Past Chancellor’s Research Fellows

Chancellor's Research Fellow 2024

Project: Pliable plants: How biogeography shapes plants’ adaptive potential to climate change.

Summary: This fellowship project aims to determine the importance of habitat complexity in plants’plasticity to climate change by conducting fieldwork across Australia and a novel series of glasshouse experiments. It will further our knowledge of the mechanisms that drive our ecosystems and identify those less likely to keep up with Earth’s rapidly changing conditions. Expected outcomes of this project include building networks across UTS and Australian National Parks, high-impact publications and identification of species/areas most at risk of climate change.This should provide significant benefits such as putting UTS on the map for globally recognised research and safeguarding our precious biota.

Sponsor: Associate Professor Brad Murray

Chancellor's Research Fellow 2024

Project: Drivers of low oxygen tolerance in extreme reef habitats over space and time.

Summary: Ocean deoxygenation poses a severe threat to the health and survival of marine ecosystems. This fellowship project aims to advance our understanding of how naturally variable coral reef environments influence the deoxygenation tolerance of key species. The results of this project will provide new data on the resilience of key reef species to deoxygenation and the drivers of variability in low oxygen tolerance to support continued management and conservation of Australia’s coral reef ecosystems under climate change.

Sponsor: Dr Emma Camp

Chancellor's Research Fellow 2024

Project: Programmable RNA-based antibiotics for urosepsis: A translational RNA biology approach.

Summary: Urosepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a urinary tract infection (UTI) disseminates into the blood, causing organ dysfunction and failure. Treatment failure is now common and attributed to antibiotic-resistant isolates that demonstrate resistance to last-line antibiotics. This fellowship will establish a programmable RNA platform technology that can attenuate urosepsis, be used in combination therapy with current conventional antibiotics, or re-enable deprecated antibiotics previously rendered useless by antimicrobial resistance. This RNA technology can be used as a broad-spectrum RNA-based antimicrobial that could be rapidly synthesised to combat emerging infectious diseases and complement the development of mRNA vaccine(s) in other human or animal infections.

Sponsor: Professor Garry Myers

Chancellor's Research Fellow 2024

Project: Adaptive terahertz antenna systems for inter-satellite communications.

Summary: This fellowship project aims to develop high-speed, compact, electrically controlled adaptive antenna systems for intelligent inter-satellite communications using terahertz (THz) reconfigurable metasurfaces. It expects to generate new technologies in space communications by exploiting interdisciplinary approaches, including tuneable metasurfaces, THz technologies and algorithms. This project promises secure, fast and uninterrupted data transmissions for constantly moving satellites. It will also enable institutional and multidisciplinary collaborations. The research outcome will significantly enhance UTS’s international standing in THz and space communications, and benefit Australia’s future space industry for commercial and defence purposes.

Sponsor: Distinguished Professor Yingjie Jay Guo

Chancellor's Research Fellow 2024

Project: Investigating the host-pathogen interface of Mycobacterium abscessus infection in cystic fibrosis.

Summary: In the last decade, the incidence of infections from non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have increased exponentially. The most clinically significant and pathogenic NTM species is Mycobacterium abscessus, causing severe lung and soft tissue infections. The major risk factor for NTM and M. abscessus infection is chronic lung disease and in particular cystic fibrosis, however the mechanisms responsible are poorly understood. This project will investigate the host and bacterial factors driving Mycobacterium abscessus infection in cystic fibrosis patients. This project will significantly advance our understanding of M. abscessus infection, identify new treatable targets and improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for cystic fibrosis patients. 

Sponsor: Professor Philip Hansbro

Chancellor's Research Fellow 2024

Project: Law and Justice? Social attitudes towards crime and policing from Australia’s past.

Summary: This interdisciplinary project examines the impact of the colonial past on current attitudes to crime and policing. It integrates public history, social memory and criminology to uncover how 3 historical figures—the bushranger, stock thief and colonial police—affect present understanding. It shows how historical narratives are experienced, shaped and challenged by Australians of white and diverse backgrounds today, with particular attention to the impact of race, gender, class and nation. The project addresses critical issues, like the mass criminalisation of people of colour, by revealing their connection to historical narratives. Understanding colonial legacies in crime and policing enables us to actively combat them.

Sponsor: Professor Anna Clark

Chancellor's Research Fellow 2024

Project: Data-driven Bio-fabricated carbon-negative building skin for passive COOLing (BioCOOL).

Summary: High temperatures and frequent, prolonged heat waves have increased global space cooling demand, thus elevating fossil fuel-based generation and emissions. Furthermore, existing space cooling and passive and adaptive building skin solutions are energy-dependent and have high embodied carbon. BioCOOL aims to develop a biomimetic, bio-fabricated (from agriculture waste), weather-resistant, and carbon-negative building skin with mycelium composites for climate resilience capable of passive evaporative cooling through interdisciplinary research and innovation in building skin, bio-based material development, and large-scale prototyping. This project should benefit climate change resilience and the goals of achieving net zero by reducing active energy demand and embodied carbon in the building sector and fulfilling SDGs 7, 11, 12, and 13.

