Dr. Rene Ferdinands is a Lecturer at the University of Sydney's School of Health Sciences, specializing in sports biomechanics, particularly in cricket and golf. He leads research programs focused on optimizing techniques and minimizing injury risks, such as lumbar load analysis in fast bowlers and spin bowling biomechanics. His work includes developing 3D models for analyzing bowling actions and spin delivery mechanics. Education: MSc and PhD from the University of Waikato. Research Themes: Cricket biomechanics, golf swing dynamics, equine biomechanics, and injury prevention. Professional Roles: Editor of the Cricket Coaching Information service for the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, Honours Committee Member. His research interests span biomechanical analyses of sports techniques, including the development of smart cricket balls for performance assessment and injury mitigation. Key contributions include refining bowling action legality criteria and advancing understanding of lumbar kinetics in elite athletes. He actively supervises Honours and PhD students in biomechanics research across cricket, golf, and other sports. Notable grants include studies on hydration status in cricket performance (2008), lumbar injury prevention (2013), and biomechanical modeling of fast bowling (2009). His work bridges applied research with practical applications in sports technology and athlete development. Dr. Ferdinands collaborates with the Biomechanics Research Team at the University of Sydney, focusing on innovative tools like smart balls and advanced motion analysis techniques to improve sports performance and safety.
Dr. Ehsan Abbasnejad is an Associate Professor at Monash University's Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and holds adjunct positions at the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML, University of Adelaide) and the Centre for Augmented Reasoning (CAR). He specializes in foundational AI, focusing on vision-language tasks, adversarial machine learning, and reinforcement learning. His work bridges theory with real-world applications in agriculture, energy, healthcare, and sports. Education: PhD in Computer Science from Australian National University (ANU). Research Interests: Machine Learning Theory and Adversarial Defenses Neural Network Robustness and Generalization Multimodal Learning (Vision-Language) Continual and Transfer Learning Applications in Energy, Healthcare, and Robotics Awards: Finalist for Australian AI Academic/Researcher of the Year (2024) Multidisciplinary competition wins (e.g., OzMineral Explorer Challenge) Advising & Grants: Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project on Reinforcement Learning CSIRO's Next Generation Graduate Fund Accepting PhD students in foundational AI and applications Labs & Teams: Director of Foundational Machine Learning & Reasoning at Monash, leading global teams in AI competitions and industry collaborations (Microsoft Research, NEC Labs America).
Dr Nima Izadyar serves as a Senior Lecturer and Course Chair of the Bachelor of Building Surveying (NBBS) at Victoria University's School of Built Environment and Engineering within the College of Sport, Health and Engineering. He leads curriculum innovation, applied research, and student-industry engagement in building regulation and performance. His educational background includes a PhD from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia (2020), with academic and research experience spanning Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Dr Izadyar's research focuses on developing practical, data-driven solutions for sustainable built environments. His work connects engineering principles with building science to improve indoor environmental quality, enhance ventilation performance, and integrate renewable energy systems. He has secured competitive funding for projects targeting sustainable housing design, digital transformation in construction, and energy efficiency through nature-based and AI-enabled solutions. His research output appears in high-impact journals in building, energy, and sustainability fields. His scholarly contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards including the Signato Medal and the AIRAH Higher Education and Research Award. Signato Medal AIRAH Higher Education and Research Award As an academic supervisor, Dr Izadyar mentors HDR students on critical topics including greening private outdoor spaces for improved indoor environmental quality, regulatory frameworks in Class 2 buildings, ventilation system optimization, occupant-centric window design, and BIM integration in construction education. His supervision approach emphasizes applied systems thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and alignment with national sustainability goals. He has secured competitive funding for projects targeting sustainable housing design, digital transformation in construction, and energy efficiency solutions. Dr Izadyar actively contributes to industry engagement through international collaborations that generate tangible outcomes in the built environment, serving as a reviewer, editor, and guest editor for scholarly publications while maintaining strong connections with industry partners to bridge research and practice.
Dr. Robin Laycock is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT University. He leads the Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (SoCoNeuro) Lab, focusing on behavioral and neural mechanisms of social perception in neurotypical and neurodivergent populations, including autism spectrum disorders and the neurocognitive effects of concussion. His research integrates methodologies such as eye-tracking, EEG, and fNIRS to study visual perception, face processing, and the impact of stress/anxiety on cognition. Dr. Laycock holds a PhD from La Trobe University, where he investigated visual processing pathways. His work also includes the BabyFace study, exploring social perception in pre-term infants using fNIRS. He is affiliated with RMIT’s Healthy Foundations Research Group and supervises research projects on topics like concussion neurocognition and social media’s neurobiological effects. Research interests span visual neuroscience, social neuroscience, and clinical applications of neuroimaging. He teaches undergraduate courses in Biological Psychology and supervises postgraduate research in vision science, neuropsychology, and affective neuroscience. His lab’s recent studies examine sex differences in sports-related concussion neuroimaging and the role of deepfakes in emotion perception research. He actively collaborates on projects addressing autism traits, stress effects on visual processing, and neuroimaging advancements.
