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Pedro Fidelman is an Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Policy Futures, The University of Queensland, where he leads the Social and Environmental Sustainability research theme.

His research examines how governance systems address emerging sustainability challenges. He studies the institutions, policies, regulations and decision-making processes that shape responses to changing environmental, societal and technological conditions.

His work spans diverse sustainability contexts, including water and catchment governance, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, marine and coastal governance, sustainable agriculture, the blue economy and emerging sustainability technologies. A major focus of his current research is the governance, policy and regulatory implications of emerging sustainability technologies, including reef restoration and adaptation, offshore renewable energy and RNA-based biotechnologies.

Alongside his empirical research, Pedro develops innovative approaches for analysing governance systems, including governance analytics, comparative governance and AI-assisted qualitative analysis.

His research has informed national and international policy initiatives and has been cited in policy documents produced by governments and international organisations across multiple countries. He has served as Coordinating Lead Author (Oceans and Coasts) for the United Nations Global Environment Outlook 7.

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.