Find an expert

Amal specialises in investigating the therapeutic aspects of focused ultrasound assisted gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. He completed his PhD (2016-2020) at CAI/AIBN (UQ) under Prof. Kristofer Thurecht, studying the effect of different ligand densities on the distribution of nanocarriers in vitro and in vivo. He joined Prof. Terry Rabbitts’s lab at the Institute of Cancer Research London as a Postdoctoral Fellow (2020-2022), working on an intracellular antibody-assisted small molecule discovery project funded by Blood Cancer UK and by the Kay Kendall Leukemia Fund. His current research focuses on the therapeutic aspects of focused ultrasound-mediated gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases funded by the FightMND Foundation, in collaboration with Professor Kris Thurecht, Dr. Kara Vine-Perrow, Prof. Justin Yerbury, and Prof. Anthony White at the University of Queensland and the University of Wollongong.

Dr Dilki Jayasinghe is a Biostatistics Research Fellow at the Centre for Health Services Research, with expertise in statistical analysis using imaging data, validation and application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in dermatology and melanoma epidemiology. She completed her PhD in 2023 on statistical modelling of the natural history and spatial distribution of naevi (or moles, the strongest phenotypic risk factor for melanoma) using 3D total-body photography.

Anjana Jayasree is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Queensland's School of Pharmacy, specializing in the development of innovative nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Her current research focuses on designing metallic and polymeric nanoparticles/microparticles to combat antimicrobial resistance, addressing a critical global health challenge. She was awarded the Dean's Award for Outstanding HDR Theses for her exceptional PhD work from the University of Queensland in December 2023.

Previously, Anjana's research included the development of nanoengineered titanium implants to enhance bioactivity for osseointegration and soft tissue integration. She has also worked on creating polymeric scaffolds for bone and tendon tissue engineering and innovating therapeutic bandage systems for diabetic wound healing. These contributions demonstrate her expertise in applying advanced materials to solve complex biomedical problems.

Anjana's expertise extends to advanced microscopy, nanomaterial characterization, and bio-fabrication techniques. She is dedicated to translating her research into practical applications that improve animal and human health, with a strong emphasis on combating antimicrobial resistance.

Dr Dinesha Jayawardana is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on quantitative genetics, statistical modelling, and data-driven solutions in agriculture and animal science. She specialises in mixed model approaches in plant and animal breeding experiments, as well as genomic, phenotypic, and pedigree data analysis. She has extensive experience in animal and plant breeding, genetic analysis, and experimental design across livestock, aquaculture, and crop production systems, with a strong emphasis on genetic improvement and sustainable production practices. She is currently working as a statistician for the Analytics for Australian Grain Industry project, providing statistical data analysis support for initiatives across the Australian grain sector. Dinesha received her PhD in Quantitative Genetics from Massey University, New Zealand, a Master of Science in Biostatistics, and a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. She has also been recognised with multiple national and international awards for research excellence, including the Dean's List for Exceptional Doctoral Theses and an Animal Science Award of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.

Ruthie's teaching and research interests lie at the intersection of law and healthcare. She is particularly interested in voluntary assisted dying and the role of patients and family caregivers in shaping healthcare regulation. Ruthie teaches in the Ethics, Law and Professionalism stream of the Year 1 medical degree and is an active teacher and researcher in the School of Law, including tutoring in Law of Torts II.

Ruthie Jeanneret, BA, LLB (Hons), GradDipLegPrac, PhD, completed her PhD thesis at the Australian Centre for Health Law Research, QUT. Her empirical PhD thesis investigated patients' and family caregivers' perspectives and experiences of voluntary assisted dying regulation in Australia and Canada. Ruthie has been involved in writing the voluntary assisted dying mandatory training for participating practitioners in Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria. She also has experience in teaching undergraduate law and nursing students.

From 2018 - 2020, Ruthie worked as a litigation lawyer in Queensland and Tasmania, practising primarily in commercial litigation.

Dr Barbora Jedlickova is a specialist in competition law, with core research interests in competition‑law theory, the digital economy, and comparative competition law. Her work spans a wide range of topics, including cartels, vertical restraints, the concepts of bargaining power and market power, sustainability, AI, and the economic and jurisprudential foundations of competition law. She has also examined specific markets with distinctive regulatory challenges, such as grocery retail, pharmaceuticals, and digital platforms.

