Laureate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi is a globally recognized chemical engineer at The University of Newcastle's School of Engineering. He leads research in clean energy technologies, including the GRANEX heat engine, greenhouse gas abatement, and chemical looping processes. His work addresses critical challenges in energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, and reducing fugitive methane emissions from coal mines. With over $48M in research funding and 220+ publications, he directs the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) and holds leadership roles in national and international energy initiatives. Education: PhD (University of Sydney), MEng (University of Sydney), BSc (Shiraz University) Administrative Roles: Director of NIER, former Head of School of Engineering, and member of global energy advisory bodies Research interests span energy systems, combustion science, and sustainable technologies. Notable innovations include the VAMCO system for methane abatement and solar thermal GRANEX installations. Awards include the Carrick Teaching Citation and multiple engineering excellence recognitions. Scientific contributions include 14 PhD completions and over 20 funded projects. Current focus areas include hydrogen safety, carbon capture, and thermochemical energy storage. His labs (NIER) collaborate with industry partners like Siemens Energy and the Australian Hydrogen Council.
Professor Bing-Jie (Bruce) Ni is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a full Professor at UNSW Sydney. He is an internationally recognised leader in environmental engineering, wastewater treatment, greenhouse-gas mitigation, microplastics fate, electrocatalysis and sustainable energy systems. Education PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei (2005–2009) Research Interests Professor Ni’s research integrates process engineering, microbial biotechnology, materials science and mathematical modelling to develop sustainable technologies for high-efficiency pollutant removal, minimal carbon footprint and maximal energy recovery from wastewater. He is a global pioneer in: Modelling and control of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions from wastewater systems, Micro- and nano-plastics ecotoxicity and mitigation in anaerobic digestion, Transforming sewage sludge into high-value liquid bio-energy (medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain alcohols), Designing cost-effective electrocatalysts from natural minerals for green hydrogen production and wastewater electrolysis. Research Output & Impact Over the last decade he has published 2 research books, 30 book chapters and >400 refereed journal papers , including 35 in Environmental Science & Technology and 85 in Water Research . His work has influenced global policy: the IPCC adopted his nitrous-oxide-emission model in 2019 to revise national greenhouse-gas inventories for the first time in 13 years. Awards & Recognition ARC Future Fellowship & ARC DECRA Fellowship Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science) Royal Society of Chemistry Highly Cited Researcher (2020–present) Mendeley Data Top 2 % Cited Researchers worldwide Listed among “Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers” (Engineers Australia, 2018) 50+ additional awards including Scopus Young Researcher Award, South Australian Water Awards, UQ Research Excellence Awards, and Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Awards. Research Funding & Leadership He has secured ≈ AUD $10 million in competitive funding (six major ARC grants plus >20 government, university and industry projects). He serves as: Lead Guest Editor, Water Research Editorial Advisory Board, Environmental Science & Technology Associate Editor for Journal of Cleaner Production , Environmental Chemistry Letters , Environmental Research , Journal of Environmental Management Editorial Board member for five additional high-impact journals. Teaching & Supervision At UTS he teaches Renewable Energy Technologies , Environmental and Sanitation Engineering , Process Dynamics and Control , and Water and Wastewater Treatment . He is available to supervise Masters and PhD students in environmental biotechnology, process modelling and sustainable energy systems. Laboratory & Commercial Translation He heads active research teams at both UNSW and UTS and is the inventor of >10 granted patents , some of which are currently being commercialised to deliver real-world impacts in greenhouse-gas-neutral wastewater treatment and renewable energy production.
Professor Vishnu Pareek is the John Curtin Distinguished Professor at Curtin University, leading the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He has held academic roles including Dean of Engineering, Head of School, and various professorships since 2002. His research focuses on multiphase flow modeling, computational fluid dynamics, and reactor engineering, with applications in energy and chemical processes. He holds a BE (Hons) from MNIT, MTech from IIT Delhi, and a PhD from UNSW. Key research interests include LNG process modeling, erosion modeling, and granular flow dynamics. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work emphasizing structured packing design, biomass gasification, and additive manufacturing for process intensification. Notable projects include CFD-ANN hybrid models for fluidized beds and experimental studies on 3D-printed structured packings. His expertise spans industrial collaborations in LNG safety, fluid catalytic cracking, and biofuel production. Teaching areas include chemical engineering fundamentals and process systems engineering. He advises on energy policy and leads research teams in multiphase flow and reactor design.