Sponsor: Associate Professor Dr Nimish Biloria

Chancellor's Research Fellow 2024

Project: Conquering concentration quenching for efficient absorption of lanthanide nanocrystals.

Summary: To study cells and diseases at the molecular level, biological researchers require luminescent probes that are bright enough to achieve single-molecule sensitivity in living cells. This project aims to create superbright nanoprobes, with high brightness and low background noise. It will lead to a series of new-generation molecular probes and provide significant benefits in biomedical imaging, ultra-sensitive assays, and optoelectronic devices.

Sponsor: Professor Philip Gale

Chancellor's Research Fellow 2024

Project: 3D-bioprinted microtissues as living building blocks to regenerate cartilage (PrintCARTILAGE).

Summary: This fellowship project aims to establish a transformative tissue engineering approach. It involves spatially patterning engineered microtissues into predefined positions in 3D space using 3D-bioprinting to derive larger tissues and organ precursors (PrintCARTILAGE). PrintCARTILAGE will be the world's first to fabricate bespoke, clinically relevant tissues at scale, focusing on zonally defined cartilage grafts. The project's expected outcomes will advance knowledge and foster translational partnerships with clinicians and hospitals. Successful implementation of PrintCARTILAGE will have a profound impact, enabling cartilage regeneration for therapeutic outcomes.

Sponsor: Professor Joanne Tipper

Chancellor's Research Fellow 2024

Project: A novel biotechnology for eliminating harmful wastewater-induced emissions from sewers.

Summary: Wastewater-induced sewer gaseous emissions lead to severe concrete corrosion issues, resulting in millions of dollars of damage in Australia alone, along with odour and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This project aims to develop an innovative technology with underpinning science to eliminate harmful wastewater-induced gaseous emissions in sewers. The expected outcome will support Australia in achieving resilient and sustainable urban infrastructure with extended service life, reduced maintenance costs, and minimized odour and GHG emissions. This project promises significant economic, environmental, and social benefits for water utilities and the public.

Sponsor: Professor Qilin Wang

Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Indigenous Research Fellows 2022

	Treena Clark Faculty of Design, Building and Architecture   Project: Ad (dressing) Indigeneity: cultural identity, healing, and social change through clothing, fashion, and style Supervisor: Professor Peter McNeil
	Paul Gray Jumbunna Institute of Education and Research Project: Reimagining child protection systems and practice for First Nations children and families Supervisor: Professor Larissa Behrendt

2022 Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellows

	Yougwoo Choo Faculty of Engineering and IT   Project: Next-generation membrane: Highly selective rare-earth element recovery from mining wastewater Supervisor: Dr Gayathri Naidu
	Mariana de Souza e Sousa Faculty of Health   Project: Building multidisciplinary capacity to deliver quality cancer cachexia care Supervisor: Professor David Currow
	Yuhan Huang Faculty of Engineering and IT   Project: Improving urban air quality by reducing street canyon effect on pollution dispersion Supervisor: Professor John Zhou
	Michael Kendig Faculty of Science   Project: Characterising the effects of unhealthy diets on the brain, behaviour, and gut microbiota Supervisor: Dr Laura Bradfield
	Mehran Kianinia Faculty of Science   Project: Quantum memory with two dimensional materials Supervisor: Professor Igor Aharonovich
	Yan Liao Faculty of Science Project: Divide and conquer: deciphering cell division in ancestral organisms and its implications in biology Supervisor: A/Professor Iain Duggin
	Laurence Don Wai Luu Faculty of Science Project: Elucidating chlamydia host-pathogen interactions through systems biology and a new organoid model Supervisor: A/Professor Willa Huston
	Asif Mahmood Faculty of Science Project: Develop high-energy sodium-metal batteries for renewable energy storage Supervisor: Professor Guoxiu Wang
	Jennifer Matthews Faculty of Science Project: Good Fats of the Reef: Unlocking the Role of Lipids in Coral Resilience Supervisor: Professor David Suggett
	Luong Nguyen Faculty of Engineering and IT Project: High rate CO2 capture and wastewater treatment by a novel microalgal photobioreactor Supervisor: Professor Long Nghiem
	Julia Scott-Stevenson Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Project: Envisaging and enacting just climate futures through immersive media Supervisor: Professor James Goodman

2021 Chancellor's Postdoctoral Indigenous Research Fellow

Jonathan Jones (Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education  and Research) Project: Walanmarra Wiradjuri ngiyangbu mayinybu (Strengthening Wiradjuri language and people) Supervisor: Professor Daryle Rigney