She has published both internationally and nationally, including in leading law journals. Her research monograph Resale Price Maintenance and Vertical Territorial Restrictions: Theory and Practice in EU Competition Law and US Antitrust Law was published by Edward Elgar Publishing. Her research has been presented across Australia, the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Barbora’s professional engagement is both global and domestic. She led the establishment of the Australia and New Zealand chapter of the International League of Competition Law (LIDC)—the first such group in the region—and serves as its President. The chapter is affiliated with the long‑standing international LIDC in Switzerland and connected to the University of Queensland’s Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law (CPILC). She has contributed to several international LIDC projects.

She is a member of the Competition and Consumer Committee of the Law Council of Australia and participates in several international associations. Her academic career has included visiting scholar positions at institutions such as the University of Iowa, Boston University, the US Department of Justice, and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Barbora has held editorial roles with Competition Policy International (Oceania Column) and the LAWASIA Journal.

Drawing on her personal experience and journey, Barbora has been an active advocate for children with brain injuries, as well as for carers of children with special needs and serious illnesses. She led the establishment of the UQ Network for Carers of Children with Special Needs and Serious Chronic Illnesses, where she currently serves as Chair.

She holds a PhD and LL.M. (with Commendation) in International Competition Law and Policy from the University of Glasgow, and a Master’s degree in Law and Legal Studies from Masaryk University. Before entering academia, she worked as a lawyer in the Czech Republic and later as a contracts specialist at the Universities of St Andrews and Glasgow. In 2009, she completed a traineeship at DG Competition at the European Commission in Brussels.

Background

I am Senior Lecturer and the Korean Major Convenor at the University of Queensland, with a PhD in Applied Linguistics specializing in Foreign Language Education from the University of Texas at Austin. My academic journey spans over two decades of language education across multiple contexts: I taught and coordinated English language programs in South Korea for 10 years, taught and coordinated Korean language courses at the University of Texas at Austin for 5 years, and have taught and coordinated Korean language courses at UQ since 2014. I was awarded Fellow rank from the Higher Education Academy in 2019, recognizing excellence in teaching and learning.

My research operates at the intersection of applied linguistics, psychology, and migration studies, with particular expertise in heritage language maintenance, immigrant acculturation, and affective factors in language learning. I conduct research on Korean diaspora communities, with a strong publication record and external funding support that demonstrates the international relevance of this work.

Current Research Focus

My research program examines three interconnected areas within applied linguistics and migration studies:

Heritage Language Maintenance and Identity: I investigate how immigrant communities maintain, shift, or lose their heritage languages across generations, exploring the complex relationships between language proficiency, ethnic identity, and cultural adaptation in multicultural societies.

Immigrant Acculturation and Psychological Adaptation: My research examines the psychological processes through which immigrants adapt to new cultural environments, investigating acculturation strategies, cultural identity formation, and their impact on mental health and wellbeing. This work contributes to understanding how language and cultural factors influence successful integration in diverse societies.

Affective Factors in Language Learning: I study the emotional and psychological dimensions of language acquisition, particularly anxiety, motivation, beliefs, and self-efficacy among diverse language learners including foreign/second language learners as well as heritage language learners and immigrants. This research addresses how affective factors influence language learning outcomes and daily communication experiences.

Future Research Directions

I am expanding my research framework to examine heritage language maintenance and acculturation processes among diverse minority communities in Australia, including Indigenous populations and other immigrant groups. This expansion will contribute to broader understanding of multilingualism, cultural identity, and social integration in contemporary Australia. I am particularly interested in developing national and international collaborations that employ trans-disciplinary approaches to address complex questions about language, identity, and belonging in multicultural societies. Additionally, I seek to further investigate affective factors in language learning across diverse contexts, examining how emotional and psychological dimensions influence language acquisition outcomes for different learner populations.

My research directly informs policy and practice in multicultural education, heritage language programs, and immigrant settlement services, contributing to evidence-based approaches that support linguistic diversity and cultural inclusion in Australian society.

Mayra is a geometallurgy specialist with extensive experience leading geometallurgical studies and developing predictive models for greenfield and brownfield mining projects. She has a strong background in process mineralogy, the design and management of metallurgical testwork programs, and process design, supporting process optimisation and project development.