Professor Sarah Bekessy is a leading interdisciplinary conservation scientist at RMIT University's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS). She leads the ICON Science research group, focusing on urban biodiversity conservation, human behavior in conservation, and nature-positive urban design. Her work integrates ecological modeling, social sciences, and policy to address biodiversity challenges. She holds an ARC Future Fellowship (2014-2020) and has secured over AUD 12 million in research funding. Her research interests include biodiversity-sensitive urban design (BSUD), conservation psychology, and spatial conservation planning. Key contributions include the BSUD protocol adopted by governments and developers worldwide, and co-developing methodologies for the UN Cities with Nature program. She advises organizations such as WWF, Bush Heritage Australia, and the Living Building Challenge. Prof. Bekessy has authored highly cited papers (H-index 50) in journals like Conservation Biology and Nature Communications. Awards include the RMIT Media Star Award (2022/23) and the City of Melbourne Design Challenge (2020). She is engaged in teaching, supervising 8 postdocs and 8 postgraduates, and actively contributes to conservation policy through roles like Lead Councillor of The Biodiversity Council. Her research spans urban ecology, threatened species management, and environmental decision-making, with a focus on bridging science and practice. Recent projects include investigating nature-based solutions for loneliness reduction and sustainable coffee systems. She emphasizes 'everyday nature' experiences in cities and advocates for measurable 'nature-positive' development frameworks.
Adjunct Professor Robert Speight holds a position at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) within the Faculty of Science, School of Biology & Environmental Science. His primary role is Director of CSIRO's Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform. He focuses on microbial biotechnology, enzyme engineering, and industrial biotechnology applications. His research spans protein engineering, microbial production systems, and biocatalyst development for industrial processes. Education: BSc (Chemistry) from Imperial College London (1996) PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge (2000) Research Interests: Enzyme optimization for industrial applications Microbial protein production systems Biocatalytic processes for chemical manufacturing Biorefinery development and techno-economic assessments Synthetic biology for future foods and sustainable bioproduction Grants & Projects: Lead investigator for the $6.5M Queensland Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology (2020–present) Biorefineries for Profit Phase 2 (RnD4Profit 2019) Collaborations: Works with industry partners and academic groups, including the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioeconomy at QUT. Affiliations: President of Synthetic Biology Australasia CSIRO Director of Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform Labs/Teams: Maintains collaborations in enzyme engineering and microbial systems through QUT’s adjunct role and CSIRO leadership.
Associate Professor Jenni Ilomaki holds a position at Monash University's Centre for Medicine Use and Safety. With expertise in clinical pharmacy, epidemiology, and public health, she leads a research group analyzing administrative claims data. Her work spans collaborations with governmental and non-governmental organizations globally, yielding over 150 peer-reviewed publications and $4 million in grants. She previously served as Chair of ASCEPT's Pharmacoepidemiology Special Interest Group and currently serves as Science Lead for the Monash Addiction Research Centre and Executive Editor of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Education includes a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) from the University of Kuopio (1999) and Master of Science (Pharmacy) from the University of Kuopio (2004). She completed a PhD in alcohol epidemiology at the University of Eastern Finland (2011) and a postdoc at the University of South Australia (2011-2014). Notable recognitions include Young Epidemiologist of the Year (2011) and the Ronald D. Mann Best Paper Award (2021). Key research focuses on quality use of medicines, medicine safety, large population studies, and innovative epidemiological methods. Major projects include developing clinical decision support tools for cardiovascular prevention, analyzing preventable hospitalizations in aged care, and investigating psychotropic medication trends in youth. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health equity and non-communicable disease reduction. Recent publications emphasize drug repurposing (e.g., SGLT2 inhibitors), opioid prescribing patterns, hip fracture outcomes, and dementia detection algorithms. She chairs multinational studies on stroke and myocardial infarction cost burdens, demonstrating interdisciplinary impact across pharmacology, epidemiology, and health economics.
