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I am a natural resource economist with a research focus on the design and evaluation of resource and environmental policy and practice to facilitate global action to conserve biodiversity, mitigate climate risk and address United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This requires quantification of the complex and sometimes perverse domestic and international carbon, biodiversity and socio-economic trade-offs (including leakages) that can be associated with well-intentioned policy.

My research is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative with colleagues at UQ and elsewhere in academia, government and industry, including ecologists, agricultural scientists, engineers and social scientists. The research methods I employ include stratified and replicated field experiments, cost-benefit analysis, lifecycle analysis of carbon, mathematical programming, simulation and applied environmental economics including non-market valuation.

Specific contexts in which I have evaluated the socio-economic, carbon and biodiversity conservation performance of management and policy include:

• Australian Indigenous agribusiness;
• Forest and wood product value chains in Australia, the United States, Fiji and the Philippines;
• Silvopastoral system value chains in Australia and Fiji;
• Wildfire risk mitigation in Australia and the United States;
• Invasive species management in Australia and the United States; and
• Biomass energy in the United States.

I obtained my first degree in Psychology (Experimental & Theoretical) from Ghent University in Belgium and completed a Ph.D. in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Groningen. Following a postdoc at NeuRa in Sydney and a few years lecturing on psychology at the Australian Catholic University, I chose to shift my research focus to environmental issues, and how they affect individual and collective human health and wellbeing. I gained experience with grassroots commmunity conservation projects as a volunteer and completed the interdisciplinary MSc in Conservation Science at Imperial College London in 2016. I was a researcher at Imperial's Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College from 2017-2021. My research is now broadly focused on the human dimensions of environmental change, with a particular interest in how people (emotionally) connect with nature, determinants of pro-environmental behaviour, the health and wellbeing benefits of nature exposure and the mental health impacts of climate change.

Doctor Anthony Verderosa is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) at the University of Queensland (UQ). Verderosa is the head researcher of a team dedicated to the design, synthesis, and microbiological evaluation of antibiotic conjugates. Their project involves synthetically linking different antibiotics and/or antibiotic adjuvants to generate novel dual-acting antimicrobial conjugates to treat resistant bacterial infections. Verderosa is an early career researcher (ECR) with expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, molecular bacteriology, antimicrobial testing, drug development, and biofilm remediation. His PhD (2020) involved transdisciplinary work (chemistry/microbiology) that focused on discovering and developing nitroxide-functionalised antibiotics - new drugs for treating and eradicating microbial biofilms. After submitting his PhD, Verderosa accepted a Postdoctoral Research position in molecular bacteriology and bacterial pathogenesis, where he developed new methods and strategies for tackling antimicrobial resistance.

Dr Verdi's research is in the field of computational materials physics. Her work employs first-principles or ab initio methods, complemented by machine learning techniques, to predict and understand physical properties of materials without relying on empirical models. For more information, visit the research group website.

She received her doctorate from the University of Oxford in 2017. After working at the University of Oxford and the University of Vienna, Dr Verdi moved to the University of Sydney in 2023 as an ARC DECRA Fellow. In the same year, she then joined UQ as a Lecturer in Condensed Matter Physics. She is an associate investigator of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Biotechnology (QUBIC).

Her current research focuses on understanding the structural, optical and thermodynamic properties of atomic defects for applications in quantum technologies. She is also interested in studying the influence of atomic vibrations, defects, temperature and disorder on the intrinsic properties of various functional materials that can be exploited for novel technologies. Feel free to reach out to Dr Verdi if you are interested in simulating materials properties from first principles using supercomputers and exploring how this can help develop better materials.

Martie-Louise Verreynne is a Professor in Innovation and Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, at the University of Queensland. Her research in innovation, particularly open innovation, focuses on how small firms leverage capabilities and networks to gain a competitive edge. Martie-Louise is a regular contributor to leading small business, entrepreneurship, strategy, and interdisciplinary journals and serves as Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Small Business Management. Her work is funded by the ARC and other government and industry collaborators. She actively works with policy-makers and industry bodies to influence outcomes for the small firms that are the engine of the Australian and global economy. For this work, she has received both national teaching and university research engagement awards.

Lizette specialises in applying technical knowledge and research outcomes in industrial applications to improve process performance.

Lizette holds a Bachelor of Engineering Honours degree in Control Engineering from the University of Pretoria, South Africa and is a minerals processing engineer with more than 15 years industrial experience that joined the JKMRC in 2019. She has extensive experience in processing of precious group metals (PGM’s), copper and iron ore.

