Research and innovation team

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation)
Professor David Currow
E: david_currow@uow.edu.au

Senior Executive Assistant
Jo O'Brien
T: (02) 4221 3933
E: jobrien@uow.edu.au

Senior Executive Assistant
Debbie Marriott
E: dmarriott@uow.edu.au

Director, Research Services Office
Sharon Martin
Manages research grants, ethics and data information. Strategic research planning, promotion and reporting. Executive support to University Research Committee.
T: (02) 4221 3928
E: sharon_martin@uow.edu.au 

Executive Assistant to the Director
Julie Evans
T: (02) 4221 3386
E: research-services@uow.edu.au

Professor Simon Moss
Dean of Graduate Research
T: (02) 4239 4602
E: simon_moss@uow.edu.au

Professor Honglin Chen
Deputy Dean of Graduate Research
View profile
T: (02) 4221 3305
E: honglin_chen@uow.edu.au 

 
Director, Graduate Research School
Vacant 

Administrative Support:
Executive Assistant to Graduate Research Leadership Team
Jodi Barrie
T: (02) 4221 5760
E: jodi_barrie@uow.edu.au  

Senior Manager, Innovation & Commercial Research
George Tomka
E: george_tomka@uow.edu.au 

Assistant to Senior Manager

Currently vacant
T: (02) 4221 5086

Dean of Research Knowledge Exchange and Translation (RKET)
Paul Di Pietro
E: paul_di_pietro@uow.edu.au 

iAccelerate Director of Research
Tamantha Stutchbury
E: tamantha_stutchbury@uow.edu.au 

iAccelerate Director of Education
Dr Jeri Childers 
E: jeri_mccracken@uow.edu.au  

Dean of Researcher Development and Integrity (RDI) and Executive Director, Global Challenges Program 
Distinguished  Professor Sharon Robinson
T: (02) 4221 5753
E: sharon_robinson@uow.edu.au 

Dean of Researcher Development and Integrity (RDI)
Senior Professor Melanie Randle
T: (02) 4221 4858 
E: melanie_randle@uow.edu.au 

Liz Ragen
Assistant to Directors  
T: (02) 4221 4261
E: eragen@uow.edu.au

Interim Executive Director, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM)
Associate Professor Germanas Peleckis
T: (02) 42215728
E: germanas_peleckis@uow.edu.au 

Assistant to Director
Narelle Badger
T: (02) 4221 5352
E: narelle_badger@uow.edu.au

Director, Science Space
Mr Stuart Creal
T: (02) 4286 5036
E: stuart_creal@uow.edu.au

Assistant to Director
Kim Noble
T: (02) 4286 5000
E: kim_noble@uow.edu.au

CEO and Executive Director, Illawarra Health & Medical Reserach Institute (IHMRI)
Distinguished Professor David Adams
E: david_adams@uow.edu.au 

Assistant to Director
Joanna Harrison
T: (02) 4221 3871
E: joanna_harrison@uow.edu.au

The Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) is a not-for-profit charity and independent Medical Research Institute that supports scientists, clinicians and health professionals in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven.

They provide a range of services to help affiliated researchers focus on what they do best—discovering new insights into the human body, finding better ways to treat disease and illness, and improving clinical practice. 

They support health and medical researchers at every stage of their career, whether based in a laboratory or in a hospital ward. They also help researchers collaborate with each other so that new projects can flourish and deliver tangible health care outcomes.

• Not for Profit Independent Medical Research Institute (MRI) that supports health and medical research in the Illawarra
• Translational approach to Research with local clinicians
• Clinical trials
• Investigates a range of diseases and illnesses under 3 research themes:
• Diagnostics & Therapeutics
• Mental Health & Ageing Brain
• Chronic Conditions & Lifestyle

General enquiries:

Building 32 University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong NSW 2522

info@ihmri.org.au | 02 4221 4333

Administrative Support:

Joanna Harrison | E: joanna_harrison@uow.edu.au | T: 4221 3871

Find out more about IHMRI

The Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM) is a purpose-built facility at the University of Wollongong's Innovation Campus to help transform multi-functional materials research into commercial reality. The researchers at AIIM are at the cutting edge of developing and applying new and innovative materials.

AIIM comprises the following research organisations:

• The Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI)
• The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES)
• The Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM)
• The University of Wollongong Electron Microscopy Centre (EMC)

Meet the people driving AIIM

General enquiries:

Innovation Campus | AIIM Facility | Building 231 | Squires Way | North Wollongong NSW 2500| Australia

Administrative Support:

Narelle Badger | E: narelle_badger@uow.edu.au | T: 4221 3530

Science Space is the only dedicated immersive science experience in NSW and exists to advocate for and foster science literacy.

