Research and innovation team

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

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

Assistant to the Director Sharon Martin
Karla House
Currently on leave
T: (02) 4221 3386
E: research-services@uow.edu.au

Dean of Graduate Research
Professor Clive Baldock
T: (02) 4221 4033
E: cbaldock@uow.edu.au

Associate Dean - Graduate Research
Associate Professor Honglin Chen
View profile
T: (02) 4221 3305
E: honglin@uow.edu.au

Assistant to Dean and 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
Vacant
T:  (02) 4239 2150

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 for 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

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
• 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

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.

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

Professor Clive Baldock
Dean of Graduate Research
T: (02) 4221 4833
E: cbaldock@uow.edu.au

Associate Professor Honglin Chen
Associate Dean - Graduate Research
View profile
T: (02) 4221 3305
E: honglin@uow.edu.au

Toni Bloor
Assistant to Dean and Associate Dean
T: (02) 4221 4833
E: toni_bloor@uow.edu.au

Dr Melissa Thompson
Director, Graduate Research School
T: (02) 4221 3479
E: melissa@uow.edu.au

Erin Smith
HDR Project and Compliance Officer
T: (02) 4221 4323
E: erin_smith@uow.edu.au

Abhilash Vijayan - HDR student systems project officer
T: (02) 4221 3208
E: abhilash@uow.edu.au 

Alicia Allen
HDR Student Management Officer
T: (02) 4221 5454
E: graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au

Enia Caires 
HDR Student Management Officer
T: (02) 4221 3241
E: graduate-research-school@uow.edu.au

Kylie Dawson 
HDR Student Management Officer
T: (02) 4221 5874
E: graduate-research-school@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

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
T: (02) 4252 8878
E: 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.
T: (02) 4239 2150
E: 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

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:

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

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

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

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 - Manager ARC & Non-Medical Grants
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 - Manager NHMRC & Medical Grants
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

Leonie Clement - Research Grants and 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 4540
E: leoniec@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 - 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: eves@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: sholz@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: lmason@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 - Ethics Officer
Executive Support for the high risk Human Research Ethics Committees.
T: (02) 4239 2191
E: mdleo@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: rwaren@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: awall@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: ryahp@uow.edu.au

Claire Carter - Program Manager, Research Analytics, Systems and Support
T: (02) 4221 4349
E: ccarter@uow.edu.au

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

Lia Sherwood - Research Development and Impact Manager
T: (02) 4221 4097
E: 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

Aran Chevalier- Research Systems Analyst
T: (02) 4221 5910
E: aran@uow.edu.au

Carly Burns - Research Promotions Support Officer
T: (02) 4221 5894
E: bcarly@uow.edu.au

Willo Boniface - Research Reporting and Analytics Manager
T: (02) 4221 3965
E: willob@uow.edu.au