Dr Conrad Wasko is a Sydney Horizon Fellow at the University of Sydney and an honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne. He specializes in environmental hydrology and climate change impacts on extreme rainfall and flooding. His work has been cited by the IPCC and he co-leads the update to Australia’s flood estimation guidelines. Previously, he held an ARC DECRA Fellowship and a McKenzie Fellowship. He has published over 50 articles and received awards including the Batterham Medal (2023) and the MSSANZ Early Career Research Excellence Award (2019). His research focuses on quantifying climate-driven changes in rainfall patterns and flood risks, with applications to infrastructure resilience and policy. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, UNSW Sydney (2016) Bachelor/Master’s qualifications (not explicitly stated in text) Key Roles: Member of The Net Zero Institute Editor of Journal of Hydrology X and Advances in Water Resources Hydroclimate Stream Leader, Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand His research emphasizes the intensification of extreme rainfall events with global warming, particularly their implications for flood risk and urban infrastructure. He uses advanced statistical models and climate data to project future flood scenarios and improve design standards. Recent work includes analyzing non-stationary rainfall patterns and improving flood frequency analysis techniques. Awards and Honors: Batterham Medal (Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, 2023) Veski Victoria Fellow (2020) MSSANZ Early Career Research Excellence Award (2019) Lorenz G Straub Award (2016) Grants and Projects: ARC DECRA Fellowship (University of Melbourne) Contributions to national climate change adaptation frameworks Labs and Collaborations: Partnerships with the Water Research Centre (UNSW) and the Net Zero Institute Collaborations on global flood risk assessments and hydrological modeling tools
Prof Peter Holland is a Professor of Human Resource Management at Swinburne University of Technology , where he also serves as Director of the Executive MBA program. His research explores employee voice , workplace surveillance , extended working hours , and well-being in extreme work environments . Universities: Swinburne University of Technology, Monash University Key Collaborations: Australian Consortium for Research on Employment and Work (ACREW), Ambulance Victoria His work spans both theoretical and applied domains, including: Impact of industrial revolutions on workforce health and safety Role of anti-violence HRM practices in frontline professions Challenges in sustainable HRM and organizational performance Stress management for paramedics and airline pilots Current projects examine smart technology applications for real-time well-being monitoring and post-pandemic workforce transitions . Grants: Recipient of Australian Research Council funding for parliamentary careers research and Swinburne’s Visiting Fellowships Scheme. Labs & Teams: Collaborates with international scholars on workforce resilience and digital HRM, and leads executive education initiatives at Swinburne.
Associate Professor Antony Moulis is a faculty member at the University of Queensland's School of Architecture, Design and Planning, where he also serves as Deputy Head of School. He holds a Bachelor of Design Studies and a Bachelor degree from UQ. His research focuses on productive cities, urban retrofit, and global architectural knowledge transfer, with notable contributions to books like House, Precinct, Territory (2023) and Le Corbusier in the Antipodes (2021). He collaborates with industry on projects addressing micro-urban resilience, energy transitions, and cross-cultural architectural exchanges. Research interests include urban infill housing strategies, architectural techniques from the 20th to 21st century, and the global influence of figures like Le Corbusier. He led UQ's participation in the Water Sensitive Cities CRC, focusing on green infrastructure and urban intensification. Awards include the 2025 Architecture Australia Prize for Unbuilt Work and multiple Queensland Architecture Awards for collaborative designs like the Blue Bower and One Room Tower. His work spans academic and professional journals, with over 50 articles and 4 books. He has supervised numerous research projects and contributed to exhibitions at venues like the Seoul Biennale. Moulis is a past President of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand (SAHANZ), and actively engages in architectural historiography and design pedagogy.
Associate Professor Ken Chiang is a faculty member at RMIT University's School of Engineering under the STEM faculty. He holds an Associate Professor rank and has over 20 years of academic and industrial research experience, securing over $12 million in research funding. His work focuses on innovative catalyst technologies, sustainable processes, and liquid metal catalysis for applications in CO2 utilization, hydrogen generation, and environmental engineering. Research Interests Chemical Engineering, Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and catalytic systems for renewable energy. Key Projects Recent projects include development of next-generation liquid metal catalysts for CO2 reutilization, low-emission hydrogen generation via ammonia utilization, and novel reactor concepts for process intensification. His research also addresses wastewater purification and solar-to-chemical energy conversion. Advising & Grants He has supervised 10 PhD students, 2 Master's students, and 2 industrial trainees. His funding includes government and industry projects totaling over $12 million. Labs & Collaborations Collaborates on decarbonization technologies and liquid metal systems, with contributions to RMIT's research network in sustainable energy and catalysis.
