Research and innovation team - University of Wollongong

Jennifer L Martin AC

Professor Jennifer L Martin is an internationally renowned protein crystallographer and structural biologist. She has made seminal discoveries in bacterial redox biochemistry with the aim of identifying new treatments for antibiotic resistant infections.

Professor Martin’s primary role is to lead the University’s strategy for research and innovation and continue to drive the performance of research across the University. Prior to her current role, Professor Martin held the position of Director of the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery at Griffith University in Queensland.

She is currently President of the Asian Crystallographic Association and a member of the Executive for the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr). She was elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2017 and was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2018.

She was a founding member of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Steering Committee that established the Athena SWAN pilot to address gender equity in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine, and a member of the NHMRC Women in Health Sciences Committee.

The Research and Innovation Division

The Research and Innovation portfolio is managed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Professor Jennifer Martin AC. The teams all emphasise partnership and collaboration to deliver real-world impact. Demonstrating our commitment to innovation by giving great ideas a genuine business incubator pathway.

"We welcome opportunities to share our research and partner with our community. We support each other to enhance UOW’s reputation for research excellence and innovation."

The portfolio

The portfolio consists of eight divisions

Research and Innovation Division

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) & Support Staff
DVC-RI Senior Management & Support Staff
Research Services Office
Global Challenges Program
Innovation and Commercial Research
Graduate Research School
iAccelerate
Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI)
Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM)
Science Space

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation)
Professor Jennifer L Martin AC

E: jennifer_martin@uow.edu.au

Senior Executive Assistant
Tracy Panton

T: (02) 4221 3915
E: tpanton@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: sharonma@uow.edu.au

Assistant to the Director Sharon Martin
Julie Evans
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

T: (02) 4221 3386
E: research-services@uow.edu.au

Assistant to the Director
Karla House
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

T: (02) 4221 3386
E: research-services@uow.edu.au

Dean of Graduate Research
Professor Clive Baldock

E: cbaldock@uow.edu.au

Assistant to Dean
Toni Bloor

T: (02) 4221 4833
E: toni_bloor@uow.edu.au

Associate Dean - Graduate Research
Associate Professor Honglin Chen

View profile

T: (02) 4221 3305
E: honglin@uow.edu.au

Assistant to Associate Dean
Toni Bloor

T: (02) 4221 4833
E: toni_bloor@uow.edu.au

	(Acting) Senior Manager, Innovation & Commercial Research George Tomka E: gtomka@uow.edu.au Assistant to Senior Manager Lisa King T: (02) 4221 5086 E: lisa_king@uow.edu.au
	Chief Executive Officer, iAccelerate Omar Khalifa E: omark@uow.edu.au Assistant to Director Moira Buckley T: (02) 4221 5352 E: moira_buckly@uow.edu.au
	Executive Director, Global Challenges Program Senior Professor Sharon Robinson T: (02) 4221 5753 E: sharonr@uow.edu.au Assistant to Director Liz Ragen T: (02) 4221 4261 E: elizabeth_ragen@uow.edu.au
	Executive Director, Australian Institute of Innovative Materials (AIIM) Professor Will Price T: (02) 4239 2150 E: will_price@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
	Professor Tim Marchant E: tim_marchant@uow.edu.au Assistant Toni Bloor T: (02) 4221 4833 E: toni_bloor@uow.edu.au

The Research Services Office consists of experienced staff advisors and supports researchers 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 Integrity, Ethics (Human & Animal), Biosafety & Export Controls
Research Analytics, Systems and Support
Research Promotions & Marketing
Research Quality & Assessment (Global Rankings ERA & REI)
Researcher training and development

General enquiries & administrative support

Karla House & Julie Evans

research-services@uow.edu.au | (02) 4221 3386

Find out more about researcher support

Individual staff listed below

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:

Facilitates interdisciplinary research for impact
Global Challenges research focuses:
- Building Resilient Communities
- Living Well, Longer
- Making Future Industries
- Sustaining Coastal & Marine Zones
Oliver Ferrer Fund
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 | E: eragen@uow.edu.au | T: 4221 4261

Find out more about the Global Challenges Program

The Innovation and Commercial Research team help guide UOW's world-class researchers to engage with industry. They help 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

Administrative Support:

Lisa King | E: lking@uow.edu.au | T: 4221 5086

	George Tomka- Acting senior manager 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. LinkedIn profile
	Lisa King- Administrative Assistant Lisa in the Innovation and Commercial Research Unit’s first point of contact. Lisa looks after all the administrative tasks for the ICRU and Technology Transfer Office (TTO). When you want to engage with the ICRU contact Lisa on 02 4221 5086 or icr-enquiry@uow.edu.au
	Zahra Shahbazian- Industry Research Manager As an Industry Research 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.
	Jef Pennings- Industry Research Manager As an Industry Research Manager, Jef provides strategic advice on industry research engagement, commercial research, and commercialisation to stakeholders in the University. Jef has a particular interest in med-tech and biological science innovation.
	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.
	Julia Frith- Marketing and Reporting Manager Julia is a marketing and stakeholder engagement expert. As Marketing and Reporting Manager, Julia empowers businesses to harness the power of innovation by marketing the University’s research capabilities to industry primarily through events and digital marketing.
	Deborah Loveday- Industry Research Officer As Industry Research Officer, Deborah support the commercialisation activities and commercial research at UOW. Deb always provides efficient and accurate advice across University policies and procedures to help guide relationships between UOW Researchers and Industry in contract negotiations and intellectual property considerations.
	Robert Beretov- Industry Research Officer As an Industry Research Officer, Robert also provides technical and administrative support for the Innovation and Commercial Research Unit. Robert helps UOW researchers, UOW professional staff, and Industry partners to explore and initiate commercial research opportunities and commercialisation activities.
	Karen McRae- Commercialisation Research Officer Karen develops a process of continuous improvement for the administrative aspects of commercial research at UOW. Karen works closely with external clients, members of academic staff, the Legal Services Unit (LSU), the Financial Services Unit and other Commercial Research Unit (CRU) staff to prepare and negotiate commercial research contracts using UOW’s precedent agreements.
	Brett Weeden- Tender Manager As Tender Manager Brett assists UOW Academics to respond to calls for tenders for contract research and consulting activities (commercial research). He manages an effective administration and promotional process for Commercial Research tender processes to ensure that UOW manages this process efficiently, prepares high quality and competitive tender responses, and ultimately increases its engagement with external clients and UOW’s commercial research income.

The Graduate Research School is dedicated to supporting research students by managing all aspects of candidature, from enrolment to thesis submission and examination.

The GRS team can assist with:

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

Administrative Support:

Toni Bloor | E: tward@uow.edu.au | T: 4221 4833

	Professor Clive Baldock Dean of Graduate Research E: cbaldock@uow.edu.au
	Associate Professor Honglin Chen Associate Dean - Graduate Research View profile T: (02) 4221 3305 E: honglin@uow.edu.au
	Sue Flint Manager- Graduate Research School T: (02) 4221 3479 E: susan_flint@uow.edu.au
	Erin Smith HDR Project & Compliance Officer (Mon - Thur) T: (02) 4221 4323 E: erin_smith@uow.edu.au
	Michelle Kendall HDR Project & Compliance Officer (Fri) HDR Student Management Officer - Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health; Faculty of Business and Law (Mon - Thur) T: (02) 4221 5453 E: michelle_kendall@uow.edu.au
	Alicia Allen HDR Student Management Officer - Australian Institute for Innovative Materials; Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - SMAS, SECTE, SCIT (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri) T: (02) 4221 5454 E: alicia_allen@uow.edu.au
	Enia Caires HDR Student Management Officer - Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - CME, Physics, MMMB (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri) T: (02) 4221 3241 E: enia_caires@uow.edu.au
	Francine Cox HDR Student Management Officer - Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities (Mon – Fri) T: (02) 4221 5558 E: fcox@uow.edu.au
	Kylie Dawson HDR Student Management Officer (Currently on maternity leave) T: (02) 4221 5874 E: kylie_dawson@uow.edu.au
	Ryah Perkiss HDR Student Management Officer – Faculty of Business and Law (SAEF and ANCORS); HDR Student Administration Officer (Tues - Fri) T: (02) 4221 5452 E: ryahp@uow.edu.au
	Erin Sharp HDR Student Administration Officer (Currently on maternity leave) T: (02) 4221 5452 E: emcginn@uow.edu.au
	Tara Edworthy HDR Student Administration Officer (Mon, Tues) T: (02) 4221 5452 E: edworthy@uow.edu.au

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:

info@iaccelerate.com.au | (02) 4239 2150

Administrative Support:

Moira Buckley | E: mbuckley@uow.edu.au | T: 4239 2150

Media enquiries: marketing@iaccelerate.com.au

	Omar Khalifa - Chief Executive Officer, iAccelerate Omar Khalifa is the CEO of iAccelerate, and is driven by fuelling new ideas through innovation and collaboration. Omar has a passion for entrepreneurship particularly in the in the social enterprise and sustainability space and is driven by the possibilities that the interception of creativity and technology can deliver to innovation. T: (02) 4239 2150 E: omark@uow.edu.au
	Genevieve Gatt -Marketing Communications and Events Manager Phone: (02) 4252 8878 Email: gatt@uow.edu.au
	Chris Petersilge - Ecosystem Evangelist Chris manages iAccelerate’s strategic projects, operations, and business development. He has led the development of the Bega Valley Innovation Hub, iAccelerate’s blended learning program to bring entrepreneurship education to regional Australia, and iAccelerate’s Innovation Network of international partners. E: cpetersi@uow.edu.au
	John Kerr - Program Manager As program manager John is responsible for the relationship management and execution of startup engagement at iAccelerate from pre-program entry (recruiting & pipeline management), their journey through the program, and post-program support. Phone: (02) 4239 2150 Email: johnk@uow.edu.au
	Aroha Cockburn- Project Manager The project manager role is to drive the implementation and embedding processes for tools that will help our start-ups and entrepreneurs succeed in their business. This could range from software and applications to providing standardised and accessible education programs for our entire innovation network. T: (02) 4221 3410 E: aroha@uow.edu.au
	Moira Buckley - Office Manager and Executive Assistant As Executive Assistant to the CEO, Moira manages diary, travel and visitors, and executive administrative support. Her duties as Office Manager includes managing visitors and contractors to the building, accounts payable and receivable, IMTS and records management, reception supervision and support, administrative and project support to the staff at iAccelerate. T: (02) 4239 2150 E: mbuckley@uow.edu.au
	Jonathan Chicharo - Administrative Assistant Jonathan assists in the execution of administrative, operational and office management roles. T: (02) 4221 2150 E: jchichar@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: joannaha@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:

