Renjie Feng is a Research Fellow in Mathematics and AI at the School of Mathematics and Statistics and the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute , University of Sydney. His work bridges probability theory, statistics, and applications in machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence. His research interests focus on probability theory and its applications to machine learning , random matrix theory , and statistical physics . He investigates extreme value problems, spectral properties of random matrices, and topological features of random fields over Riemannian manifolds. Recent publications highlight trends in random matrix theory (GUE, GOE, GSE), extreme gap problems , determinantal point processes , and Wiener chaos . Collaborative works with F. Götze, D. Yao, and R. Adler emphasize U-statistics , multivariate linear statistics , and random topology inspired by Poisson point process studies.
Ron Steinfeld is an Associate Professor in the Department of Software Systems & Cybersecurity at Monash University, Australia. He holds editorial roles in Designs Codes and Cryptography (since 2017) and has served on technical committees for top-tier conferences like ASIACRYPT, CRYPTO, and EUROCRYPT. His research focuses on quantum-safe cryptography, lattice-based cryptography, and blockchain security, with over 80 refereed publications and AUD$4M+ in research funding. Education: BSc Mathematics and Physics (Monash University, 1998) BE (Hons., First Class) Electrical and Computer Systems (Monash University, 2000) PhD Computer Science (Monash University, 2003) Research Interests: Design and analysis of cryptographic algorithms, quantum-safe protocols, lattice-based security foundations, and blockchain applications. His work underpins NIST standard algorithms like Kyber and Dilithium through structured lattice problem research. Recent Articles Trends: Focus on privacy-preserving blockchain protocols, post-quantum signature schemes, encrypted data search, and cryptographic applications in adversarial AI. Recent work includes fair Bitcoin watchtower schemes and genomic database privacy solutions. Awards: ASIACRYPT 2015 Best Paper Award Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD projects on quantum-safe cryptography and blockchain security. Leads initiatives like the AUD$4M ARC-funded Quantum Information Technology project. Collaborates with industry partners including CSIRO/Data61. Labs/Teams: Key contributor to Monash’s cybersecurity and cryptography research groups, involving interdisciplinary projects on materials discovery ( Æinstein initiative) and post-quantum blockchain security.
Dr. Yogambha Ramaswamy is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Sydney and a member of the Sydney Nano Institute. She holds a Master’s in Biotechnology from the University of Queensland and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Sydney (2009). Her postdoctoral career began as a Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales, followed by a Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship in 2013 before joining the University of Sydney in 2015. Dr. Ramaswamy’s research focuses on biomaterials, tissue engineering, and mechanobiology, with a particular emphasis on developing calcium silicate-based ceramics and biopolymers for orthopedic and regenerative applications. Her recent work explores the role of physical cues in modulating stem and cancer cell behavior. She teaches courses such as AMME1961 (Introduction to Biomedical Engineering B) and AMME5962 (Introduction to Mechanobiology). Her research has been supported by grants including the NHMRC Early Career Fellowship and collaborations with institutions like the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and the University of Otago. Her publications span biomaterials, nanotechnology, and mechanobiology, with recent work addressing atherosclerosis, hydrogel design, and nanomedicine. She currently supervises PhD students Frank (biomaterials) and Alexander (atherosclerosis research).
Professor Stefan Maier holds the position of Head of School in Physics and Astronomy at Monash University. Previously, he served as the Lee Lucas Chair in Experimental Physics at Imperial College London (2007–2018) and built a new chair at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2019–2022). His research focuses on nanophotonics, plasmonics, and metasurface engineering, with emphasis on optical trapping, nonlinear optics, and novel photonic devices. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Technical University of Munich M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Research Interests: Development of metamaterials and metasurfaces for light manipulation Applications of nanophotonics in sensing, imaging, and quantum technologies Optical trapping and plasmonic catalysis Nonlinear optical phenomena in nanostructured materials Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes bound states in the continuum (BICs), 3D nanoprinted optical platforms, and active metasurfaces with tunable properties. Key themes include hybrid nanophotonics, ultra-high-Q resonators, and plasmonic nanomaterials for energy applications. Awards: ISI Highly Cited Researcher (2017–present) Grants/Projects: Chief Investigator in the All-on-chip twisted light modulator project (2022–2025) Leadership in Monash’s nanophotonics research team Labs/Teams: Directs a multidisciplinary lab at Monash focused on integrating 3D nanofabrication with optical physics, including collaborations in metafiber development and plasmonic biosensing.