2021 Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellows

	Andrew Care (Faculty of Science) Project: "Unlocking the Cage": Engineering protein nanocages for next-generation nanoparticle-based therapies. Supervisor: Stella Valenzuela
	Brigitte Sommer (Faculty of Science) Project: Should I stay or should I go? Predicting ecological shifts in the subtropics. Supervisor: Professor David Booth
	Amir Razmjou (Faculty of Engineering and IT) Project: Design and development of novel lithium-ion selective nanostructured membrane for lithium recovery. Supervisor: Professor Hokyong Shon
	Alexandria Grey (Faculty of Law) Project: New legal directions in Australian government support for Aboriginal language renewal. Supervisor: Ana Vrdoljak
	Elliot Scanes (Faculty of Science) Project: Are microbiomes the key to unlocking oyster disease in a rapidly changing climate? Supervisor: Professor Justin Seymour

Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Indigenous Research Fellow 2020 

Tui Nolan (Faculty of Science) Project: Sampling methods in machine learning algorithms for statistical inference in big data models Supervisor: Distinguished Professor Matt Wand

Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellows 2020 

	Paul Byron (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) Project: LGBTIQ+ young people, mental health and digital peer support Supervisor: Dr James Meese
	Jaesung (Peter) Choi (Faculty of Science) Project: Sex hormone and microbiome regulation of inflammation in cardiovascular disease and stroke Supervisor: Professor Philip Hansbro
	Emma Letizia Jones (Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building) Project: Built by the book: The global impact of the trade catalogue in nineteenth century Australia Supervisor: Professor Charles Rice
	Nathan Kettlewell (UTS Business School) Project: Risk attitudes and economic wellbeing  Supervisor: Professor Lionel Page
	Stephen Northey (Institute for Sustainable Futures) Project: Battery industries and sustainable development: transforming metal supply chains  Supervisor: Professor Damien Guirco
	Dong Han (Michael) Seo (Faculty of Engineering and IT) Project: Next generation, advanced material based membrane for battery driven, portable water desalination Supervisor: Professor Hokyong Shon
	Bill Söderström (Faculty of Science) Project: Advanced technology development: an out-of-the-box approach to fight against antimicrobial resistance Supervisor: Professor Liz Harry
	Cait Storr (Faculty of Law) Project: Regulating 'new' mining in the international seabed and space Supervisor: Professor Shaunnagh Dorsett
	Javad Tavakoli (Faculty of Engineering and IT) Project: Novel engineering solutions to cure back pain: Engineering a novel 3D tissue for disc regeneration  Supervisor: Professor Joanne Tipper
	Qiaoyun Xie (Faculty of Science) Project: Forecasting pollen in the scenario of climate change to mitigate health threats Supervisor: Distinguished Professor Alfredo Huete

Videos

Four of our Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellows offer insights into their research:

• Arian Wallach, Centre for Compassionate Conservation, Faculty of Science
• Tim Foster, Institute for Sustainable Futures
• Romy Lauche, Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM)
• Jean Baptiste-Raina, Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science

Congratulations to the 2019 Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellows (CPDRF):

Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Indigenous Research Fellow 2019

Katrina Thorpe  (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) Project: Learning from Country’ in Teacher Education in Australia and Canada Supervised by Professor Michelle Trudgett

Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellows 2019

	Chelsea Barnett (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) Project: Toxic Masculinity, or Just Misunderstood? A History of Single Men in Australia, 1945—2018 Supervised by Associate Professor Anna Clark
	Emma Camp (Faculty of Science) Project: Extremes Down Under: Diagnosing coral resilience to future reef climates Supervised by Associate Professor David Suggett
	Juan Pablo Dehollain (Faculty of Science) Project: Optimising near-term quantum simulators with superconducting circuits by adding a touch of chaos Supervised by Dr Nathan Langford
	Evelyne Deplazes (Faculty of Science) Project: Cell membrane-disrupting peptides to combat multi-drug resistance in cancer and infections Supervised by Dr Charles Cranfield
	Sejeong Kim (Faculty of Science) Project: Next-generation nanophotonics: Engineering light-matter interactions in two dimensions Supervised by Professor Igor Aharonovich
	Wei Lin (Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology) Project: Integrated Wireless Power Transfer and Communication Systems for Emerging IoT/IoE Applications Supervised by Professor Richard Ziolkowski
	Laura Smith-Khan (Faculty of Law) Project: Communicating migration law and procedures across cultures Supervised by Dr Trish Luker
	Trong Toan Tran (Faculty of Science) Project: Scalable telecom cybersecurity architecture Supervised by Dr Alexander Solntsev
	Fan Wang (Faculty of Science) Project: Developing new tools for super-resolution tracking cells’ talk within a mini organ Supervised by Distinguished Professor Dayong Jin