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Dr Kobe's research interests are in protein structure and function, focussing particularly on proteins involved in the processes of infection and immunity.

The primary techniques used in the laboratory are X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, combined with a plethora of other molecular biology, biophysical and computational techniques.

Current projects include:

• Structural basis of signalling by cooperative assembly formation (SCAF) in innate immunity and cell-death pathways, in particular Toll-like receptors and interleukin-1 receptors
• Structural basis of plant disease resistance - particularly plant NLRs and the corresponding pathogen effector proteins
• Molecular and structural basis of function of proteins from pathogens (fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens)

Sebastian is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) at the University of Queensland, where he is part of a research group investigating mental health, substance use disorders, and related social and health challenges. His background is in survey methodology and statistics, and he has contributed to methodological, social, higher education, and well-being and quality of life research. Following his PhD at the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods (The Australian National University), and before joining ISSR, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher in the measurement of social and economic change at the Institute for Social Change (University of Tasmania) and held a position as a Research Fellow (Survey Methodology) at the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (University College London). Sebastian previously held data-related roles both in academia and the public sector in Australia, and he has also worked as a consultant specializing in research methodology and data analytics.

Kathryn began her academic career five years ago as a research analyst at the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM), recently completing her PhD on company-community relations in the mining sector. Her thesis explores the emergence, escalation, and resolution of mining-related community-level issues within the operational grievance landscape, providing new insights into the visibility and management of mining-related issues, particularly through public processes of inquiry.

She holds a Master of Development Practice from the University of Queensland, where she focused on the social, environmental, and political dynamics of communities impacted by international development projects, as well as an undergraduate degree in Economics.

As a dedicated researcher in socially responsible mining practises, Kathryn has achieved key milestones during her PhD candidacy, including a publication in the Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law (JERL), first place award at an international conference for her research methodologies, and presentations as an invited speaker at the International Sociological Association as well as the Cadia Community Sustainability Network in Orange, NSW.

In the second year of her PhD, Kathryn established the HDR Exchange Network. This student-led initiative offers a supportive space for social science-focused students to share and collaborate throughout their candidature. Through this initiative, Kathryn has organised and facilitated two field visits, enabling students to engage with community organisations and industry stakeholders, thereby gaining practical experience in the current Australian mining context.

Kathryn has project experience developing and analysing large global datasets and case studies across the mining life cycle to understand how company and community approaches to the grievance landscape are shifting in response to geopolitical, social, and regulatory challenges.

Now a postdoctoral researcher, Kathryn aims to publish her thesis findings, further develop her expertise in the context of the energy transition and engage in projects that strengthen her professional development as an early-career researcher passionate about sustainable and responsible practices and relationships through international projects and research collaboration.

Disrupting the status quo and closing the circular bioeconomy

Dr Jitka Kochanek is the founder and leader of the Plant Performance Laboratory at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. At the interface of biology and materials science, she utilises bioengineering to disrupt the status quo within the global bioeconomy. Specifically, her pioneering research aims to supersede dated industry practices with new, highly efficient products and to replace outdated materials (unsustainable, damaging etc) with cutting-edge biomaterials that close the circular economy.

Her latest scientific achievement has been the discovery of a new material that is a ‘technology platform’ upon which multiple technologies are being developed through tailoring of parent materials, such as for biomedical and food packaging applications, as well as for agriculture and environmental rehabilitation. In 2021 she gained private industry funding from a prominent Australian SME for translation and commercialisation is expected over a 2–5-year timeframe. Since parent materials are plant-based, the platform promises a closed circular economy.

In the agri-environmental space, Dr Kochanek’s vision is sustainable real-time plant regulation, using novel biomaterials and technologies. The most commercially advanced product promises to be a disruptive tool for better future-proofing agriculture and wild plant ecosystem restoration, having successfully delivered emerging growth regulators that assist plants to cope with climate-related stressors, such as heatwaves and drought. Additionally, classic chemistries have been delivered to plants at 100-10,000-fold lower dosages than current commercial practices, thus generating social licence and slashing chemical costs.

Dr Kochanek has collaborated with some of the world’s top organisations and researchers, such as conservation ecologists at Kew Gardens in the UK, natural product chemists via the Flematti Group at the University of Western Australia and materials scientists within the Rowan Group at the University of Queensland. She has had the pleasure of supervising/mentoring >30 research students and 2 postdoctoral researchers.