Kevin Coulembier is a Professor in the Algebra Research Group at the University of Sydney . He has held a continuing position since 2017 and received prestigious awards including the Christopher Heyde Medal (2021), G. de B. Robinson Award (2022), and the Frontiers of Science Award (2024). Research Focus: Representation theory of algebraic groups, Lie (super)algebras, quantum groups, and monoidal categories; tensor ideals; and homological algebra. Grants: ARC Future Fellowship (2023), ARC Discovery Projects (2021, 2018), and DECRA Fellowship (2017). Students: Supervised postdocs and PhD students including Nick Bridger, Joseph Newton, Bregje Pauwels, Alexander Sherman, and Willow Stewart. Editorial Roles: Editor for Annals of Representation Theory and Mathematische Zeitschrift .
Dist. Professor Rachel Caruso is a Professor at RMIT University's School of Science, specializing in nanomaterials, energy storage systems, and photocatalysis. Her research focuses on advancing materials science through innovations in titanium-based nanomaterials, perovskite solar cells, and sustainable hydrogen production. She is actively involved in research supervision, offering guidance on topics like carbon capture, electrochemical CO₂ reduction, and antimicrobial surface engineering. Her work integrates machine learning for material discovery and emphasizes interdisciplinary applications in environmental and biomedical fields. Research Interests: Macromolecular Chemistry, Nanotechnology, Energy Materials, Photocatalysis, and Biomedical Applications. Supervision Projects: Includes pioneering studies on direct air capture of CO₂, graphene-based photocatalytic films, and perovskite materials for biomedical uses. Professor Caruso collaborates extensively on projects addressing global challenges such as renewable energy and antimicrobial resistance. Her contributions span over 200 publications, with notable advancements in titanium suboxide synthesis and electrocatalyst design.
Sushmita Ruj is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. She serves as the Faculty of Engineering Lead for the UNSW Institute for Cybersecurity (IfCyber) and as the Taste of Research (ToR) Coordinator within the School of Computer Science and Engineering. Her academic journey includes previous positions as a Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO's Data61 (2019-2022), Associate Professor at the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, and Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore. Dr. Ruj's primary research interests focus on applied cryptography, post-quantum cryptography, cybersecurity, blockchains, and data privacy. She designs practical, efficient, and provably secure protocols for real-life applications, with particular emphasis on critical infrastructure including smart grids, cloud computing, ad hoc networks, and data sharing frameworks. As quantum technology advances, her work increasingly focuses on developing quantum-safe algorithms to ensure a more secure Internet infrastructure. Her research spans multiple domains including cryptographic key management, proofs of storage, verifiable computation, vector commitments, and privacy-enhancing technologies for cloud and IoT environments. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward post-quantum cryptography solutions, with particular emphasis on blockchain applications, DNS security, and privacy-preserving protocols for industrial IoT. The research shows increasing focus on practical implementations of theoretical cryptographic concepts, with applications across multiple sectors including finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. Her work bridges the gap between theoretical cryptography and real-world security challenges, with growing emphasis on the transition from classical to quantum-resistant systems. Best Paper Award at ACISP 2024 JNCA Best Survey Award (2023) NSW Innovation Award (iAward) Merit Winner (2022) Women in Science Award from CSIRO (2020) ACM Senior Member (2016) IEEE Senior Member (2015) Samsung GRO award (2014) Dr. Ruj has successfully mentored numerous PhD and Master's students, with many of her former students now holding academic positions at institutions like IIT Indore, TU Wien, and CISPA Helmholtz Center. She has secured significant competitive funding including multiple Australian Research Council (ARC) grants, Samsung GRO Award, NetApp Faculty Fellowship, Cisco Academic Grant, and IBM Research grant. Her current research portfolio includes projects on blockchain-based quantum-safe digital medical passports, embedding trust in digital IDs, and resilience of supply chain unstructured data. As Faculty of Engineering Lead for IfCyber, Dr. Ruj plays a key role in UNSW's cybersecurity research initiatives. She has served on editorial boards for prestigious journals including IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security and has held leadership positions in major conferences such as ACISP 2021 and Indocrypt 2020. She was also a member of the working group on "Blockchain For Cybersecurity" for the National Blockchain Roadmap of Australia and the first Blockchain Working group set up by the Reserve Bank of India.