• NSW’s only dedicated science centre
• Founded upon principles of education, hands-on learning and accessibility with a focus on STEM education
• Over 100 interactive exhibits, science shos and workshops
• NSW #1 Digitally Immersive Planetarium
• Dedicated STEM Zone with extensive STEM outreach, onsite and virtual programs.

General enquiries:

60 Squires Way, North Wollongong, NSW, 2500

science-space@uow.edu.au | (02) 4286 5000

The Graduate Research School is dedicated to supporting Higher Degree Research candidates by managing all aspects of candidature, from enrolment to thesis submission and examination and providing higher quality training and development activities for HDR candidates and Supervisors.

The GRS team can assist with:

• HDR candidature management
• HDR scholarships
• HDR data and IT Systems
• HDR policy & procedures
• HDR training and development
• HDR supervisory development
• HDR supervision
• HDR research misconduct

Professor Simon Moss
Dean of Graduate Research
T: (02) 4239 4602
E: simon_moss@uow.edu.au    

 
Professor Honglin Chen
Deputy Dean of Graduate Research
View profile
T: (02) 4221 3305
E: honglin_chen@uow.edu.au 

Director, Graduate Research School
Vacant 

Administrative Support:
Executive Assistant to Graduate Research Leadership Team
Jodi Barrie
T: (02) 4221 5760
E: jodi_barrie@uow.edu.au

Abhilash Vijayan
Systems, Reporting and Analytics Coordinator
T: (02) 4221 3208
E: abhilash_vijayan@uow.edu.au 

Lance Barrie
Training and Development Coordinator
T: (02) 4221 4456
E: lance_barrie@uow.edu.au

Dr Natalie Stefanic
Training and Development Officer

Camilla Berger
Training and Development Officer

Tara Edworthy
Training and Development Assistant 

Erin Smith
Scholarships and Progression Coordinator
T: (02) 4221 4323
E: erin_smith@uow.edu.au

Kylie Dawson
Thesis Examination Officer
E: graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au

Bo Zheng
Candidate Liaison Coordinator
E:  bo_zheng@uow.edu.au

Kirsty Greatz
Candidate Liaison Officer
E: graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au

Catherine Brown
Candidate Liaison Officer
E: graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au 

Mia Fedele
Candidate Liaison Officer
E: graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au

Kate Kang
Candidate Liaison Officer
E: graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au 

Lara Duggan
Candidate Liaison Officer
E: graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au 

Dean of Research Knowledge Exchange and Translation, Dr Paul Di Pietro will focus on creating a thriving RKET ecosystem and promote entrepreneurship at UOW.

He will develop coordinated RKET strategy and framework, facilitate professional development, lead UOW’s Business Development Network and its Research Infrastructure Working Party.

UOW’s business accelerator and incubator iAccelerate and the Innovation and Commercial Research Unit reports to the Dean of RKET.

Dr Paul Di Pietro 
T: (02) 4221 4887
E: paul_di_pietro@uow.edu.au 

Maree Glancy
Maree provides Executive Assistant support to Paul Di Pietro and Tamantha Stutchbury, as well as assisting with the iAccelerate team and operations.

T: (02) 4221 3007
E: mburton@uow.edu.au 

The Innovation and Commercial Research team helps guide UOW's world-class researchers to engage with industry. They explore research and development capabilities, while providing the connections and knowledge to ensure partnerships are mutually beneficial. This team can assist with: 

• Industry / Business & UOW Researcher Engagement Facilitation
• Commercial Research Contracts, Tenders, Grants and CRCs
• Contract Research Consultancies
• Identification, protection and Commercialisation of Intellectual Property & Innovation

General enquiries:
Innovation and Commercial Research Unit, Level 1, Mike Codd Building, Innovation Campus
icr-enquiry@uow.edu.au | 02 4221 5086

Find our more about UOW partnering with industry

George Tomka - Senior Manager Business Development
George taps into over 25 years of international experience achieving successful outcomes across business, government and research, to ensure that UOW’s innovative capabilities have lasting value and are accessible to companies. George leads ICRU, engaging with researchers and our networks to maximise the opportunities and build mutually beneficial relationships.

Zahra Shahbazian - Senior Business Initiatives Manager
Zahra leverages her extensive experience with local and NSW industry to identify areas of common strategic research between Industry Partners and UOW staff focussed on translations research and commercialisation. Zahra is specialised in all NSW and Federal funding scheme and is particularly focused on engaging agile SME partners.