Other notable career achievements

Since 2010 Dr Kochanek has been principal chief investigator across 8 industry and government projects worth >$2.3M (Federal/Horticulture Innovation Australia, Local/Brisbane City Council, State/Qld Government and private industry projects), a research consultant for the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR, developing sustainable and cost-effective crop sanitation technologies in Papua New Guinea) and won the CSIRO ON-Prime accelerator program in 2019 for her visionary agri-technologies. Other notable achievements are that Dr Kochanek became a stand-alone researcher at <2 years post-PhD, after securing funding as principal CI ($302K, 2010); has developed a novel systematic framework to close the circular economy for waste recycling technologies; was among the first to confirm empirical evidence for epigenetics in plants or animals; and has developed a bioassay to rapidly ascertain plant responses for growth promoting/harming compounds. The bioassay provides the ability to predict chemical dosages for plants within 1 week.

Wei Qi Koh is a Lecturer in Occupational Therapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Since graduating as an occupational therapist, she has worked in acute and community health and social care settings primarily with older adults. She was awarded with a Marie-Sklodowska Curie Fellowship from 2019-2022 as part of the EU funded DISTINCT (Dementia: Intersectorial Strategy for Training and Innovation Network for Current Technology), where she worked with an international consortium of multidisciplinary dementia researchers and industry partners conducting research on various technology for (and with) people living with dementia. She was awarded her PhD in 2023, which was focused on evaluating the impacts of low-cost pet robots and developing strategies to support the implementation of pet robots in aged care for people living with dementia. Her research interests are in the care of people with dementia, older adults, implementation science, health promotion and evidence synthesis. She is also passionate about open science practices.

Professor Anna Koltunow has a formidable record of accomplishment in plant reproduction research and translating that research into gains in agricultural sectors.

Her research focus is on the molecular and genetic mechanisms that regulate development of plant reproductive cell types and, therefore, seed and fruit formation. Accomplishments include developing seedless fruit, a sought-after commodity in the horticultural sector.

She was selected by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to head an international collaborative research venture between six research organisations and a multinational seed company to develop technologies so smallholder African farmers could economically save seed from cowpea and sorghum hybrids. Professor Koltunow led the first five-year phase of this project, called Capturing Heterosis, while at CSIRO. This project finished in July 2019. The second phase, also funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – Hy-Gain for smallholders – commenced in March 2020, at The University of Queensland.

The Hy-Gain project is a multi-party international research project comprising seven world leading teams aiming to develop a novel technology to increase seed yield and productivity in sorghum and cowpea crops for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. This exciting 5-year project, is led by Professor Koltunow in QAAFI’s Centre for Crop Science. Hy-Gain aims to ensure the technology is compatible with plant breeding to support the future, rapid delivery of new high yielding sorghum and cowpea hybrids and improved varieties. The project has some fundamental discovery work, however its key aim is building and testing the utility of the technology in plants. The research objectives span molecular work in the laboratory to field work involving genetic, genomic and transgenic technologies and testing reproductive productivity of sorghum and cowpea plants in glasshouse and in the field.

Together, the Hy-Gain project team is developing new ways to breed sorghum and cowpea varieties that make it possible to achieve large gains in yields, while increasing resilience to diseases and environmental stress.

Professor Koltunow’s collaborations have had an international focus and she has consistently obtained external research funding from several sources (ARC, Australian rural development corporations, and bilateral funding involving CSIRO and India, China, Japan and Brazil and philanthropic funds). She has participated in EU consortia, trained international researchers and national and international students in plant reproduction research in partnership with national and international University collaborators. She has Professorial Affiliations with the University of Adelaide, La Trobe University and works with Huazhong Agricultural University in China.

Whilst maintaining an international profile in plant reproduction research, Professor Koltunow has also held senior leadership roles at CSIRO (including Program leader and Deputy Chief). She served on the Premier’s science council in South Australia, ARC College of Experts, as President and Past President of the International Association of Plant Reproduction Research and on various scientific boards including a CRC and two New Zealand Crown Research Institutes. She has been involved in the organization of 9 international conferences, works on advisory panels, editorial boards. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.

Biography: Dr Muxina Konarova is an Associate Professor in the UQ School of Chemical Engineering. She gained her PhD in Chemical Engineering at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. Dr Konarova has led multiple academia/industry projects, securing >$15M as lead CI and her team partnered with five large organisations under her Advance Qld Research (Early) and Mid-Career Fellowships, ARENA-UQ, ARC-Linkage, ARC-Hubs and Innovation Connections.