Jan de Gier is a Professor at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne . He is also the Founding Director of MATRIX , Australia’s residential research institute in the mathematical sciences, and a former Deputy Director and Chief Investigator in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS) . Additionally, he co-founded the Australian and New Zealand Association for Mathematical Physics (ANZAMP) in 2011 and served as its inaugural Chair. His research focuses on solvable lattice models at the intersection of mathematical physics and statistical mechanics . Key areas include the application of quantum integrability , algebraic structures like the Yang-Baxter equation, Hecke algebras, and quantum groups, as well as analytical methods such as complex analysis and elliptic curves. His work bridges pure and applied mathematics through connections between enumerative combinatorics , representation theory , and real-world phenomena like traffic flow modeling via exclusion processes . The 15 most recent articles reflect his expertise in integrable systems , non-equilibrium statistical mechanics , and algebraic combinatorics . Topics span Macdonald polynomials , stochastic duality , quantum spin chains , and traffic modeling , with methodologies involving matrix product forms , exact solutions , and critical phenomena analysis. He has contributed to editorial efforts through the AustMS Gazette and MATRIX Annals, and has been involved in public science communication via opinion pieces on mathematics funding and applications. His work emphasizes the importance of fundamental research in driving technological innovation, as highlighted in media articles discussing pi calculation , zero-knowledge proofs , and mathematics education .
Olga Kokshagina serves as an Associate Professor in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at The University of Sydney, with adjunct research appointments at Monash University's Emerging Technology Lab and the UNU Hub - Learning Planet Institute. She is also an active member of the French Digital Council. Her research program investigates technology-mediated collaboration in complex innovation systems, focusing on healthcare transformation, deep tech commercialization, and co-design methodologies. Kokshagina has led high-impact projects with global institutions including the World Health Organization, OECD, STMicroelectronics, Vall d’Hebron Hospital, and Roche, demonstrating strong translational research capabilities. Her scholarly work centers on value-based healthcare innovation, digital platform governance, and AI-enhanced collaborative systems. She examines how organizational capabilities evolve during technological transitions, particularly in healthcare ecosystems, and investigates regulatory frameworks for algorithmic control in digital markets. Kokshagina's research bridges theoretical innovation management with practical applications, evidenced by her co-founding of Ninti—an initiative advancing women's health in workplace environments—and her Open Covid-19 crowdsourcing campaign that mobilized global expertise during the pandemic. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals a cohesive trajectory examining innovation in socio-technical systems. Key themes include value digitalization in healthcare, mission-oriented interdisciplinary collaboration, and the impact of big data on technology management. Her work consistently addresses grand challenges through mixed-methods approaches, spanning conceptual frameworks in journals like Research Policy to applied studies in Technovation and R&D Management, with increasing focus on quantum readiness and AI-augmented learning systems. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. Kokshagina currently holds a 2025 research grant for "Co-designing societal readiness and scenario building for quantum" through the University of Sydney Nano Institute/Catalyst program. While no student supervision activities are mentioned, her collaborative projects involve multi-institutional teams across industry, government, and academic sectors. Kokshagina maintains active roles within the University of Sydney Nano Institute and contributes to international policy discourse through the French Digital Council. Her Ninti initiative exemplifies her commitment to human-centered innovation, while ongoing collaborations with healthcare providers like Roche and Vall d’Hebron Hospital demonstrate sustained engagement with real-world implementation challenges in value-based care systems.
Dr Alex Sherman is a Lecturer at UNSW Sydney in the School of Mathematics & Statistics . He previously held postdoctoral positions at the University of Sydney with Kevin Coulembier and at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev with Inna Entova-Aizenbud. His research focuses on representation theory and supergeometry , with applications to Lie superalgebras , modular representation theory , and tensor categories . He has published extensively on topics such as ghost distributions, Duflo-Serganova functors, and the geometry of spherical supervarieties. Email: alex.sherman@unsw.edu.au Location: Room 4111, The Red Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052 In 2025 , he will lecture the Linear Algebra stream of MATH1241. He organizes the UNSW Pure Maths Seminar and Algebra Seminar , and has co-organized courses on Kazhdan-Lusztig equivalences and tensor categories.
Dr. Ludovic Rapp is a Senior Research Fellow at the Research School of Physics , Australian National University (ANU) , and leads the High-Power Laser group at the Laser Physics Centre (LPC) . His expertise spans ultrafast laser interaction with matter , beam shaping , and laser-induced microexplosions for synthesizing super-dense material phases , including novel silicon allotropes. He is also the Laser Safety Officer for the Research School of Physics.
