydrocyclone optimization, and sustainable metallurgical processes. Research interests include developing predictive models for industrial systems, reducing environmental impacts via low-carbon technologies, and advancing smart process control. Ongoing projects involve direct reduction technologies, cyclone control systems, and plastic upcycling from waste streams. He collaborates with global institutions and industry leaders like Rio Tinto to translate academic research into practical applications. His 2025 publications highlight advancements in CFD-PBM modeling of smelting furnaces, hydrocyclone geometry optimization, and blast furnace profile simulations. Prior work includes studies on pneumatic conveying tribocharging and machine learning for real-time process prediction. Kuang’s research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action, responsible consumption, and industrial innovation.
Arooran Sounthararajah is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Monash University, affiliated with research projects focused on pavement engineering, smart construction technologies, and infrastructure sustainability. He leads and collaborates in projects involving big data analytics, machine learning for pavement life prediction, and geotechnical solutions for road durability. Education: While specific academic credentials aren’t detailed, his extensive involvement in advanced material testing and computational modeling suggests expertise in civil engineering and materials science. Research Interests: His work spans pavement material innovation, intelligent compaction systems, dust emission quantification via AI, and infrastructure resilience against environmental stresses. Key techniques include discrete element modeling, fiber optic sensing, and semantic segmentation for real-world applications. Publications: Recent works emphasize data-driven approaches to pavement performance, fatigue analysis of cement-bound materials, and 3D printing for rehabilitation. His contributions bridge traditional engineering methods with emerging technologies like IoT and machine learning. Awards/Grants: No explicit awards are listed, but his projects have attracted funding for initiatives like geogrid-reinforced asphalt and smart sensing systems. Advising & Labs: While students aren’t listed, his project roles as 'Project Manager' indicate leadership in multi-institutional teams. Collaborations include institutions like the University of Melbourne and industry partners in construction tech. Labs/Teams: Engaged with Monash’s civil engineering labs specializing in pavement testing and smart infrastructure systems, though specific lab names aren’t provided.
Professor Eric Chow is a leading STI epidemiologist and biostatistician based at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) at The Alfred Hospital. He holds a professorial position at the School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, and is an Honorary Principal Fellow at the Melbourne School of Population & Global Health, University of Melbourne. His research focuses on improving the prevention, treatment, and control of sexually transmitted infections, particularly gonorrhoea and human papillomavirus (HPV). PhD, HIV/STI Epidemiology, University of New South Wales (2014) MBiostat, Biostatistics, University of Melbourne MPH, Public Health, University of New South Wales MScMed(ClinEpid), Clinical Epidemiology, University of Sydney MApplSc(Bioinf), Bioinformatics, University of Sydney BSc, Forensic Biology, University of Technology Sydney Prof Chow's research has reshaped understanding of gonorrhoea transmission, particularly through saliva and kissing, leading to public health interventions such as mouthwash trials. He has evaluated the national HPV vaccination program, demonstrating its broad public health benefits. His work integrates epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health policy to combat antimicrobial resistance and improve sexual health outcomes. The recent publications reflect a strong focus on digital health tools (AI chatbots, symptom checkers), antimicrobial resistance (gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma genitalium), and advanced data science methods (machine learning, spatial mapping). His work spans clinical trials, systematic reviews, and population-level surveillance, with strong implications for public health policy and clinical practice. Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases (2022) Commonwealth Health Minister's Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research (2020) NHMRC Research Excellence Award (2019) NHMRC Leadership Investigator Grant L1 (2025–2029) President, Sexual Health Society of Victoria (2020–2023) Congress President, IUSTI World Congress (2024) Prof Chow mentors PhD students and has been actively involved in grant review, editorial boards (including Frontiers in Medicine ), and scientific conferences. He leads multiple NHMRC and WHO-funded projects, including trials on antimicrobial stewardship and pooled STI testing. His research has direct policy impact, informing national and international guidelines. He leads the Health Data Management and Biostatistics Unit and co-heads the Clinical Evaluation Unit at MSHC. He collaborates extensively with public health agencies, government bodies, and international organizations to translate research into practice and improve population health outcomes.
