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Ashok is a Professor of Energy Storage at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, and an Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland (UQ). As a nanomaterial (carbon) and energy expert, he previously served as the Chief Scientific Officer at a listed company specialising in graphene production and applications. Ashok has received prestigious fellowships, including Marie-Curie, JSPS-Japan, and UQ Fellowship, and has secured several million AUD in funding for his research.

He has authored over 100 published papers and holds seven filed patents in the fields of nanomaterials and energy. His work has been featured in esteemed journals such as Chemical Review, ACS Nano, Advanced Energy Materials, Energy & Environmental Science, Nature Protocols, and Chemical Communications. Ashok is also dedicated to mentoring young researchers and students to advance the frontiers of materials science and energy storage.

Dr. Bushra Nasir is the lead researcher on multiple large-scale, national studies, and a mid-career researcher with a substantial career trajectory in health research. Her expertise and instrumental involvement in multiple large-scale grants are demonstrated through numerous top-tier publications, media and news citations, and recognition in national and international policy documents. She has contributed to developing several global health policy recommendation publications, including a World Health Organisation review investigating the retention of the health workforce in rural and remote areas. Her contribution to this discipline is further substantiated by her peer-review activities and international and national collaborations with wide outreach and engagement initiatives.

Her collaborative networking qualities contribute to numerous roles in various research committees, including as a previous Chair of the Faculty of Medicine Early Career Researcher Committee. Her work has also resulted in increased research capacity building in regional and rural South East Queensland, supporting clinicians, medical students and educators, and other healthcare service providers conducting clinical and epidemiological research projects. She is also a research mentor and member of several national organisations. Her ongoing leadership, management, networking, and knowledge expertise contribute to the progress of research practices with academics, experts, and clinical scientists.

Dr. Nasrallah is a neuroscientist with a background in magnetic resonance and interdisciplinary brain research. She graduated with a PhD in neurochemistry and NMR from the Neuroscience Research Australia Institute (NeurRA) at the University of New South Wales in 2009. In April 2009, She spent 3 years at the Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (A*STAR) where she pioneered the use of magnetic resonance imaging as a tool in cognitive brain research in the rodent. In 2013, she was appointed as senior research fellow at the Clinical Imaging Research Center where she delved into the clinical realms of human imaging. In late 2015, she returned to Australia as a Motor Accident and Injury Commission fellow at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at the University of Queensland (UQ) where she independently heads her own group. Her research spans basic and clinical brain research with the the overall aim of understanding how the brain functions in health and injury, specifically, developing methods for early diagnosis of primary biomarkers following injury and translating these findings.

Joseph's (Joe) research focuses on the characterisation and commercialisation of Australian native plants, particularly for applications in food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and material science. He is especially interested in the bioactive properties of polyphenols and other phytochemicals/secondary metabolites found in traditionally used species, and how these compounds can be validated and applied in modern health, wellbeing, and biomaterial applications.

An expert in food metabolomics, Joseph employs advanced metabolomics platforms, particularly liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ToF-MS/MS), to comprehensively profile the complex chemical makeup of native plant species. He uses multivariate data analysis and chemometric modelling to correlate bioactivity and functional outcomes with specific compound profiles. This integrative approach allows for the identification of key bioactive markers and supports the development of high-value products derived from native flora, grounded in both traditional knowledge and cutting-edge analytical science.

Alongside his academic work, Joseph has collaborated with a range of industry partners across Australia and internationally, including companies in the cosmetics, personal care, and health and wellness sectors. His experience spans product development, extract standardisation, and the translation of scientific data into evidence-based formulation and design strategies. This applied perspective supports his ability to link laboratory findings with commercial and environmental relevance. His work contributes to safety assessments, quality assurance, and the development of ethical, traceable supply chains. He is particularly committed to ensuring that Traditional Knowledge is recognised, protected, and appropriately integrated into industry frameworks.

