Research and innovation team
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."
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
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Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Professor Jennifer L Martin AC Senior Executive Assistant Tracy Panton T: (02) 4221 3915 |
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Director, Research Services Office |
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Executive Assistant to the Director Sharon Martin Julie Evans T: (02) 4221 3386 |
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Executive Assistant to the Director Sharon Martin Karla House T: (02) 4221 3386 |
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Dean of Graduate Research T: (02) 4221 4033
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Associate Dean - Graduate Research T: (02) 4221 3305 |
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Assistant to Dean and Associate Dean T: (02) 4221 4833 |
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(Acting) Senior Manager, Innovation & Commercial Research Assistant to Senior Manager T: (02) 4221 5086 |
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Chief Executive Officer, iAccelerate Assistant to Director T: (02) 4239 2150 |
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Executive Director, Global Challenges Program T: (02) 4221 5753 Assistant to Director T: (02) 4221 4261 |
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Executive Director, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM) Assistant to Director T: (02) 4221 5352 |
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Director, Science Space Assistant to Director T: (02) 4286 5000 |
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CEO and Executive Director, Illawarra Health & Medical Reserach Institute (IHMRI) Assistant to Director T: (02) 4221 3871 |
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
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
- Olivier 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
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
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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:
Graduate Research School E: graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au T: (02) 4221 5452
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Professor Clive Baldock Dean of Graduate Research T: (02) 4221 4833 |
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Associate Professor Honglin Chen Associate Dean - Graduate Research T: (02) 4221 3305 |
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Toni Bloor Assistant to Dean and Associate Dean T: (02) 4221 4833 |
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Dr Melissa Thompson Director, Graduate Research School T: (02) 4221 3479 |
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Erin Smith HDR Project and Compliance Officer T: (02) 4221 4323 |
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Abhilash Vijayan - HDR student systems project officer |
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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 |
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Enia Caires HDR Student Management Officer - Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - CME, Physics, MMMB (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri) T: (02) 4221 3241 |
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Francine Cox HDR Student Management Officer - Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities T: (02) 4221 5558 |
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Kylie Dawson HDR Student Management Officer - Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (Mon, Tues & Fri) T: (02) 4221 5874 |
Faculty of Business and Law HDR Student Management Officers (see contact details above) – School of Accounting, Economics and Finance - Alicia Allen |
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Erin Sharp HDR Student Administration Officer (Mon, Tue & Thu) T: (02) 4221 5452 |
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
Media enquiries: marketing@iaccelerate.com.au
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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 |
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Genevieve Gatt -Marketing Communications and Events Manager T: (02) 4252 8878 |
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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. |
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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. T: (02) 4239 2150 |
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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.
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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
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)
General enquiries:
Innovation Campus | AIIM Facility | Building 231 | Squires Way | North Wollongong NSW 2500| Australia
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
Research Services Office
- Research Services Office Director and support team
- Research grants
- Ethics & integrity
- Research analytics, systems and support team
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Director, Research Services Office Manages research grants, ethics and data information. Strategic research planning, promotion and reporting. Executive support to University Research Committee. |
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Assistant to the Director Sharon Martin |
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Assistant to the Director T: (02) 4221 3386 |
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Stefan Delfgou - Senior Manager, Research Grants & Development T: (02) 4221 5953 |
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Lucas Hughes - Manager ARC & Non-Medical Grants |
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Karen Lovasz- Manager NHMRC & Medical Grants |
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Nicole Murfitt - Research Grants and Development Officer T: (02) 4221 5118 |
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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.
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Rochelle Waren - Grants development officer |
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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 |
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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 |
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Eve Steinke - Manager Research Ethics & Integrity |
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Aimee Wall - Senior Integrity & Ethics Officer T: (02) 4221 5014 |
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Ryah Perkiss - Research Integrity Officer T: (02) 4221 5452 |
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Sarah Toole - Animal Welfare Officer |
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Michael Di Leo - Research Ethics Officer E: mdleo@uow.edu.au |
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Rochelle Waren - Ethics Officer |
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Sabine Holz - Ethics Assistant |
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Lil Miller - Ethics Assistant T: (02) 4221 5504 |
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Claire Carter - Program Manager, Research Analytics, Systems and Support T: (02) 4221 4349 |
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Ann Hollifield- Research Business Applications Manager T: (02) 4221 4901 |
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Lia Sherwood - Research Development and Impact Manager T: (02) 4221 4097
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Monika Oakman - Research Systems Analyst |
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Rachel Nacilla - Research Systems Analyst T: (02) 4221 5751 |
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Aran Chevalier- Research Systems Analyst T: (02) 4221 5910 |
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Carly Burns - Research Promotions Support Officer T: (02) 4221 5894 |