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 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 (GRS) is dedicated to supporting Higher Degree Research (HDR) 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.

GRS can assist with many facets of Higher Degree Research, including:

• Candidate management
• Scholarships and internships
• Thesis submission and examination
• Data and information systems
• Policy and procedures
• Training and development
• Supervisory development
• Supervision

Meet the GRS team

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Engagement), Dr Paul Di Pietro, will cultivate a thriving ecosystem for research knowledge exchange and translation, as well as entrepreneurship at UOW.

Through strategic initiatives and collaboration with industry, the Pro Vice-Chancellor will drive engagement, foster innovation and facilitate professional development. Dr Paul Di Pietro leads UOW's Business Engagement and Outreach Network, its Research Infrastructure Advisory Group, and coordinates its Defence Research activities.

UOW's business accelerator and incubator iAccelerate and the Innovation and Commercial Research Unit reports to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Engagement).

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.

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  

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

Rebecca Duldig - Business Development and Initiatives Manager
E: rebecca_duldig@uow.edu.au  

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

Denny Nesbitt - Entrepreneurship Learning Specialist
E: denny_nesbitt@uow.edu.au 

Samuel Green - Engagement and Support Officer
E: samuel_green@uow.edu.au

David Malins - Education and Learning Coordinator
E: david_malins@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

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 
E: research-grants@uow.edu.au  

Lucas Hughes - Manager ARC & Non-Medical Grants
Responsible for the pre- and post-award management of grants including  coordinating critical submission processes, negotiation of grant agreements with funding agencies, industry partners and other organisations, and ensuring that grant holders meet funding agency reporting requirements. Identification and promotion of funding opportunities and providing strategic advice to UOW staff on the development of their research proposals.
T: (02) 4221 4522
E: lucas_hughes@uow.edu.au 
E: research-grants@uow.edu.au 

Nicole Murfitt - Research Grants and Development Officer
ARC and Non-Medical Grants
Administer external and university-based research grant schemes and promote funding opportunities and providing strategic advice to academic staff on the development of their research proposals. Post-award management of grants including negotiation of agreements with funding agencies, industry partners and other organisations, and ensuring that grant holders meet funding agency reporting requirements.
T: (02) 4221 5118
E: nicole_murfitt@uow.edu.au 
E: research-grants@uow.edu.au 

Louise Vandenberg - Research Grants and Development Officer
ARC and Non-Medical Grants
Administer external and university-based research grant schemes and promote funding opportunities and providing strategic advice to academic staff on the development of their research proposals. Post-award management of grants including negotiation of agreements with funding agencies, industry partners and other organisations, and ensuring that grant holders meet funding agency reporting requirements. 
T: (02) 4239 4182
E: louise_vandenberg@uow.edu.au  
E: research-grants@uow.edu.au 

Dr Thomas Griffiths - Manager, Major Research Investments
Coordination and management of strategic and major research investments. Strategic advice for applications to specialist and strategic research programs from the ARC, NHRMC, MRFF, government and international funders. Post-award grant management.
T: (02) 4221 5091
E: thomas_griffiths@uow.edu.au  
E: research-majorgrants@uow.edu.au 

Nikolina Panovski - Major Research Investments Officer
Support for major funding bids of large, specialist and strategic research programs from the ARC, NHRMC, MRFF, federal and state governments and international funders. Support for internal major research programs and funding initiatives. Post-award grant management for ongoing administration of funded projects.
T: (02) 4221 4551
E: nikolina_panovski@uow.edu.au 
E: research-majorgrants@uow.edu.au

Kim Gray - Major Research Investments Officer
Support for major funding bids for specialist and strategic research programs from the ARC, NHRMC, MRFF, federal and state governments and international funders. Support for internal major research programs and funding initiatives. Post-award grant management for ongoing administration of funded projects.
T: (02) 4221 4946
E: kim_gray@uow.edu.au
E: research-majorgrants@uow.edu.au

Dr Monica Birrento - Manager - NHMRC & Medical Grants
Co-ordinate external and internal health and medical research funding initiatives. Strategic advice to clients applying for research funds. Post-award grant management.
T: (02) 4239 2280
E: monica_birrento@uow.edu.au
E: rao-uow@uow.edu.au  

Gurleen Kaur - Research Grants and Development Officer
NHMRC & Medical Grants
Administer external and university-based research grant schemes and promote funding opportunities and providing strategic advice to academic staff on the development of their research proposals. Post-award management of grants including negotiation of agreements with funding agencies, industry partners and other organisations, and ensuring that grant holders meet funding agency reporting requirements.
T: (02) 4239 4112
E: gurleen_kaur@uow.edu.au
E: rao-uow@uow.edu.au

Lisa Speelman - Research Grants Administrator
This position's primary purpose is to provide administrative 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
E: lisa_speelman@uow.edu.au 
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  

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

Della Carmichael -  Research Reporting and Analytics Manager
T: (02) 4239 2254
E: della_carmichael@uow.edu.au 

Murray Green - Research Performance Analyst 
E: murray_green@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

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

Laura Chekli - Faculty Research Operations Coordinator
T: (02) 4221 3347
E: research-operations@uow.edu.au 

Christine Russell - Faculty Research Operations Coordinator
T: (02) 4221 3107
E: research-operations@uow.edu.au 

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

Carla Wiehahn - Faculty Research Operations Coordinator
T: (02) 4239 2032
E: research-operations@uow.edu.au

Karla House - Administration Officer
E: research-operations@uow.edu.au