Active Projects:

• A Deadly Solution: Towards an Indigenous-led Bush Food Industry (Indigenous ARC Discovery)
• Restoring the Identity of Country with Cultural Fire building resilient Agricultural landscapes (Australian Government Climate-Smart Agriculture Program)
• Nutritional profiling and stability of fruit-based purees and powders of Australian Native Sour Fruits: Impact of processing and storage conditions (BIRRST Partner 2025 Scheme)
• Indigenous Innovation: Developing Jumbun’s Muyginy Cherry Fruit Products to Diversify Global Supply Chains

Previously Completed Projects:

• Exploration into the optimal storage and processing from the point of harvest through the whole supply chain of whole and extracted pearls of Australian native finger limes (UQ’s Agri-Food Innovation Alliance (AFIA) Industry Kickstarter Grant program)
• Identifying the desirable flavour, aroma, and sensory profiles of novel Australian native lime hybrids (UQ’s Agri-Food Innovation Alliance (AFIA) Industry Kickstarter Grant program)
• Explore and Validate the Therapeutic Benefits of Australian Aged Black Garlic (UQ’s Agri-Food Innovation Alliance (AFIA) Industry Kickstarter Grant program)

Dr. Marina Naval-Sanchez is a NHMRC Research Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at The University of Queensland (Australia). She pursued postdoctoral studies in 2019-2024 in the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland (Australia) and as an Office Chief Executive (OCE) Fellow in 2015-2019 at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (Australia). She received her PhD in Molecular Biosciences in 2014 from KULeuven (Belgium). She received her MSc in Applied Bioinformatics in 2009 from Cranfield University (UK) and MSc in Agriculture Engineering in 2008 from the Universitat de Lleida (Spain).

Marina’s research program applies state-of-the-art bioinformatic, machine learning, and genetic and genomic tools to unearth the master regulators and enhancer grammar governing development and ageing across species (mouse and human) and to decipher the genomic (regulatory) impact of evolution, domestication and human selection in farm species (sheep, cattle, salmon). Her research outcomes have been published in high-impact journals such as Cell Metabolism, Nature Communications, Genome Biology, Nucleic Acids Research, Genome Research and Molecular Biology and Evolution.

Her research efforts have been supported by domestic and international fellowships and grants, including the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC, EL1 2024 Recipient), Advance Queensland, UQ Innovation Connections, CSIRO Scientific Investment Projects, CSIRO OCE Fellowships, and Flanders Wetesnchappelijk Onderzoek (FWO) PhD Fellowship.

I am a veterinarian and animal nutrition scientist focused on improving the health, welfare, and performance of pigs and poultry through nutrition and physiology. My research integrates sensory biology, digestive function, and early-life programming to develop practical, evidence-based solutions for modern livestock systems.

My work sits at the interface of monogastric nutrition, feed intake regulation, the gut–brain axis, and animal welfare in intensive production. I combine mechanistic research with strong industry engagement to ensure outcomes are relevant, scalable, and applicable on farm. Current projects focus on early-life nutritional strategies, functional feed additives, and the use of advanced analytical tools, including spectroscopy and multi-omics, to better understand animal responses to diet and environment.

At The University of Queensland (QAAFI), I lead and contribute to multidisciplinary, industry-linked research programs and supervise HDR students and early-career researchers. My goal is to generate robust scientific evidence that supports more sustainable, efficient, and welfare-focused animal production systems while strengthening the translation of research into practice.

Kylie (Anderson) Navuku is a teaching-practice focused academic, teaching primarily in Communication (undergraduate and postgraduate) and Journalism (undergraduate). Her teaching schedule in 2026 includes: Public Interest Communication; Communication Theory; Communication Management and Leadership; and Intercultural Communication.

Kylie's teaching is both research and practice informed. Her research interest is at the intersection of communication (including media/journalism) and politics. Most recently her work has focused on climate change and international ocean journalism. As a communication practitioner, Kylie has worked with non-government, government, and inter-governmental stakeholders contributing to campaigns/ initiatives with the purpose of raising awareness and furthering public education on various themes (including conservation, climate change, and civic education). A current area of exploration is the challenges for island-based artists engaged in environmental communication. Since 2024 Kylie has been engaged in a collaborative project investigating ways to communicate bioeconomy.