Dr. Mihajla Gavin is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS Business School), specializing in employment relations and human resource management. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) with First Class Honours and a PhD in Business from the University of Sydney, where her doctoral research focused on neoliberal education reforms' impact on teachers' working conditions. She previously served as Senior Advisor at the Fair Work Ombudsman. Her research focuses on fair work practices, gender equality, and the evolving world of work. Key areas include teachers' work dynamics, employee voice mechanisms, and domestic violence in the workplace. Mihajla has authored/co-authored over 40 publications, including co-editing the Research Handbook on Gender, Work and Employment Relations and the Field Guide to Researching Employment and Industrial Relations . Her work has influenced policy through expert testimony and partnerships with industry. Teaching excellence is central to her career, with awards including UTS Business School's Teaching and Learning Award. She pioneered the Business and Social Impact course, integrating social responsibility into business education. Leadership roles include President of the Association of Industrial Relations Academics in Australia and New Zealand (AIRAANZ), Treasurer of the Industrial Relations Society of NSW, and Co-Chair of UTS Business School's Social Justice and Inclusion Committee. Mihajla actively engages media, contributing to outlets like The Sydney Morning Herald , ABC, and HRM Online . Her current research projects address domestic violence leave laws, post-pandemic work trends, and student transition experiences in higher education.
Sugumar Mariappanadar is a Senior Lecturer at the Peter Faber Business School , affiliated with the Faculty of Law and Business . His research focuses on Sustainable Human Resource Management (HRM) , employee well-being, work intensification, and corporate sustainability. Developed frameworks for Stakeholder Harm Index and Health Harm of Work metrics. Examined interactions between SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 3 (Health) from HRM perspectives. Contributed to understanding Green HRM , ESG Derivatives , and Work-Family Balance in sustainable organizations. Authored/co-authored 15+ publications in journals like Sustainability , International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , and Asia Pacific Journal of Business Administration .
Michael Burton is an Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in the School of Agriculture and Environment, affiliated with the UWA Oceans Institute and the Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy. He holds a BSc from Bath University, an MA from Manchester University, and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Manchester. Previously, he served at the University of Manchester as a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer. His research focuses on applied economics in agriculture and natural resources, emphasizing quantitative methods for environmental valuation, particularly marine biodiversity. Key projects include the NERP Marine Biodiversity Hub and work on coastal ecosystems. He teaches Agricultural Policy, Econometrics, and Natural Resource Economics. Burton has secured 46 grants, including projects on biosolids transformation and coastal values. His awards include the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment Research Mentorship Award (2023) and collaborative research recognitions. He collaborates internationally on topics like habitat dependency indices and stakeholder engagement in marine management. Education: BSc in Economics, Bath University (1981) MA in Agricultural Economics, Manchester University PhD in Agricultural Economics, Manchester University Research Interests: His work spans agricultural policy, bio-economic modelling, non-market valuation, and sustainable resource management. He applies choice experiments and willingness-to-pay analyses to evaluate environmental and policy impacts. Current emphases include marine ecosystem valuation, urban waterways management, and stakeholder-driven decision support systems. Grants & Projects: Valuation of marine biodiversity (NERP Marine Biodiversity Hub) Coastal Values Project (WA Department of Planning) Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Biosolids (ARC) Awards: School of Agriculture and Environment Award for Research Mentorship (2023) Quality of Research Discovery Award (2021) Quality of Research Communication Award (2014) Labs/Teams: He leads research through the UWA Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy and collaborates with the UWA Oceans Institute. His work integrates interdisciplinary teams for marine spatial planning and ecosystem service valuation.
Dr. Mehdi Jafarian is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Adelaide . His work focuses on hydrogen production , CO2 capture , solar thermal energy , and chemical looping combustion . Key research areas include: Solar thermal integration in industrial processes Hydrogen generation via methane pyrolysis CO2 sequestration technologies Advanced water treatment systems Thermochemical energy storage Research Trends : Recent publications emphasize hydrogen production optimization , PFAS removal , and molten metal reactor systems . Sub-fields span flash reactor modeling , hydrodynamic cavitation , and membrane-free electrolysis . Contact : mehdi.jafarian@adelaide.edu.au
Vladimir Smirnov is an Associate Professor in the School of Economics at the University of Sydney , affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. His research spans game theory , industrial organization , and microeconomic modeling , focusing on strategic timing, market entry, collusion, and team dynamics. Education: PhD from Australian National University (2002). Smirnov’s research explores timing games with applications to market competition, tournaments, and investment strategies. He investigates collusion mechanisms in markets with price dispersion and fringe competition, and applies machine learning to energy economics in forecasting electricity imbalance prices. His recent work addresses team diversity , work intensification , and organizational communication . His publications appear in journals like Economic Theory , Games and Economic Behavior , and Energy Economics , with 15 articles since 2020 highlighting trends in strategic equilibrium , deep learning , and market dynamics . Collaborators include Alexander Matros, Andrew Wait, and Nicolas de Roos. Smirnov’s contributions to economic theory emphasize sequential investment , hold-up problems , and information asymmetry in organizational decision-making. His work informs policy on market regulation, innovation incentives, and team productivity.