Dr Leo Stevens - Business Development Manager - Advantage SME Program
As an Industry Research Manager, Leo leverages his extensive experience with local and NSW industry to identify areas of common strategic research between Industry Partners and UOW staff focussed on translations research and commercialisation. Leo leads UOW's Advantage SME program which provides support to both researchers and industry partners seeking to initiate collaborative research projects. Having both academic and industry experience, Leo is well placed to help bridge the gap between research and industry, and can assist with opportunity identification, introductions, project scoping, grants and compliance.  

Dan Cartwright - Business Development Manger
As an Business Development Manager, Dan provides strategic advice on industry research engagement, commercial research, and commercialisation to stakeholders in the University. 

Andrew Morton - Business Development Manger - Innovation
Andrew loves collaborating with the amazing people who work at UOW, creating knowledge for a better world.  Andrew joined UOW in 2022 after a long corporate career, primarily working in intellectual property and innovation management. He is always willing to assist UOW researchers navigate the commercialisation landscape and exchange insights to create shared understanding.

Scott Snaidero - Industry and Community Partnership Coordinator
Scott leverages his extensive experience in business development, financial management and stakeholder engagement to identify and assist researchers pursue commercial research tender funding opportunities and build capacity and capability in their own stakeholder engagement approach.               

Kerry Duff - Intellectual Property Administration Officer
Kerry provides support to the Technology Transfer Office as well as assisting the ICR team with administration, record management services. Kerry supports UOW commercialisation and commercial research business development activities, which includes patent administration and intellectual property workflow.

Lisa Speelman - Intellectual Property Administration Officer
Lisa provides support for IP deeds as well as assisting the ICR team with administration, record management services. Lisa supports UOW commercialisation and commercial research business development activities, which includes patent administration and intellectual property workflow.

iAccelerate is a business accelerator and incubator that is tailored to help build and grow ideas and innovation into scalable businesses.

Their team can assist with:

• Start Ideas Incubator
• Business acceleration program
• Entrepreneur networks
• Mentor programs
• Pitch programs
• Education programs
• $10M seed fund

General enquiries:
iaccelerate@uow.edu.au | (02) 4239 2150

Tamantha Stutchbury - iAccelerate Director
E: tamantha_stutchbury@uow.edu.au  

Chris Petersilge - Business Development and Initiatives Manager
E: chris_petersilge@uow.edu.au 

John Kerr - Program and Community Manager
T: (02) 4239 2150
E: john_kerr@uow.edu.au 

Ainslie Tweedie - Relationship and Systems Coordinator
E: ainslie_tweedie@uow.edu.au

Rhonda McGuire - Business Development Officer, iAccelerate Rise
E: rhonda_mcguire@uow.ecu.au

Samuel Green - Administrative Assistant, iAccelerate Rise
E: samuel_green@uow.edu.au

David Malins - Learning Management System Specialist, iAccelerate Rise
E: david_malins@uow.edu.au

Gabby Moir - Program Facilitator, iAccelerate Rise
E: gabby_moir@uow.edu.au

Senior Professor Robinson and Senior Professor Randle share the role of Dean of Researcher Development and Integrity (RDI). They work together to build a new inclusive culture focused on responsible research and research integrity.

Senior Professor Robinson will focus on the research leadership framework, researcher development and recognition, and the equity diversity research agenda.

Senior Professor Randle will focus on human and animal research ethics, gene technology and biosafety, foreign arrangements, defence export controls and ethics and integrity training

Distinguished Professor Sharon Robinson
T: (02) 4221 4887
E: sharon_robinson@uow.edu.au 

Senior Professor Melanie Randle 
T: (02) 4221 4887
E: melanie_randle@uow.edu.au 

Liz Ragen 
Executive Assistant to
Dean, Researcher Development and Integrity
T: (02) 4221 4261
E: eragen@uow.edu.au

Eve Steinke - Associate Director, Research Integrity & Ethics
Strategic direction of Research Integrity and Ethics unit activities; Integrity and Ethics policy and training development; Research Integrity queries and investigations; Defence Export Controls and Sanctions permit applications.
T: (02) 4221 4457
E: eve_steinke@uow.edu.au 

Aimee Wall - Senior Integrity & Ethics Officer
Advice on complex integrity and human ethics issues; integrity and ethics policy development; investigation of allegations of research misconduct.
T: (02) 4221 5014
E: aimee_wall@uow.edu.au 