In addition to a PhD from UQ, Kylie has a MA (IntRel)(Res) [Master of Arts (International Relations) by Research] and a BIntSt (Hons) [Bachelor of International Studies (Honours)] from Flinders University.

Other university employment includes the University of the South Pacific (USP) and Flinders University of South Australia. At USP, Kylie was based at Laucala Campus in Fiji but her role also took her to the campuses and centres in Majuro (Marshall Islands), Honiara (Solomon Islands), Nuku'alofa (Tonga), Alafua (Apia, Samoa), and Rarotonga (Cook Islands). At Flinders, Kylie was based at the Bedford Park Campus, while at UQ she is based at St Lucia campus in Queensland.

Dr Naydenova is an emerging early-career researcher in the field of quantum biotechnology with a rare cross-disciplinary expertise in quantum biotechnology and molecular biology. She specialises in single-molecule detection and optical trapping of proteins using biomolecular optomechanics approaches at the University of Queensland’s Quantum Optics Lab led by Prof. Warwick Bowen. She is interested in fundamental research questions such as the relationship between function-dynamics-structure in proteins, as well as applications of biomolecular optomechanics for sensing in sport (e.g. anti-doping) and in biosecurity contexts (e.g. plant pathogens).

Dr Naydenova holds a PhD in Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry by the Medical University-Sofia, Bulgaria, where her research focused on plant biotechnology, epigenetics and plant-derived chiral metabolites with anti-cancer properties. Chiral metabolites have a property called chirality, also known as handedness, that underpins many interactions between molecules, including drugs binding to molecular targets such as proteins and enzymes to modulate activity. Her work was recognised with the Medical University – Sofia’s Award for best research in pharmacy, an annual distinction for outstanding doctoral and early-career researchers.

In 2023, she was awarded a Postdoctoral Research Grant to investigate protein dynamics using molecular optomechanics approaches. She joined Prof. Bowen's lab and successfully transitioned to the field of quantum biotechnology, securing over $1.2M in external research funding from Australian and Queensland Governments in the past two years. Previous experience in industry engagement and program management in Australia's higher education sector further provides a strong foundation for translating cutting-edge science into real-world applications, bridging academic innovation with practical impact.

In addition to her research development, Dr Naydenova is also committed to her leadership development. Through her affiliation with the Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology (QUBIC), she served as the inaugural co-Chair of the centre's EMCR Committee and is an active member of the centre's Outreach and Engagement Portfolio, engaging in STEM outreach to school students.

Dr Naydenova's goal is to harness and continue building skills and expertise to drive impactful cross-disciplinary research that can drive both applied and cutting-edge fundamental research.

Andrew is Professor of Business and Organizational Psychology. Andrew leads a large program of applied research into human performance and safety in complex environments. This program has received more than $10 million in funding from the ARC, Federal and State Governments, and industry. A key focus of this program has been on end user impact, with the ultimate goal of improving the safety and effectiveness of critical national infrastructure.

Andrew's major scientific contributions have been in two areas:

1. Performance, safety and effectiveness of people at work. He has published a series of influential papers on safety climate and work role performance. For example, the paper by Griffin, Neal and Parker (2007), which has been highly cited, reports the development of a theory of work role performance that explains how different forms of behaviour, such as adaptivity and proactivity, contribute to the effectiveness of individuals, as well as the teams and organizations that they work in.
2. Workload, decision making, and self-regulation. Andrew's research has improved our understanding of how people manage task demands in complex systems, such as air traffic control and emergency response. These environments require people to make decisions under time pressure, and often require tradeoffs to be made amongst competing goals (eg safety vs productivity). He has developed computational models to simulate the way that people make decisions in these environment, and how they manage their workload. His research has clarified the mechanisms by which people make choices amongst competing goals, and regulate the amount of effort they apply.