Christopher Fairley is Professor of Public Health at Monash University and Director of the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, a leading institution in sexual health research and clinical care. He is also affiliated with the Centre to Impact Antimicrobial Resistance. His work is recognized internationally for advancing public health strategies in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Professor of Public Health, Monash University Director, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre Partner Investigator, ARC Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance Editor, Sexual Health Journal (2004–2023) President, Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine (2020–2022) Assistant Secretary, International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) His research focuses on the public health control of STIs, including HIV, HPV, syphilis, and Mycoplasma genitalium . He investigates clinical service effectiveness, antimicrobial resistance, vaccination impact, and digital health innovations. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals in health and well-being. The recent publications highlight a strong trend toward integrating artificial intelligence and digital tools into sexual health services, alongside rigorous epidemiological studies on resistance patterns, service delivery, and health-seeking behavior. His research spans clinical trials, systematic reviews, and public health surveillance. Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), 2018 RACP Eric Susman Prize, 2018 Fellow, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS), 2018 ASRHA Innovation Award (2021) Australian Museum Eureka Prize (2022) CAPHIA Research Excellence Award (Team, 2023) City of Melbourne LGBTIQA+ Award (2023) Professor Fairley has supervised 37 doctoral students and leads multiple NHMRC and industry-funded research projects, including Optimising STI Control and eSTI: A Digital Sexual Health Hub . He serves on the boards of IUSTI and ISSTDR and has been a frequent plenary speaker at international conferences. His leadership in national and global STI policy is evident through his editorial and committee roles. He leads and collaborates on major research teams such as the Australian STI Research Group and the ARC Research Hub to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance, working with institutions across Australia and internationally to improve sexual health outcomes.
Warren Clements is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Surgery at Monash University and a full-time staff specialist Interventional Radiologist at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. He is actively involved in research, teaching medical students and junior doctors, and supervising graduate research students from Monash University and the University of Melbourne. Adjunct Professor, Department of Surgery, Monash University Interventional Radiologist, The Alfred Hospital Deputy Editor, Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology Editorial Board Member, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology (CVIR) and CVIR Endovascular Accredited by the European Board of Interventional Radiology (EBIR-ES) Education: Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Clinical Research (FCR), Harvard University Master of Health Administration, Monash University Honours Degree of Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Monash University Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Monash University Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), University of Queensland Warren Clements' research and clinical interests center on interventional radiology, particularly embolisation (including uterine fibroid embolisation), trauma intervention, and the management of inferior vena cava filters. He is deeply committed to medical education and training, contributing to curriculum development and student supervision. His work emphasizes quality improvement, patient safety, and sustainable practices in radiology. His recent publications span topics such as cost-effectiveness in interventional radiology, AI in scientific writing, complications in procedures, and educational gaps in radiology training. These reflect a strong trend toward improving clinical outcomes, enhancing teaching, and promoting innovation and sustainability in healthcare. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Alfred Health Recognising Excellence Awards – Exceptional Patient Outcomes (Individual), 2023 Alfred Health Recognising Excellence Awards – Improvement, Innovation and Research (Team), 2023 CVIR Endovascular Young Investigator Award, 2023 Alfred Health Recognising Excellence Awards – Exceptional Impact: Patient Outcomes, 2024 Alfred Health Recognising Excellence Awards – Individual: Education, Innovation and Sustainability, 2024 Warren supervises multiple HDR and non-HDR students and has led numerous research projects as Primary Chief Investigator. He is also active in professional service, serving on committees of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia. He contributes to international societies including the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe and the Society of Interventional Radiology. He is involved in editorial work and peer review for major journals and plays a key role in shaping research standards and educational content in interventional radiology.