Dr Nga Wun (Doris) Li is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) within the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, Department of Fashion and Textiles. She leads research in seamless knitting technology, smart textiles, and sustainable fashion innovation. PhD in Fashion & Textile Design (HK PolyU, 2021) BA (Hons) in Fashion & Textiles (HK PolyU, 2012) Certifications in Wholegarment Machine (Shima Seiki, Japan) and Higher Education Pedagogy (UTS) Her research focuses on functional garments, knitting technology, and bio-informed textile design. Key projects include smart socks for DVT prevention , one-size sports bras , and buoyant swimwear for children . She combines knitting with machine learning and 3D printing for material innovation. Recent publications highlight her work on compression textiles (2025), wearable glucose sensors (2025), and knitted metasurfaces for acoustic comfort (2024). She has secured AU$52,000+ in grants across 5 funded projects. Fashion Design Award (Jeanswest, China) Outstanding Presentation & Research Paper Awards (2024) Dr Li supervises PhD and MPhil students in smart textiles and sustainable design while coordinating machine knitting courses. She collaborates with AiDLab (Hong Kong) and Powerhouse Museum (Australia).
Laura Robinson is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology , University of Wollongong. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and extensive teaching experience in behavioral sciences, statistics, and applied psychology. Education : PhD in Psychology (2017), Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (2010), Bachelor of Psychology (2009), and Bachelor of Aviation (2004) Her research focuses on vulnerable populations, particularly women and youth, with expertise in substance use disorders, eating disorders, mental health comorbidity, and health equity. She has published extensively on residential treatment outcomes, continuing care interventions, and stigma reduction in mental healthcare. Recent publications highlight longitudinal analyses of psychological distress, weight stigma, and integrated approaches to substance use and physical health. She supervises PhD students on topics like veterans' mental health, methamphetamine use, and suicide prevention. Laura has received funding from internal and external sources, including grants for stimulant use interventions and health literacy studies. She serves on committees like the Australasian Professional Society for Alcohol and Drugs and contributes to peer-reviewed journals as a reviewer.
Florian 'Floyd' Mueller is a Professor of Future Interfaces at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, where he directs the award-winning Exertion Games Lab within the Department of Human-Centred Computing (ranked among the top 20 HCI departments globally). Previously, he held positions at RMIT University, Stanford, University of Melbourne, Microsoft Research, MIT Media Lab, Fuji-Xerox Palo Alto Labs, Xerox Parc, and Australia's CSIRO. Mueller is a member of the prestigious ACM SIGCHI Academy, an honorary group recognizing leaders who have made substantial contributions to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Professor Mueller's research focuses on the intersections between technology, the human body, and play. He originated the concept of "Exertion Interface," arguing that we should not just design "easy-to-use" interactions when "hard-to-use" interactions can also be beneficial. His work spans movement-based interactions, whole-body interfaces, uncomfortable interactions, somaesthetics, and exertion games. Mueller's research methodology often employs research through design, design ethnography, and autoethnography to explore these novel interaction paradigms, incorporating mixed-reality, augmented reality, virtual reality, electronic muscle stimulation, biosensors, wearables, and drones. His recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on bodily interactions and human-computer integration, with particular emphasis on emerging subfields like WaterHCI and SportsHCI, brain-computer interfaces, and gustosonic (taste and sound) experiences. Mueller's work has evolved from foundational exertion game concepts to more sophisticated explorations of human-computer integration where technology becomes seamlessly woven into the fabric of human experience. Professor Mueller's contributions have been widely recognized with numerous awards including: Inaugural honouree of the Australian Design Centre's Design Honours Tall Poppy award for "intellectual and scientific excellence" 10 "Best Paper Honorable Mentions" (top 5%) from premier HCI conferences 2 "Best Paper" awards (top 1%) at CHI PLAY and CHI Shortlisted for the European Innovation Games Award (alongside Nintendo's WiiFit) Nokia Mindtrek Ubimedia Award Mueller has successfully secured some of Australia's largest and most competitive research grants, achieving a remarkable 14% success rate on Australian Research Council Discovery Project applications. He has served as General co-Chair for CHI PLAY'18 and CHI'20, becoming the first Australian-based researcher to spearhead HCI's highest-ranked publication outlet, and is currently General co-Chair for CHI'24. He is Associate Editor for tier A journals including Elsevier's IJHCS (International Journal of Human-Computer Studies) and ACM's IMWUT (Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies). As director of the Exertion Games Lab, Mueller leads a research team whose innovations have been experienced by over 20,000 users across 3 continents and featured on the BBC, ABC, Discovery Science Channel, and Wired magazine. The lab has produced groundbreaking work in bodily interfaces, co-founding the CHI PLAY conference series and establishing new research directions in SportsHCI and WaterHCI through recent "Grand Challenges" papers. Mueller's lab continues to push boundaries with projects exploring brain-to-brain interfaces, lucid dreaming induction, and novel gustosonic experiences.