Zoe Wulff - Ethics Officer
Executive support to Health and Medical and Social Sciences Human Ethics Committees, contact for issues and applications.
T: (02) 4239 2191
E: zwulff@uow.edu.au 

Caroline McCulley - Ethics Officer
Executive support to Health and Medical and Social Sciences Human Ethics Committees, contact for issues and applications.
E: cmcculley@uow.edu.au

Sabine Holz - Ethics Admin Officer
General ethics enquiries, provides administrative support to the weekly HREC meetings, maintains ethics database, filing and document tracking systems.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
T: (02) 4221 3773
E: sabine_holz@uow.edu.au 

Lil Miller - Ethics Admin Officer
General ethics enquiries, provides administrative support to the weekly HREC meetings, maintains ethics database, filing and document tracking systems.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
T: (02) 4221 5504
E: lil_miller@uow.edu.au 

Sarah Toole - Animal Welfare Officer
Animal welfare issues, veterinary support, compliance issues or concerns, animal welfare training, assistance with animal ethics applications.
T: (02) 4221 8096
E: sarah_toole@uow.edu.au 

Rochelle Waren - Ethics Officer
Executive support to Ethics Committees. First contact for: Animal Ethics Committee and Institutional Biosafety Committee.
T: (02) 4221 3350
E: rochelle_waren@uow.edu.au 

Ryah Perkiss - Research Integrity Officer
Research integrity queries and training; support for Research Integrity Advisors; Executive support for Research Integrity Committee.
T: (02) 4221 4607
E: ryah_perkiss@uow.edu.au 

Dr Merilyn Childs – Research Integrity Project Officer
Research integrity related project work.
E: mchilds@uow.edu.au 

UOW's Global Challenges Program is designed to harness the diverse expertise of world-class researchers from the University of Wollongong to address real-world problems. Global Challenges research teams address problems beyond the scope of a single discipline, in collaboration with industry, government and wider community. Global Challenges drives:

• interdisciplinary research for impact
• support & mentoring for EMCRs to build diverse research teams
• community and industry partnership development  

General enquiries

Building 20, Level 2.205C
University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia

globalchallenges@uow.edu.au | (02) 4221 5116

Administrative Support

Liz Ragen - currently on leave | E: elizabeth_ragen@uow.edu.au | T: 4221 4261

Find out more about the Global Challenges Program

The Research Services Office consists of experienced staff advisors and  across all aspects of their research process. This team is overseen by Director Ms Sharon Martin.

They can assist with:

• Research Strategy & Policy Development
• Research Grants & Fellowships
• Research Analytics, Systems and Support
• Research Quality & Assessment (Global Rankings ERA & REI)
• Commercial contracts and tenders
• Faculty research operations

General enquiries & administrative support

Karla House & Julie Evans | research-services@uow.edu.au | (02) 4221 3386

Director, Research Services Office
Sharon Martin
Manages research grants and data information. Strategic research planning, promotion and reporting. Executive support to University Research Committee.
T: (02) 4221 3928
E: sharon_martin@uow.edu.au 

Executive Assistant to the Director
Julie Evans
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
T: (02) 4221 3386
E: research-services@uow.edu.au

Karen Lovasz - Manager Strategic Projects
Support the strategic activities of the Director, Research Services Office and Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation), and provide high level support in the management, strategy and administration of the Research Services Office.
T: (02) 4252 8218
E: karen_lovasz@uow.edu.au 

Stefan Delfgou - Associate Director, Research Grants & Development
Support for Research Strengths and Centres. Support and development of funding diversification in priority areas (health & medical; international). Strategic advice and support for Fellowship applicants.
T: (02) 4221 5953
E: stefan_delfgou@uow.edu.au 

Lucas Hughes - Manager ARC & Non-Medical Grants
Co-ordination of external and internal research funding initiatives. Strategic advice to clients applying for research funds. Post-award grant management.
T: (02) 4221 4522
E: lucas_hughes@uow.edu.au 

Nicole Murfitt - Research Grants and Development Officer
Administer external and internal research funding initiatives. Key grant contact for the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (ASSH) & the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM).
T: (02) 4221 5118
E: nicole_murfitt@uow.edu.au 

Louise Vandenberg - Research Grants and Development Officer
Administer external and internal research funding initiatives. Key grant contact for Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS). Post-award grant management.
T: 4239 4182
E: louisemc@uow.edu.au

Dr Thomas Griffiths - Manager, Major Research Initiatives
Support planning, development and submission of funding bids for major research programs, including ARC, NHMRC and MRFF. Initiate and support external and internal activities for major research funding initiatives. Post-award grant management.
T: (02) 4221 5091
E: thomas_griffiths@uow.edu.au  

