Our People

Laboratory Director

Dr Andrew Harris

Andrew joined the University of Sydney at the start of 2004 from Cambridge University in the UK where he worked for six years in the Department of Chemical Engineering. He is interested in developing cutting edge technologies to assist with the transition to sustainability, and believes that a multidisciplinary approach to this research is essential to achieve high quality outcomes.

Andrew enjoys riding his bike to work (even in Sydney), skiing, swimming and surfing and is eagerly awaiting the day when somebody, somewhere hosts a chemical engineering conference in Geneva during the ski season.

Research Staff

Nic Florin, Postdoctoral Researcher

"Selective generation of hydrogen from biomass fuels"

Nic joined us as a Sydney University UPA PhD scholar in 2004 after completing his undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering and Anthropology at Sydney. He submitted his PhD in 2007 and is now continuing his research on the development of tailored nano-porous sorbents for CO₂ capture during biomass gasification, as part of a larger project on the selective generation of hydrogen from biomass and waste fuels funded by the Australian Research Council.

Andrew Maddocks, Postdoctoral Researcher

"Development of smart membranes for hydrogen separation"

Andrew joined us as a Loxton Scholar from industry in 2004. He completed his undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at the University of Newcastle, Australia in 2002, where he graduated with first class honours. Andrew is developing techniques to synthesize tailored silicon carbide nanoporous materials for his PhD (which he submitted in early 2008), as part of a larger project on the selective generation of hydrogen from biomass and waste fuels funded by the Australian Research Council.

Susie Wood, PhD Candidate
"Combustion of mine ventilation air methane using porous burners"

Susie joined us in 2005 from Cambridge University in the UK following a spell in industry. She is working on an Australian Coal Association (ACARP) funded project to develop greenhouse gas mitigation technologies for underground coal mines. Susie was awarded a Sydney University Chemical Engineering Scholarship for the duration of her studies.

Susie also has special talents as a paddler. In 2007 she was a member of the medal winning Australian crew at the World Dragon Boat Championships.

Kenneth See, PhD Candidate
"Carbon nanoparticle synthesis using fluidised bed"

Kenneth joined us in 2005 as an Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Student (EIPRS) scholar from the University of NSW where he graduated with first class honours in Chemical Engineering. His work covers a broad area ranging from carbon nanotube characterisation and synthesis to fluidisation studies using spectral techniques. Besides developing technology for the large-scale synthesis of carbon nanotubes, he enjoys reading literature, economics, and world affairs.

Roza Bali, PhD Candidate
"Phytosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles"

Roza joined us in 2005 from the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology in India where she completed a Masters in Biotechnology. Roza is developing novel synthesis routes for precious metal nanoparticles using plants, and was awarded the prestigious Richard Claude Mankin Scholarship for her work, in late 2005.

Jun Liu, PhD Candidate
"Large scale synthesis of spiral carbon nanotubes"

Jun joined us in 2005 from the East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai where she completed a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and was ranked in the top 10 in her graduating class (of 325). Jun is developing a process to synthesize spiral carbon nanotubes using fluidised bed chemical vapour deposition and was awarded a Sydney University Chemical Engineering Scholarship for the duration of her studies.

Zhao Ming, PhD Candidate
"Enhanced hydrogen synthesis from biomass and waste fuels"

Simon joined us in 2006 from Tsinghua University, Beijing, where he completed a Masters in Environmental Engineering. He is one of the first students to study at the University of Sydney under the prestigious China Scholarship Council Postgraduate Research Studentship scheme. Simon is researching the synthesis of hydrogen from biomass and waste fuels using fluidised bed reactors.

Zhang Wei, PhD Candidate

"Process Intensification of fluidised bed reactors"

Wei joined us in 2006 following the completion of his Masters of Engineering Studies at the University of Sydney. He also holds joint bachelors degrees in Arts and Science from the Harbin Institute of Technology, China. Wei is researching the process intensification of fluidised bed reactors for his PhD.

Oscar Dunens, PhD Candidate

"Large scale carbon nanotube synthesis"

Oscar joined us in 2007 following the completion of his undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering and Commerce at the University of Sydney. In the picture, Oscar is the one on the left...

Kieran Mackenzie, PhD Candidate

"Large scale carbon nanotube synthesis"

Kieran worked on his undergraduate project with the LST in 2006 and then started a PhD in the same area in 2007. One summer a couple of years ago, Kieran worked in a brewery. Apparently he didn't enjoy it very much.