Buyung Kosasih is a Professor in the School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wollongong. He has held this position since 2000 and focuses on teaching and research in mechanical engineering, including Machine Dynamics, Finite Element Methods, and Renewable Energy Technology. His research spans fluid dynamics in industrial processes, renewable energy systems, and aqueous lubrication. Key projects include 3D-printed surfboard fin optimization and steel coating dynamics. Research interests emphasize experimental and computational fluid dynamics, particularly in renewable energy turbines and tribological systems. Notable awards include the 2013 Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning Award. He has supervised numerous students and led over 20 funded projects, including ARC grants for steel innovation and renewable energy. Collaborative work includes the Steel Research Hub and HVAC/cool roof efficiency studies.
Emmanuel Stamatakis is a Professor of Physical Activity, Lifestyle, and Population Health at the University of Sydney's School of Health Sciences (Faculty of Medicine and Health). He holds NHMRC Leadership Fellowships (2021-2025 and 2026-2030) and leads the Charles Perkins Centre's Physical Activity & Exercise Theme. His research focuses on lifestyle behaviors' impacts on cardiometabolic conditions, cancer, and cardiovascular health, using large-scale cohort studies and wearable device data. Key roles include directing the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub and co-chairing WHO's Physical Activity Guidelines Development Group. Education: PhD from University of Bristol (2003), post-doctoral training at University College London. He leads the ProPASS consortium, involving 45 cohorts with wearable data. Over 460 peer-reviewed publications, including Clarivate's Highly Cited list since 2019. Research interests integrate physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep analytics with clinical outcomes. Current projects explore wearables-based measurement innovations, SPAN (sleep-physical activity-nutrition) synergies, and intervention designs for GLP-1 receptor agonist users. Recent articles emphasize VILPA (vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity) benefits, sleep-cardiovascular links, and multimodal lifestyle optimization. Awards include Australia's Top Researcher in Sports Medicine and multiple NHMRC grants. Supervises PhD projects on physical activity measurement and intervention design. Active in 50+ peer-reviewed journals and national/international funding bodies.
Dr. Abby Haynes is a Research Fellow at the Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, affiliated with the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and Faculty of Medicine and Health. Her work focuses on physical activity for healthy ageing and people with disability, employing qualitative research, systems thinking, and realist evaluation. Key research themes include: Healthy Ageing Disability and Physical Activity Implementation Science Knowledge Mobilisation Her recent publications analyze: Inclusive sports programs for children with disability Fall prevention in acute hospitals Telehealth physiotherapy for aged care Realist evaluations of yoga and dance interventions Systems thinking in public health policy These emphasize public health, gerontology, and health equity approaches. Grants include MRFF-funded projects on traumatic brain injury rehabilitation (2024), fall prevention (2023), and aged care mobility (2022).