She has been involved in a number of commissiong projects, including ultra-fine grinding circuits with optimisation of the downstream flotation circuits and the commissioning and operation of gravity separation plants for the treatment of low grade iron ore. She has also implemented metallurgical ore characterisation test programs in PGM and iron ore processing.

David graduated from the University of London with a BSc (Hons) in biochemistry (King’s College) and PhD which investigated the role of epidermal growth factor receptors in liver regeneration (Imperial College). Since then he has worked on a variety of projects including; immunoassay development (Ortho Clinical Diagnostics); artificial liver machine development (Imperial College); and p53 mutations in liver cancer (QIMR). He joined the Department of Nephrology at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane in 1999. He is a senior lecturer in The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, a senior member of the UQ Kidney Disease Research Laboratory and manages the Princess Alexandra Hospital Endotoxin Testing Service.

His main research interests are in the area of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, inflammation and also the mechanisms of renal cancer development – particularly the role that cytokines and growth factors play in these processes. Current projects include the role of protease activated receptor-2 in renal scarring, inflammation and cancer, the mechanism of heavy metal toxicity in the kidney and the renoprotective properties of erythropoietin. The Princess Alexandra Hospital Endotoxin Testing Service routinely tests samples from dialysis units throughout Queensland.

I am an NHMRC Leadership Fellow with joint apointments at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and School of Pharmacy, UQ. My research interests lie in the fields of peripheral pain mechanisms, target identification and analgesic drug discovery. I investigate the contribution of ion channels to sensory neuronal physiology using highly subtype-selective toxins isolated from venomous animals with the aim to develop novel analgesics with improved efficacy and tolerability.

I am a Professor Emeritus in Sports Physiotherapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences where I am the Director of the Master of Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy Majors) and co-Director of the Sports Injury Rehabilitation and Prevention for Health Research unit. My research is mainly focussed on non-surgical management of persistent musculoskeletal problems like tendon related pain/disability (tendinopathy) and knee cap pain (patellofemoral pain). I also delve into the underlying mechanisms of these conditions and other common sporting injuries (e.g., ankle sprains) – a leading cause of ankle osteoarthritis.

Since gaining my PhD in 2000, I have been awarded over $30million in competitive research funding as a chief investigator to study these conditions – 5 NHMRC project grants, 2 NHMRC CRE, 2 NHMRC program grants, 2 NHMRC MRFF grants and an ARC Linkage grant. I have also conducted over half a million dollars of commercially sponsored research.

I have authored 2 books, 26 book chapters and over 382 peer reviewed publications (h-index 68). My top tendinopathy papers are cited over 10 times more than average for the field – most are published in the top sports/general medicine and physiotherapy journals . I have 2 highly cited papers – in the top 1% of the academic field of Clinical Medicine 2022. I have presented my work world wide in over 300 workshops, seminars and keynote presentations.

I enjoy my role in mentoring early/mid career academics and supervising researh higher degree students – having supervised 40 PhD and 2 MPhil candidates to completion. In this capacity I lead the physiotherapy research higher degree seminar series where our students engage in presenting their work and hearing from top international researchers on a range of relevant topics. One reason why my work was recently recognised by the school award for research mentoring.

Dr Mark Vickers is an Advanced Trainee in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Queensland Children's Hospital and is an Associate Lecturer at The University of Queensland. He was awarded his Doctor of Medicine qualification from The University of Queensland. He was also awarded a Master of Philosophy in research from Queensland University of Technology, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Queensland and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern Queensland. Dr Mark Vickers has worked at a number of hospitals in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. His current research interests include autism spectrum disorder, functional neurological disorders, psychotic disorders, and eating disorders.

Dr Dianna Vidas is a multidisciplinary researcher with experience collaborating across psychology, audiology, music, human-computer interaction, and ageing. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, Dr Vidas explores innovative approaches to supporting wellbeing across the lifespan through music, emotion regulation, social connection, and technology.