Audra Lukman, Laboratory Manager (and PhD candidate)

"Biological factories for precious metal nanoparticle synthesis"

Audra joined us in 2007 to assist with the running of the laboratory, and then started a PhD in 2008. She holds double B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and in Materials Science & Engineering, from the University of California at Berkeley.

Catharine Tierney, PhD Candidate

"Development of tailored nanoporous materials"

Catharine joined us from industry in late 2007. She completed her undergraduate studies with first class honours in Materials Engineering and with distinction in Physics at the University of Wollongong in 2004. Catharine is researching materials design for porous burners, which are being developed as a greenhouse gas mitigation technology for coal mine ventilation air. She is funded by an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA).

Rowan Braham, PhD Candidate

"Development of tailored nanoporous materials"

Rowan joined us in 2008 following the completion of a Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Science at the University of Sydney. Rowan is designing reactors for the synthesis of hydrogen using biomimical water splitting catalysts, and is funded by an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA).

Shriniwas Deshpande, PhD Candidate

"Low temperature synthesis of carbon nanotubes"

Shriniwas joined the LST in 2008 from the University Of Auckland where he received his BE in Chemical & Materials Engineering. He is researching several new techniques to manufacture carbon nanotubes in large quantities. In his spare time he enjoys officiating at tennis events, including line umpiring at the ASB Classic (a WTA event), the Heineken Open (an ATP event) and some ITF Juniors. We expect to see Shriniwas on the television at the Australian Open next year.

Xiao Liang, PhD Candidate

"Development of tailored nanoporous materials"

Xiao Liang joined us in 2008 following the completion of his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and Technology at Xiamen University, China. For his PhD Xiao is researching the chemical upgrading of biomass and coal feedstocks to valuable chemicals using supercritical and near supercritical water reaction systems. His project is a collaboration with Prof Brian Haynes and Dr Alejandro Montoya which involves experimentation as well as computational modelling.

Meilina Widyawati, Masters Candidate

"Biomass derived hydrogen production"

Meilina is working with us for 1 year researching the synthesis of hydrogen from biomass feedstocks, as part of her Masters degree at the University of Sydney. Meilina was awarded the prestigious Asian Development Bank Scholarship for her Master course.

Kefeng Xiao, Masters Candidate

"Microwave hydrothermal carbon nanotube synthesis"

Kefeng is working with us for 1 year researching the low temperature synthesis of carbon nanotubes using microwave reactors, as part of his Masters degree at the University of Sydney.

Ming Low, Undergraduate Researcher

"Carbon nanotube synthesis from liquid carbon precursors"

Ming worked with us on a summer vacation scholarship and is continuing his research for his honours thesis in chemical engineering during 2008.

Visiting scholars

Associate Prof. Zeheng Yang, Hefei University of Technology

"Development of tailored nanoporous CO₂ sorbents"

Associate Prof. Yang joined us in 2008 from Hefei University of Technology, China, as a visiting scholar sponsored by China Scholarship Council. He is researching on the synthesis of mesoporous sorbents and catalysts for selective generation of hydrogen from carbonaceous feedstocks.

Prof. Stephen Joseph, UNSW

"Ultra-lean methane combustion in porous burners"

Stephen is an internationally renowned expert in the development of renewable energy technologies, and is working on the development of advanced porous burner technology for ultra-lean methane combustion. In his spare time he enjoys Taiko drumming.

Prof. Kazuhiko Murakami, Tokyo Metropolitan University

"Hydrogen from biomass fuels"

Support staff

Dennis Trevaskis, Workshop Manager

Dennis has worked at the University of Sydney for almost 20 years, and recently joined the LST to manage the construction of new experimental equipment.

Matthew Simmons, Editorial Assistant

Matt is a second year undergraduate at Sydney studying chemical engineering and English. He works part time as an editor on journal manuscripts prepared by members of the LST.

Adrian Dawson, Mechanical and Design Engineer

Adrian works across projects to ensure that the reactors we design and build are mechanically viable.

Jeffrey Shi, Analytical Laboratory Manager

Jeffrey runs the School's analytical laboratory, and has special responsibility for the maintenance of our TGA-MS system, laser particle size analyser, microwave synthesis system, ICP-AAS, ion chromatography system, pore size analyser and gas chromatographs.