Dr. Thilina Halloluwa is a Teaching Focused Lecturer in the Department of Human-Centred Computing at The University of Queensland (UQ). He holds a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from Queensland University of Technology (2019) and a Computer Science undergraduate degree from the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology. With over 15 years of academic and industry experience, his research emphasizes real-world impact in education technology, financial inclusion, smart agriculture, and HCI. Educational Background: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Queensland University of Technology (2019) Bachelor of Computer Science, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology Research Interests: Education for All: Leveraging technology to enhance collaborative learning and social experiences in education. Human Money Interaction: Designing ethical AI solutions for financial services, particularly for underserved communities. Smart Agro: Developing AI-driven tools for crop disease detection, yield optimization, and precision agriculture. Software Project Estimation: Improving effort estimation accuracy through explainable AI (Metrix project). Key Contributions: Developed UrbanAgro (tomato disease detection) and BellCrop (bell pepper disease datasets). Pioneered Dhana Labha , a financial management tool for rural Sri Lankan communities. Advanced online exam proctoring systems for low-resource settings. Previous Roles: Lecturer at University of Sydney (2023) Senior Lecturer at University of Colombo (2013–2023) Lab/Team Affiliations: Smart Agro Project: AI-driven agricultural solutions Metrix Initiative: Software project estimation frameworks
Julia Powles is an Associate Professor at the UWA Law School and Director of the UWA Tech & Policy Lab. Her research focuses on privacy, intellectual property, internet governance, and the legal and political dimensions of data, automation, and AI. She has led investigations into high-profile cases like the NHS/Google DeepMind data breach and Sidewalk Labs’ smart city project. Currently, she advises on national robotics strategy, responsible AI, and privacy policies in Australia. With a background spanning academia, policy, and law, she holds roles in global committees and contributes to media outlets like the New Yorker and Financial Times. Her work bridges legal frameworks and technological innovation, emphasizing ethical governance and societal impact. Education: BSc (Hons) ANU, LLB (Hons) UWA, BCL Oxford, PhD Cantab. Expertise includes AI ethics, data privacy, and regulatory policy. Recent projects address drone delivery systems, corporate accountability of Big Tech, and governance in health monitoring. Awards include the 40 Under 40 Award for WA (2022) and Poynter Fellowship (2018). Grants include the Children’s Online Safety Program (2024–2027) and Minderoo Foundation initiatives. She chairs the PRIS Universities Network and co-chairs international tech policy summits. Roles: Director, UWA Tech & Policy Lab; Expert on National AI Centre, WA Privacy Committee. Research: Over 100 outputs, focusing on AI governance, corporate liability, and tech ethics.
Greg Haff is a Professor of Strength and Conditioning and Director of the Strength and Power Research Group at Edith Cowan University's School of Medical and Health Sciences. He holds a PhD from the United States (1999) and has extensive experience in strength and conditioning research, education, and professional practice. His work focuses on neuromuscular adaptations, training theory, velocity-based training methods, and recovery strategies. Haff has received numerous awards, including the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Impact Award (2021) and the UK Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year (2014). Affiliations: ECU School of Medical and Health Sciences, Strength and Power Research Group Education: PhD (1999), MS (1996), BS (1993) in Physical Education from the United States. Research Interests: Haff’s research explores optimal training methodologies, including periodization, eccentric loading, and velocity-based resistance training. He investigates how neuromuscular adaptations enhance athletic performance and reduce injury risk. His work spans sports science, biomechanics, and exercise physiology. Publications & Awards: Over 270 scientific papers, 9 books, and 28 book chapters. Notable awards include the William J. Kraemer Sport Scientist of the Year (2011) and the NSCA Young Investigator Award (2001). His research has been cited over 9,000 times (Scopus h-index 53). Grants & Labs: Leads the Strength and Power Research Group, focusing on applied strength training and performance optimization. Research spans athlete development, recovery strategies, and injury prevention.
Dr. Maxime Cordeil is a Senior Lecturer in Human Centred Computing at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Queensland. His research focuses on Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies for data interaction, interactive visualization systems, and AR interfaces for industry applications. He has authored over 60 publications in top-tier venues such as ACM CHI and IEEE VR, and was nominated as Australia's Field Leader in Computer Graphics in 2021 and 2022. Research Interests: Data visualization, immersive analytics, medical imaging, collaborative systems, and human-computer interaction. Current Projects: Includes embedded visualizations for sports performance, interactive machine learning in 3D environments, and mixed-reality applications in forensic science. PhD Supervision: Actively guiding students in topics like immersive gesture exploration, AR for digital health, and collaborative VR systems. His work bridges theory and practice, with tools like IATK (Immersive Analytics Toolkit) and the MADE-Axes hardware system. He collaborates with industry partners like Raytracer and CSIRO, focusing on applications in space exploration, underwater training, and remote operations. Awards: Multiple best paper recognitions at ISS and CHI, plus industry-driven research grants. Labs: Leads the Immersive Analytics research group at UQ, specializing in embodied interaction and spatial computing.
Karen Hayes is a Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at the School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University. With over two decades of clinical experience, she focuses on rural health equity, workforce development, and spatial justice in non-urban healthcare systems. Education: BaAppSc(Occupational Therapy)(Hons), University of Western Sydney; MHlthSc(Education), University of Sydney; GCertAppHlthBPsych, University of Newcastle Research: Rural occupational therapy services, spatial justice, workforce maldistribution, disaster resilience, and interprofessional education Awards: Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy (2024), Change One Thing Award (2023), Best Oral Presentation (2022), Best Presentation (2024) Her recent research examines the persistent shortage of occupational therapists in rural areas, spatial analysis of healthcare access, and simulation-based training for rural practice readiness. She advocates for systemic policy reforms to address geographic disparities in care provision. Key collaborations include work with institutions like the University of Western Sydney and active engagement in rural health conferences and policy groups. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and cultural awareness to prepare students for rural practice challenges.