Associate Professor Judy Hart is a materials scientist at the School of Materials Science & Engineering, UNSW Sydney , specializing in the development of semiconducting materials for renewable energy applications. Her work integrates computational (DFT) and experimental approaches to understand composition-property relationships in systems like solid solutions , heterostructures , and doped materials for photocatalysis and solar cells . She leads projects funded by ARC Discovery and Linkage grants , including work on photo-electro-catalysis systems and stabilizing ceramic materials . Education: PhD in Materials Engineering (Monash University, 2007), BEng (Materials) (Monash, 2002) Professional Experience: Senior Lecturer (UNSW, 2017–), Lecturer (UNSW, 2013–2017), University of Bristol (2007–2012) Research Interests Her research focuses on designing materials for renewable energy , particularly photoelectrochemical water splitting and organic oxidation reactions . Key areas include Density Functional Theory (DFT) , defect engineering , band gap tuning , and nanostructured materials . She investigates ferroelectric polarization effects , metal oxide heterostructures , and stability of battery components , with applications in hydrogen production , CO2 conversion , and advanced battery materials . Scientific Awards Ramsay Memorial Fellowship (University of Bristol, 2007–2009) Teaching Contributions She is co-author of the 1st Australian & New Zealand edition of "Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction" , and teaches courses on computational materials science , corrosion-resistant surfaces , mechanical behavior of metals , and materials design .
Dr. Daniel Preston is an ARC DECRA Fellow and leader of the Preston Group at the Research School of Chemistry , Australian National University. His research focuses on supramolecular chemistry, designing structurally and functionally complex architectures from metal ions and organic ligands in solution. Education : PhD in Chemistry from the University of Otago, Rutherford Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Canterbury (NZ). Key research themes include: Supramolecular self-assembly of metallosupramolecular systems Development of stimuli-responsive foldamers and sensors Photophysical applications in FRET, donor-acceptor systems Anion recognition and gas adsorption studies His recent publications highlight work on: Low-symmetry metal cages (Fe 2+ , Pd 2+ , Pt 2+ ) Dynamic covalent approaches to lantern-shaped architectures Excited state control in bichromophoric photosensitizers Heterometallic and heteroleptic systems with positional/orientational control Scientific Awards : ARC DECRA Fellow ARC Future Fellow Rutherford Postdoctoral Fellowship Dr. Preston supervises PhD candidates Jessica Algar and Zack Avery, with active projects in mixed-metal clusters, self-assembled systems, and molecular machine development.
Dr. Sungyong Ahn is a Lecturer in Digital Media and Cultures at the School of Communication and Arts, University of Queensland, and an affiliate of the Centre for Digital Cultures & Societies. His research focuses on digital ontology, new materialism, and speculative (capitalist) realism, examining how smart technologies reshape human perception and governance. He holds a PhD in Media Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Education: Bachelor of Philosophy (Yonsei University), Master of Film and Television (Chung-Ang University), PhD in Media Studies (UIUC). His research investigates the interplay between technology, capitalism, and cultural production, particularly through the lens of the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum physics as cultural imagination, and French philosophy (Foucault, Deleuze, Badiou). Recent work includes analyzing IoT’s role in self-governance and the ontological anxieties of digital existence. Publications span journals like Media Theory , Journal of Cultural Economy , and Postmodern Culture . He is the author of Internet-ontologies-Things: Smart Objects, Hidden Problems, and Their Symmetries (2023). Available for supervision in media studies, digital cultures, and science/technology studies. Active in interdisciplinary collaborations, including the Centre for Digital Cultures & Societies.
Dr. James Saunderson is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Education in the Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering at Monash University. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT and has held postdoctoral roles at Caltech and the University of Washington. His expertise spans convex optimization, semidefinite programming, and quantum information theory. Education : PhD in EECS, MIT (2015) MS in EECS, MIT (2011) Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Melbourne (2008) Research Interests : Convex optimization, quantum information theory, signal processing, and algorithm design. Focuses on algebraic and geometric aspects of optimization, with applications in engineering and quantum systems. Recent Projects : Exploiting duality in quantum relative entropy optimization Hyperbolic programming and conic optimization Applications in nanotechnology and bioinformatics Teaching : Courses include Control System Design, Signals and Systems, and Optimization for Engineers. Awards : SIAM Optimization Best Paper Prize (2020) Grants and Collaborations : Australian Research Council Discovery Early-Career Research Fellow (2020–2024) Leading projects in quantum optimization and bioengineering applications.