Philip Cole - Major Research Investments Officer
Support planning, development and submission of funding bids for major research programs, including ARC, NHMRC and MRFF. Initiate and support external and internal activities for major research funding initiatives. Post-award grant management
E: philip_cole@uow.edu.au

Kim Gray - Major Research Investments Officer
Support planning, development and submission of funding bids for major research programs, including ARC, NHMRC and MRFF. Initiate and support external and internal activities for major research funding initiatives. Post-award grant management
T: (02) 4221 4946
E: kim_gray@uow.edu.au

Dr Monica Birrento - Manager - NHMRC & Medical Grants (acting)
Administer external and internal research funding initiatives. Key grant contact for Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (SMAH). Post-award grant management.
T: (02) 4239 2280
E: monica_birrento@uow.edu.au  

Gurleen Kaur - Research Grants and Development Officer 
Administer external and internal research funding initiatives. Key grant contact for Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (SMAH). Post-award grant management.
T: (02) 4239 4112
E: gurleen_kaur@uow.edu.au

Sam Trotman - Research Grants Assistant
This position's primary purpose is to provide assistance and support to the Research Grants and Development Team and academic staff in the submission of grant and fellowship applications and post-award administration of grants and fellowships
T: (02) 4221 3160
E: research-grants@uow.edu.au

Stuart Parker - Commercial Research Manager
As Commercial Research Manager, Stuart is responsible for management of commercial research activities at UOW. Providing advice and guidance across University policies and procedures, Stuart facilitates contractual negotiations between UOW and Industry Partners for Contract Research, Collaborative Research and Consultancy activities.
T: (02) 4221 4983
E: stuart_parker@uow.edu.au 

Deborah Loveday - Commercial Contracts Officer
As Commercial Contracts Officer, Deborah is responsible for the contractual administration of all routine commercial research activities at UOW including Contract Research, Consultancy and Collaborative Research activities. Deborah works closely with UOW Researchers to provide advice and guidance on University policies and procedures, and facilitates the negotiation of contract terms that are mutually beneficial to both the Industry Partner and the University.
T: (02) 4221 8145
E: deborah_coustley@uow.edu.au 

Hayley McCarrol Johnson - Tender and Contracts Officer
As Tenders and Contracts Officer, Hayley is responsible for supporting researchers in the submission of all tenders processed by the Research Services Office and upon successful award of the tender, ensuring the contracts are completed and executed correctly. Hayley provides detailed tender advice in conjunction with the Legal Services Unit and Finance to stakeholders in the University, and ensures that tenders submitted meet the contractual requirements to achieve successful outcomes for the University. Hayley also assists the Commercial Contracts team with processing of Contract Research, Consultancy, Collaboration and other template Agreements as required.
E: hayley_mccarrol@uow.edu.au 

Claire Carter - Associate Director, Research Analytics, Systems and Support
T: (02) 4221 4349
E: claire_carter@uow.edu.au 

Ann Hollifield - Research Business Applications Manager
T: (02) 4221 4901
E: ann_hollifield@uow.edu.au 

Lia Sherwood - Research Development and Impact Manager
T: (02) 4221 4097
E: lia_sherwood@uow.edu.au 

Willo Boniface - ERA Project Manager
T: (02) 4221 3965
E: willo_boniface@uow.edu.au 

Monika Oakman - Research Systems Analyst
T: (02) 4221 4669
E: monika_oakman@uow.edu.au 

Rangika Samaraweera - Research Systems Analyst
E: rangika_samaraweera@uow.edu.au

Venessa Andari - Research Reporting and Analytics Manager
T: (02) 4221 4251
E: venessa@uow.edu.au

Murray Green - Research Performance Analyst 
E: murraygr@uow.edu.au

Lisa Simmons - Senior Manager, Faculty Research Operations
T: (02) 4221 4854
E: lisa_simmons@uow.edu.au  

Sarah Lisle - Manager, Research Entities
T: (02) 4221 5154
E: research-operations@uow.edu.au

Hilena Allen - Faculty Research Operations Coordinator
T: (02) 4239 4211
E: research-operations@uow.edu.au

Kath Nagy - Faculty Research Operations Coordinator
T: (02) 4239 3168
E: research-operations@uow.edu.au

Elizabeth Brooks - Faculty Research Operations Coordinator
T: (02) 4221 4149
E: research-operations@uow.edu.au

Elizabeth Rowe - Faculty Research Operations Coordinator
T: (02) 4221 3125
E: research-operations@uow.edu.au