Her experience includes working as a Senior Metallurgist at Transmin Metallurgical Consultants in Lima, Peru. She recently completed her PhD in Mineral Processing at The University of Queensland, where her research focused on understanding the effect of mineral textures on flotation performance. She is currently a researcher with the Flotation Chemistry Group at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC), working on ore characterisation, process mineralogy, metallurgical testing, and flotation chemistry

Debbie is an experienced and passionate lecturer of accounting. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, she uses her background as an audit manager in a Big 4 accounting firm to teach accounting in a way that students find engaging and interesting. Her commercial roles in industry have led to her dedication to the teaching of financial accounting and auditing. She has a keen interest in Accounting Education and has led the development of new teaching materials and other teaching innovations on various technology platforms.

Anna Jenkins is a Senior Lecturer within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Queensland and a Senior Staff Specialist in Psychiatry at The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. She also provides independent opinions for the Queensland Mental Health Court.

Anna completed her medical and psychiatric training in Queensland and Victoria and is an experienced psychiatrist and clinical teacher. She has worked in a range of contexts, from tertiary hospitals to remote islands in the Torres Strait, in the United Kingdom and internationally for Médecins Sans Frontières. She has a long history of association with the University of Queensland and Queensland Health. Her areas of interest and expertise include general adult psychiatry, forensic mental health and transcultural mental health.

Areas of expertise:

• The processes activities involved in creating high impact startups
• The development and evolution of startup ecosystems
• The impact firm failure has on small business owners’ well-being including their financial, and emotional well-being and how they respond to and cope with firm failure

Dr Anna Jenkins studies the startup process, the activities and processes which entrepreneurs engage in to explain why some startups emerge successful and growing and others either stagnate or fail. She currently holds an ARC Discovery grant for this project where she is leading a project following the development and trajectories of startups for over four years. She is also leading a research project on the development of startup ecosystems where the research team is conducting a longitudinal ethnographic study on how startup ecosystems emerge.

Her other area of expertise on how small business owners manage setbacks and failure. Her research focuses on how small business owners respond to failure, how they reduce the impact failure can have on their well-being, and the effectiveness of different coping strategies for their well-being and future employment. She was been awarded a number of prestigious research grants for this work including funding from The Swedish Retail and Wholesale Development Council and Swedbank.

She is familiar with a variety of research methods having conducted large scale longitudinal quantitative studies and narrative interviews with small business owners who have failed. As well as ethnographic field work and experiments.

Bec Jenkinson is health consumer advocate-turned-researcher, with more than 15 years’ experience as a leader in the Australian health consumer movement, advocating for high quality, respectful, person-centred care. She is also skilled qualitative and mixed methods researcher, writer, presenter and networker with a passion for consumer and community involvement in health and medical research, and broad experience encompassing health policy, service delivery and evaluation, and education. Bec's PhD investigated the experiences of women, midwives and obstetricians when pregnant women decline recommended care. She went on to co-lead the development and implementation of Queensland Health's Guideline: Partnering with the woman who declines recommended maternity care. More recently, Bec has been the academic lead of the RADIANT study, alongside a Lived Experience Lead. Aiming to addressing weight stigma in maternity care, RADIANT was recognised with two awards at the inaugural AccessCR Australian Consumer Partnerships in Research Awards in 2025. The study coproduce national, consensus-based Best Practice Principles for Weight Inclusive Maternity Care, which have now been endorsed by peak stakeholder organisations.

Bec is now a Senior Research Fellow with UQ's Clinical Trials Capability Team (ULTRA), working collaboratively with researchers, consumers and other stakeholders to enhance consumer and community involvement (CCI) in clinical trial designs and processes. She is particularly interested in the methodologies of research priority setting, and currently leads a pilot study aiming to expand Australian researchers access to James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnerships. Bec is also interested in how innovative approaches can support more inclusive CCI, and drive health equity in clinical trials.

I am interested in students' transition from high school to university mathematics, as well as the teaching and learning of first-year mathematics.

My main research area is the transition from high school to university mathematics. My 25+ years’ teaching experience on both sides of the secondary-tertiary transitional fence gives me an excellent understanding of student knowledge, allowing me to focus my teaching on specific, known problem areas such as algebra, calculus and contextual understanding.

I do not just rely on my background knowledge and communication skills, but also take a scholarly approach to generate new knowledge that informs my teaching. I use technology such as UniDoodle to gather data and then design innovative resources that support diverse student cohorts, including the SmartAss self-testing system. In 2015 I was awarded an OLT Award for Teaching Excellence. In 2010 I was awarded an ALTC Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.