Research: Dr Konarova’s research team focuses on the development of sustainable chemical processes and is directed to address climate change, waste utilisation and provide technical solutions for a circular economy. Current chemical industries are heavily reliant on fossil-fuel feedstock and significant advances in process engineering will be required to enable a carbon-neutral chemical industry. To accelerate the transition to circularity, fossil-fuel based industries are now seeking to introduce waste products and renewables as their feedstock. However, selective catalysts and suitable reactor designs are largely unknown for these new types of feedstock (biomass, plastic waste and CO2). This lack of knowledge has prevented both commercialisation of new chemical processes and the utilisation of sustainable resources. Dr Konarova’s research program focuses on the (1) design of selective, stable and active solid catalysts; (2) integration of solid catalysts into a reactor environment where an optimum mass and heat transfer can occur. Her team uses a range of advanced spectroscopic tools to analyse reaction products, elucidate underlying reaction mechanisms and control product selectivity. The overall research aim is to identify new generations of catalysts and reactors designs and address fundamental challenges associated with catalytic conversion and contribute to the development of sustainable chemical industry.

Teaching and Learning Contributions:

Dr. Konarova is a dedicated educator at the School of Chemical Engineering, where she plays a key role in the Master of Sustainable Energy (MSE) program. She coordinates and lectures the course Energy Transitions in Industrial Processes (ENGY7003), imparting critical knowledge on sustainable practices within industrial settings. Since 2021, Dr. Konarova has also been actively involved in coordinating and teaching Process Modelling and Control (CHEE3007), a core course in the undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum at UQ. Through these roles, she integrates her expertise in energy and process engineering to provide students with a robust understanding of modern industrial processes and control systems.

Associate Professor Srinivas Kondalsamy Chennakesavan is Head of Research at The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School and an internationally recognised researcher in rural health, Indigenous health, public health, epidemiology and health services research. With a background in medicine and public health, his research focuses on improving health outcomes for rural, remote and underserved populations through innovative, community-centred and translational research.

His work addresses major health challenges affecting rural and remote communities, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with a focus on chronic disease prevention and management, health service innovation, population health surveillance, digital health, workforce development, healthy ageing and implementation science. He is widely recognised for developing practical models of care that translate research evidence into measurable improvements in health outcomes, service delivery and policy.

Associate Professor Chennakesavan has secured more than A$11.3 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) funding, and over A$12 million in total competitive research income from national and international funding agencies. He has served as Chief Investigator, Associate Investigator and collaborator on major research programs spanning chronic disease prevention, Indigenous health, cardiovascular disease, digital health, healthy ageing, frailty and rural health service redesign. His research has directly informed policy, clinical practice and health service planning across Australia.

A defining feature of his work is the development and evaluation of community-based screening, surveillance and chronic disease management programs for Indigenous and other underserved populations living in rural and remote settings. These models have improved the early detection and management of chronic disease while strengthening local healthcare capacity. Through international collaborations, elements of this work have been adapted and implemented in resource-constrained settings in South Africa and India.

His interdisciplinary approach combines clinical medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, health informatics and digital technologies to address complex healthcare challenges. He has expertise in designing technology-enabled models of care that improve access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term disease management for geographically dispersed populations.

Associate Professor Chennakesavan's research has achieved significant international impact. His publications have been cited extensively by leading organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, reflecting the global relevance of his work in primary healthcare, chronic disease management, rural health and health system strengthening.

He is committed to collaborative and community-engaged research and works closely with health services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, governments, clinicians, consumers and academic partners. His work has contributed to the development of sustainable, culturally safe and evidence-based models of care that advance health equity and improve healthcare access.

Associate Professor Chennakesavan is a globally recognised rural health researcher and thought leader whose work has influenced research, policy, and healthcare delivery both nationally and internationally. As a Council Member of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Rural Health Working Party, he contributes to shaping the global rural health agenda, advancing strategies to strengthen healthcare access, workforce capacity, and research impact across underserved populations. He also serves as Chair of the Queensland Rural Health Innovation and Research Collaborative (QRHIRC), leading one of Australia's largest rural health research networks and bringing together universities, health services, policymakers, and communities to drive innovation, build research capacity, and translate evidence into meaningful improvements in rural and remote healthcare outcomes.

An experienced mentor and supervisor, Associate Professor Chennakesavan has supported the development of numerous higher degree research candidates, medical students, clinicians and early-career researchers. He regularly serves on NHMRC, MRFF and international peer-review panels, contributing to the assessment of major competitive funding schemes and helping shape future directions in health and medical research.