Anaesthetist and Intensivist

Interests in Airways, Human Factors and organisational behaviour issues relating to healthcare

A/Prof Andrea Viecelli is an academic nephrologist at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, Australia and was awarded her PhD on strategies to improve vascular access outcomes in patients on haemodialysis in 2019 through the University of Queensland. As a clinical trialist of the Australasian Kidney Trials Network (AKTN) she plays a key role in designing and conducting international clinical trials in people with chronic kidney disease. As a Coordinating Committee member, Transplant Cardiovascular- and Haemodialysis Vascular Access Project Coordinator of the global SONG initiative, she is conducting clinical and qualitative research to establish standardised core outcome measures based on the shared priorities of >10000 patients, clinicians, researchers and policy makers from >100 countries to improve the relevance and reliability of kidney research to inform patient-centred care. As member of the International Society of Nephrology Young Nephrologists Committee (ISN YNC), chair of the ISN YNC capacity building Subcommittee, ISN Advancing Clinical Trials Committee, member of the ISN Advancing Clinical Trials committee and as ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas Project (GKHA) Fellow, she engages health professionals and consumers to promote equitable professional engagement, career development, trial conduct and participation and access to kidney care in Australia and internationally. She has received numerous local, national and international awards for her research, including the ANZSN Young Investigator Award (2017), Kidney Health Australia Clinical Research Award (2016), the ERA EDTA Young Investigator award (2017 and 2018) and the 2018 and 2022 Sylvan Green Award from the Society for Clinical Trials. As the recipient of a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Emerging Leadership Investigator Grant and a Queensland Advancing Clinical Research Fellowship she currently pursues a program of clinical and qualitative research to improve patient-important outcomes in haemodialysis.

Dwan is an environmental epidemiologist, with a particular interest in children's environmental health. Her current research explores the following:

• Environmentally persistent free radicals, air pollution, and children's lung outcomes
• Maternal exposure to green space, ambient temperature and air pollution and the association with neonatal and child outcomes
• The knowledge of GPs and naturopaths on environmental health issues for preconception care
• Exposures to phthalates and allergic disease

Dwan has a background in public health and nutrition. She is a founder and co-host of the R Peer Group at UQ/QIMR

Denys Villa Gomez holds a joint appointment at the University of Queensland as Senior Lecturer at the School of Civil Engineering and as a Research Fellow at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. She obtained her PhD at the world-leading institute’s IHE-Delft/Wageningen University, The Netherlands in 2013. She applies advanced methodologies such as omics approaches and micro spectral tools to develop biotechnology processes that reduce carbon emissions and recover resources from mine waste and wastewater. She is the leader of the key area “Synbio Mining” within the recently created UQ Biosustainability Hub and chief investigator at the ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources for the Future. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers cited more than 500 times, and has served as editor and reviewer for leading journals and advisory roles in industry and scientific committees (e.g. International Mine Water Association).

Teaching and Learning:

• Course coordinator and lecturer for Introduction to Environmental Engineering (CIVL2135)
• Course coordinator and lecturer for Environmental Phenomena (ENVE3160)
• Lecturer in Integrated Design for Environmental Management (CIVL4516)
• Lecturer in Sustainable Built Environment (CIVL4180)

Dr. Villacorta is an Honorary Fellow in the School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering and in the Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM) at the University of Queensland (Australia). He is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Center for Graphene Research and Innovation at the University of Mississippi (USA).

He received his Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University (United States of America), and his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from José Simeón Cañas Central American University (El Salvador).

His research interests are on the fields of polymer formulation and processing, multifunctional composites, sustainable materials, and composites for extreme environments.

Human-centred design of interactive systems

Stephen Viller is a researcher and educator in human-centred design methods, particularly applied to designing social, domestic and mobile computing technologies, and understanding how people's interactions in everyday settings inform the design of such technologies. He has over 20 years of experience in Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), Interaction Design, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research, where he has focused on bridging disciplines and perspectives. He has concentrated on qualitative methods, particularly observational fieldwork, contextual interviews, diary studies and field trips, but also increasingly on more ‘designerly’ approaches such as cultural probes, low-fidelity prototypes, rapid prototyping and sketching.

Stephen is an Associate Professor and leader of the Human-Centred Computing discipline in the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and UQ's Theme Leader for the Digital Worlds and Disruptive Technologies theme in the QUEX Institute. From 2016-2019 he was the Director of Coursework Studies (Chair of T&L committee) and from 2011-2016 he was Program Director of the Bachelor of Multimedia Design and Master of Interaction Design. His publications span various interdisciplinary journals and conferences in HCI/CSCW and technology design. He has a BSc (Hons) Computation (UMIST), MSc Cognitive Science (Manchester) and PhD Computing (Lancaster).