Research and Sustainable Futures team

Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin

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

Director, Research Services Office
Sharon Martin
Manages research grants and development, research operations 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

   
Director, Graduate Research School
Matthew Perry
T: (02) 4221 3479
E: matthew_perry@uow.edu.au 

Administrative Support:
Executive Assistant to Graduate Research Leadership Team
Sachi Yasuda
T: (02) 4252 8505
E: sachi_yasuda@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 

Executive Assistant, iAccelerate
Crystal Mahfouz
E: crystal_mahfouz@uow.edu.au

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

Deputy Dean of Researcher Development
Professor Honglin Chen
T: (02) 4221 3305
E: honglin_chen@uow.edu.au 

Dean of Researcher Integrity Development and Ethics
Associate Professor Susan Thomas
T: (02) 4221 5928 
E: susan_thomas@uow.edu.au  

Executive Director, UOW Research Platforms
Associate Professor Germanas Peleckis
T: (02) 42215728
E: germanas_peleckis@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

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

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. 

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Distinguished Professor Sharon Robinson AM
Dean of Researcher Development
T: (02) 4221 5753
E: sharon_robinson@uow.edu.au
View profile

Tanya Barton-Saad
Executive Assistant to
Dean of Researcher Development
T: (02) 4221 5401
E: tanya_barton-saad@uow.edu.au 

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

General enquiries |
researcher-development@uow.edu.au

Brondalie Martin – Researcher Development Coordinator
T: (02) 4221 5012
E: brondalie_martin@uow.edu.au

Emily Keough – Researcher Development Coordinator
T: (02) 4221 5921
E: emily_keough@uow.edu.au

Rachel Sherwood – Researcher Development Officer
T: (02) 4239 2138
E: rachel_sherwood@uow.edu.au

Sharon Athanasios – Researcher Development Coordinator
T: (02) 4221 5061
E: sharon_athanasios@uow.edu.au 

Tanya Barton-Saad – Executive Assistant
T: (02) 4221 5401
E: tanya_barton-saad@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 2.205
University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia

globalchallenges@uow.edu.au 

Find out more about the Global Challenges Program

Dean of Research Integrity Development and Ethics
Associate Professor Susan Thomas aims to promote and foster an inclusive culture of responsible research.

Key focus areas include; research integrity; human ethics; animal ethics; gene technology and biosafety; defence export controls and training and outreach in these areas.

T: (02) 4221 5928
E: susan_thomas@uow.edu.au 

Lil Miller
Executive Assistant to
Dean, Research Integrity Development and Ethics
T: (02) 4221 5504
E: lil_miller@uow.edu.au  

Aimee Wall - Associate Director, Research Integrity & Ethics (Interim)
Strategic direction of Research Integrity and Ethics unit activities; Integrity and Ethics policy and training development; Research Integrity queries Defence Export Controls and Sanctions permit applications.
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 and Executive Assistant
General ethics enquiries, provides administrative support to the weekly HREC meetings, maintains ethics database, filing and document tracking systems. Executive support for Research Integrity Committee.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and 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; First contact for Defence Export Controls and Sanctions permit applications.
T: (02) 4221 4607
E: ryah_perkiss@uow.edu.au 

Rhia Bennett - Research Integrity and Compliance Officer
Research integrity compliance and researcher training.
T: (02) 4239 3535
E: rbennett@uow.edu.au

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

Silvana Della Penna - Post Award and Medical Grants Officer
Administer a range of external and university-based research grant schemes and enhance the ability of academic staff to secure, accept and manage competitive research funding. Identify and promote funding opportunities and provide strategic advice to individual academic staff on the development of their research proposals. Coordinate the post-award management of grants including negotiation of agreements with funding agencies, industry partners and other organisations.
E: silvana_dellapenna@uow.edu.au 
E: rao-uow@uow.edu.au

Benoit Passot - Post-Award and Agreement Coordinator
Administer a range of external and university-based research grant schemes and to implement the agreements required to commence projects. The position coordinates the 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.
E: benoit_passot@uow.edu.au 
E: research-grants@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 

Rebecca Clark - Tenders and Contracts Officer
As Tenders and Contracts Officer, Rebecca 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. Rebecca 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. Rebecca also assists the Commercial Contracts team with processing of Contract Research, Consultancy, Collaboration and other template Agreements as required.
T: (02) 4239 3230
E: rebecca_clark@uow.edu.au 

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

Dr Willo Boniface - Research Reporting and Analytics Manager
T: (02) 42213965
E: willo_boniface@uow.edu.au

Penny Cross - Research Data Services Manager
T: (02) 4221 3176
E: penny_cross@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

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 

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