emcmahon@uow.edu.au | (02) 4221 3827

Administrative Support:

Narelle Badger | E: nbadger@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

Administrative Support:

Stuart Creal | E: screal@uow.edu.au | T: 4286 5036

Research Services Office

Research Services Office Director and support team
Research grants
Ethics & integrity
Research analytics, systems and support team
Research promotions & marketing team

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: sharonma@uow.edu.au

Assistant to the Director Sharon Martin
Julie Evans
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

T: (02) 4221 3386
E: research-services@uow.edu.au

Assistant to the Director
Karla House
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

T: (02) 4221 3386
E: research-services@

	Stefan Delfgou - Senior manager, 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: stefand@uow.edu.au
	Lucas Hughes - Grants manager Co-ordination of external and internal research funding initiatives. Strategic advice to clients applying for research funds. Executive support to Resources and Allocation Working Party. Post-award grant management. T: (02) 4221 4522 E: lucash@uow.edu.au
	Karen Lovasz- 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) 4252 8218 E: klovasz@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: nmurfitt@uow.edu.au
	Stewart Wallace- 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: (02) 4221 4648 E: swallace@uow.edu.au
	Rochelle Waren - Grants development officer Administer external and internal research funding initiatives. Key grant contact for Faculty of Business and Law (BAL). Post-award grant management. T: (02) 4221 4726 E: rwaren@uow.edu.au
	Dr Thomas Griffiths- Major Research Initiatives 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 5091 E: thomasg@uow.edu.au
	Louise Vandenberg - 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: louisemc@uow.edu.au

	Eve Steinke - Manager research ethics & integrity Oversees and provides executive support to the Ethics Unit, and Ethics Committees. T: (02) 4221 4457 E: eves@uow.edu.au
	Aimee Wall - Senior Integrity & Ethics officer T: (02) 4221 5014 E: awall@uow.edu.au
	Penny Potter - Ethics officer Executive support to Ethics Committees. First contact for: Animal Ethics Committee and Gene Technology Review Committee. T: (02) 4221 3350 E: pennyp@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: saraht@uow.edu.au
	Michael Di Leo - Research ethics officer Supports human research ethics comittees. E: mdleo@uow.edu.au
	Sabine Holz - Ethics assistant General ethics enquiries, provide administrative support to the HREC Committees, maintains ethics database, filing and document tracking systems. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday T: (02) 4221 3773 E: sholz@uow.edu.au
	Lil Miller - Ethics assistant General ethics enquiries, provide administrative support to the HREC Committees, maintains ethics database, filing and document tracking systems. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

	Dr Richard Cook - Program manager, Research Analytics, Systems and Support T: (02) 4221 4955 E: cookr@uow.edu.au
	Claire Carter - Research reporting and analytics manager T: (02) 4221 4349 E: ccarter@uow.edu.au
	Ann Hollifield- Manager, Research Business Applications Phone: (02) 4221 4901 Email: ahollifi@uow.edu.au
	Lia Sherwood - Research development and impact manager Phone: (02) 4221 4097 Email: sherwood@uow.edu.au
	Monika Oakman - Research systems analyst T: (02) 4221 4669 E: moakman@uow.edu.au
	Rachel Nacilla - Research systems analyst T: (02) 4221 5751 E: rachel_nacilla@uow.edu.au
	Abhilash Vijayan - HDR student systems project officer T: (02) 4221 3208 E: abhilash@uow.edu.au

Vicky Wallace - Research promotions manager
Manages Research and Innovation website, content for research publications, and social media.
Manages key research events, and helps build strategic research partnerships.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

T: (02) 4221 4126
E: vwallace@uow.edu.au

Carly Burns - Research promotions officer
Develop, design and produce content for research publications, website and social media. RSO and industry website development and content management, coordinate and execute research events and promotional activity.

T: (02) 4221 5894
E: bcarly@uow.edu.au

Contact the Research Services Office

(02) 4221 3386 research-services@uow.edu.au