I am a researcher specializing in plant biotechnology and plant physiology. My work focuses on advancing the clonal propagation of coconuts and other high-value species through innovative in vitro methods, aimed at enhancing sustainability and productivity in agriculture. My current focus is to understand industry focused research question on blueberry root wrapping and associated crown disorder.

Current Focus:

• Clonal propagation of four high-value plant species (turmeric, saffron, lemon myrtle, gladiolus)
• Determine the bioactivity of two Australian native plants
• Investigating blueberry root wrapping and associated crown disorders

Areas of Expertise:

• Plant biotechnology
• In vitro culture methods
• Coconut biology and in vitro propagation
• Crop phenotyping and physiology

My research plays a vital role in improving agricultural practices, contributing to food security and sustainability. My work is particularly relevant to those interested in plant science, sustainable agriculture, and the physiology of high-value crops.

Dr. Kontogiorgos has received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Food Science from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece). A full scholarship was then awarded from the Greek State Scholarships Foundation (I.K.Y) for Ph.D. studies in Food Science at the University of Guelph (Canada). After his Ph.D. degree, he worked as an NSERC research fellow at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Canada). Following that post, he worked as academic at the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Huddersfield (UK) before joining the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland. Dr. Kontogiorgos research interests are focused in the area of polysaccharide characterisation and physical chemistry of food macromolecules, gels, and colloidal systems. Currently, he is working on the physical, chemical and technological properties of soluble and insoluble fibres extracted from agricultural wastes. Dr Kontogiorgos is Associate Editor of Food Hydrocolloids and Associate Editor of Food Biophysics.

Dr Kevin M. Koo is currently a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Fellow and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) Future Leader Fellow at The University of Queensland (UQ). Dr Koo was awarded his PhD (Dean’s Award for Outstanding Thesis & Springer Thesis Prize) from the Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology (AIBN), UQ in 2018.

Post-PhD, he begun a productive postdoctoral career with dual industry/academia appointments: as the Head of Assay Development/Lab Director in XING Technologies Pty Ltd (a Brisbane-based biotech start-up) to undertake product development projects for commercialization of disease in vitro diagnostics, and as an Honorary Fellow/Principal Research Scientist at UQ Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR) to continue his academic research in precision cancer nanodiagnostics. His research skills and experiences are honed through dedicated career time spent in both academic research and regulated industry environments.

Dr Koo's research encompasses multi-disciplinary fields of molecular biomarker and nanobiosensor development, translation, and commercialization for precision disease management applications. Presently, he is working on the design and development of integrated multi-bioanalyte sensing technologies to resolve the various challenges around holistic disease pathway understanding and clinical biomarker profiling.

Dr Koo's research endeavours have been recognized by a Metrohm Australia-New Zealand Young Chemist Award (2018), Australian Institute of Policy & Science (AIPS) Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2023) and UQ Faculty of Medicine "Rising Star of the Year" Excellence Award (2024).

Teaching

UQ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (SCMB)

BIOT7018 Biologics: Course Coordinator 2025-Present

BIOC7001 Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory: Guest Lecturer 2024-Present

BIOC6001 Introduction to Molecular Biology Laboratory: Guest Lecturer 2024

Isaac koomson is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Business and Economics of Health (CBEH). He also serves in an adjunct role as a Faculty Director with the Center for Social Development at the Brown School in the Washington University in St. Louis, United States. He is a guest lecturer in Quantitative Research Methods in the University of North Carolina and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the United States.

He holds a PhD degree in Economics (Applied Econometrics) from the University of New England, Australia; Master of Philosophy degree in Economics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana; and a BSc (Hons) degree in Economics (Social Sciences) from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Apart from research, he has more than 10 years of teaching experience at the University of New England, Australia, the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana.

Dr Koomson’s current research is in the areas of health and development economics and cuts across topics such as child health (i.e., malnutrition), healthcare utilisation, out-of-pocket health expenditure, mental health, disease outbreak resilience, poverty, vulnerability, food insecurity, and energy poverty. He has worked on projects as a consultant to organisations such as the World Bank, the United Nations, and other policy-oriented research institutes.

His experience in producing translational research outputs. He was part of a three-member research team on the UNE/BUPA Health System Project which assessed students' access to the Australian Health System. He also led a team of researchers from the United States to introduce a novel multidimensional disease outbreak resilience index (DORI).