I have been successful in attracting competitive grant funding for teaching innovations. For example, I led an OLT Extension Grant on diagnostic testing. This grant saw the implementation of a unique diagnostic test system, GetSet, in four Australian universities. In 2008 I was part of a team that was awarded a UQ Teaching and Learning Strategic Grant to design the competency test (that is now GetSet) for first-year engineering students to assess knowledge of high school level mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and also the ability of the students to apply this knowledge. I was also a Chief Investigator on a Carrick Grant that developed a powerful and flexible electronic system called SmartAss that creates unlimited questions accompanied by fully worked solutions. This innovative system has been used with great success over a range of mathematics, science and business courses for the past 15 years. The system is also used in high schools.

I have also led numerous internally funded projects. These projects have developed a comprehensive range of new small-group learning resources for students in core engineering courses to complement a redeveloped student-focused mathematics learning space, an online diagnostic test with automatic correction and feedback to students and staff, numerous study guides for first-year mathematics courses, and a $99,000 Technology Enhanced Learning grant to update and improve SmartAss. All of these teaching innovation grants are aimed at improving students’ mathematical understanding along with their first-year experience.

I have been heavily involved in the work of the School’s Teaching and Learning Committee that has been responsible for improving the overall quality of teaching within the School. I mentor new staff, providing advice on teaching and assessment design.

I have also been involved in the development and review of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics, and foster links between high school teachers and university lecturers through my role as Executive Committee Member and Treasurer of the Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers.

I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a member of the UQ College of Peer Observers, and one of three members of the First Year in Maths National Steering Committee.

In my PhD I continued my research on subject selection and students’ mathematical understanding, which has allowed me to further improve my teaching.

Dr Elin Jennings is a postdoctoral research fellow in Mine Waste Geoscience at the W.H.Bryan Mining and Geology Research Centre within the Sustainable Minerals Institute. She currently works in the Mine Waste Transformation through Characterisation (MIWATCH) research group.

Elin's current research focus is on characterising legacy mine waste and Acid Mine Drainage in support to promote sustainable mining practices.

Before her PhD, Elin completed a BSc in Environmental Earth Science at Aberystwyth University. During her undergraduate years, she was awarded the Walter Idris Bursary for an independent research project on the adsorption and desorption of harmful elements on coal and ochre. Her dissertation focused on mapping potentially harmful elements around the Clydach nickel refinery in Wales, which contributed to the British Geological Survey’s urban geochemistry map of Swansea. She received the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland Award, and the Rudler Exhibition Prize for her academic achievements.

She earned her PhD from the University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines (UK), under the supervision of Prof. Karen Hudson-Edwards and Dr. Rich Crane. Her research, conducted in collaboration with the NERC-funded Legacy Waste in the Coastal Zone project, focused on the behaviour of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)-related metal(loid) contaminants such as arsenic, copper, and zinc in the Carnon River (UK) and their interactions with changing hydrological cycles and seawater in coastal zones. Elin’s thesis, Sources, Pathways, and Sinks of Metal(loid) Contaminants in an AMD-Affected River System, combined geology, geochemistry, and environmental science. Her fieldwork involved extensive sampling and hydrological measurements, and she developed expertise in advanced analytical techniques, including synchrotron-based XAS, XRF, ICP-OES, SEM-EDX, QEMSCAN, and ferrozine assays. She was awarded a Diamond Light Source grant to study arsenic transformations in river sediments using beamline I18.

After her PhD, Elin entered a role as a graduate research assistant in the PAMANA project. Project PAMANA aimed to provide a holistic understanding of the legacy, present and future environmental and ecological impacts of mining on Philippine River systems. The project also aimed to lay the foundations for a novel catchment monitoring and management infrastructure that informs sustainable mining practice through more effective Environmental Impact Assessment. Her role in this project focused on creating a geochemical profile of soils in the Agno Catchment and understanding the controls of their distribution (i.e. land use and geology).

Paul Jensen is a research leader in the areas of anaerobic biotechnology and resource recovery at ACWEB; and leads projects in the areas of waste treatment with a focus on recovery of renewable energy resources, production of bio-fertilizers, bio-plastics and other high value products from wastes and other low value raw materials.

Complex challenges require multi-disciplinary thinking and Paul’s team incorporates engineering, biological sciences, modelling and information processing approaches to research and technology development for a range of partners across municipal, agricultural, animal and industrial sectors.

Paul and ACWEB are recognised as both national and global experts on biogas and resource recovery technologies. They actively contributes to over 12 research and consulting projects per year with applications across the product development cycle. Importantly, the team are having real world impact, and have contributed to a range of major wastewater infrastructure projects in the last 5 years.