Dr. Shobi Sivathamboo is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Neuroscience at the Faculty of Medicine, Monash University. She also holds an external research position at Alfred Hospital. She leads the SUDEP research group, focusing on identifying biomarkers and risk factors for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, and developing wearable technologies for out-of-hospital seizure detection and early alerts. Education: PhD in Cardiorespiratory Function in Epilepsy, University of Melbourne, 2019 Her research interests include sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), epilepsy, cardiac comorbidities, seizure detection technologies, wearable devices, and artificial intelligence in neurology. She investigates how cardiorespiratory dysfunction contributes to SUDEP and aims to improve early detection and intervention for high-risk patients. The recent articles highlight a strong focus on SUDEP, seizure detection using AI and EEG, clinical diagnostic criteria for epilepsy syndromes, and systematic reviews on cardiac abnormalities in epilepsy. Her work increasingly integrates technology and large-scale data analysis to improve clinical outcomes. Scientific Awards: Bridging Postdoctoral Fellowship 2020 Developing Predictive Biomarkers of Epilepsy Seizures Prize (2016) Dr. Sivathamboo has secured over $2.5 million in competitive and industry funding, including an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Grant. She is a principal investigator in a global study across 86 epilepsy centers and mentors PhD students. She is also an active member of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) SUDEP Task Force. She leads the SUDEP research group at Monash University and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across neurology, cardiology, engineering, and data science. Her lab focuses on translating research into clinical tools for precision-based epilepsy care.
Greg Falzon is an Associate Professor of Precision Agriculture Systems at Flinders University's College of Science and Engineering. His work focuses on advancing agricultural technology through artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning to address food security challenges. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Image Analysis from the University of New England (2011) and has a strong record in industry-funded research, including over $26 million in grants. Notable projects include the e-Technology Hub for pest management and the Wild Dog Alert System. His research spans agriculture sectors like cotton, dairy, grains, and livestock, with global impacts. Awards include the 2020 Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering ICM Agrifood Award and the 2016 President’s Medal from the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. Falzon teaches courses in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Statistics, and actively mentors students in these fields. Key contributions include innovative systems for wildlife monitoring (e.g., Sentinel Bait Station), livestock vocalization detection, and automated cattle counting. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining computational, biological, and physical sciences for tangible agricultural outcomes.
Dr. Mark Derbyshire is a Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, affiliated with the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM). He holds a BSc and PhD in molecular biology from the University of Bristol. His research focuses on plant-pathogen interactions, particularly the necrotrophic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and its impact on canola. He leads a multidisciplinary team using genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular ecology to improve crop disease resistance and understand cross-kingdom RNA transfer mechanisms. Teaching roles include coordinating the 'agriculture stream' of the Applied Genetics course, lecturing on plant immunity and molecular biology techniques in Advanced Molecular Biology and Plant Molecular Biology units. His research spans genomic prediction models for disease resistance, fungal effector proteins, and co-evolutionary dynamics between plants and pathogens. Notable achievements include pioneering studies on small RNA-mediated cross-kingdom regulation and advancing genomic selection techniques. His work bridges fundamental biology with applied agricultural solutions, addressing global crop disease challenges through cutting-edge interdisciplinary approaches.
Dr. Guo Chen is a Scientia Associate Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications , University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) , Australia. His research focuses on smart grid security, power system optimization, and AI applications in energy networks. Power system security assessment Sustainable energy modeling Cyber-physical system design Optimization and control algorithms Smart grid implementation He has published over 110 high-quality papers and serves as an Editor of IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid . His work addresses cybersecurity threats, distributed optimization, and renewable energy integration in grid systems. Recent Research Trends: His 2025-2024 publications emphasize Byzantine-resilient decentralized optimization , EV charging security , blockchain-enabled grid protection , and AI-driven state estimation . Key subfields include stochastic composite optimization , multi-industrial micro-grid trading , and nonasymptotic convergence analysis . Contact: Email: guo.chen@unsw.edu.au
