Our Students

PhD Student
Max Lavaill
Hidden element
“Investigation on patient-specific features of shoulder MSK modelling. Study of an MRI-based EMG-driven model.”
Max is doing his PhD through the ARCITTC-JB at QUASR/QUT. His expertise is in the analysis of soft tissues actions implied in shoulder stability and motion. Computational modelling as well as human kinematics and EMG recordings are the key tools he works with. His project focuses on studying the influence of patient-specific modelling features on the joint simulations.

PhD Student
Xiaolong Fan
Hidden element
“Evaluation of proximal humerus bone density on implant fixation in Shoulder Arthroplasty”
Xiaolong is our PhD student in shoulder biomechanics at QUT. He takes a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses the modelling and experiment to support surgery selecting suitable implant for independent patients basic on CT image. He holds master’s degree from QUT which focused on understanding of biomechanical properties of red kangaroo shoulder humeral cartilage.’

PhD Student
Asawari Parulekar
Hidden element
“Exploring the role of mechanotransduction in producing inferior surgical outcomes for aged patients with Rotator Cuff Tears (RCTs)”.
Asawari is currently undertaking her PhD with ARCITTC-JB at UQ. She entered the fields of biomechanics & regenerative medicine as a research assistant during her time as an undergraduate Chemical and Biological Engineer. Her current research in interfacial tissue engineering investigates the complexities of attaching mechanically mismatched, soft (tendon) and hard tissues (bone) from a cell biological lens. Her project focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which cells respond to mechanical cues in the context of ageing tissues within the human shoulder.

PhD Student
Yilan Zhang
Hidden element
“Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols and analysis pipelines for automated reconstruction of shoulder anatomy.”
Yilan is a first-year PhD student in biomedical engineering at UNSW. Her main research interest centres around image-based anatomical modelling of human shoulder muscles. Her PhD project aims to develop magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols and analysis pipelines for automated reconstruction of shoulder anatomy. Using statistical shape modelling techniques, population-representative three-dimensional shoulder models will be generated that can be used in computational models of the shoulder.

PhD Student
Arun Jolly
Hidden element
“Relating anatomy, laxity and stability of the glenohumeral joint”.
Arun is currently undertaking his PhD within the Training Centre, based at QUT.
Arun is a Mechanical Engineer with postgraduate degree in Mechanical Design Engineering from Deakin University, Australia and an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mahatma Gandhi University, India. He has experience in numerical modelling and experimental studies for various different mechanical engineering applications. Arun’s PhD project focuses on exploring the relationship between anatomy, laxity, and stability of the glenohumeral joint across the population to assist with developing improved shoulder reconstruction planning, surgical procedure and rehabilitation.

PhD Student
Morgan Windsor
Hidden element
“High precision robotic surgery for the shoulder”.
Morgan is currently undertaking his PhD within the Training Centre and QUT’s Centre for Robotics.
Morgan completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) at QUT and has a background in industry as an electrical engineer. Morgan’s research interests include developing enabling technologies to provide tools to assist surgeons in precisely executing preoperative plans.

PhD Student
Ahmed Sewify
Hidden element
“Automatic Advanced Ultrasound Imaging-Based Tomographic Dynamic Tracking of Shoulder Bony Structures”.
Ahmed is currently undertaking his PhD within the Training Centre, based at QUT’s Faculty of Health.
Ahmed graduated with a Master of Engineering (Electrical) and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechatronics) from QUT. He has real-world experience as a Mechatronics Engineer at five different companies (BiVACOR, AOS, KIW, QUT and Netaware) working on task automation, computer vision, AutoCAD, GUI designs, web development and product design. His current project is focused on improving the availability, quality and understanding of 3D physical body structures, in particular the shoulder, by reconstructing 3D ultrasound images directly from raw channel transducer array data. Ahmed hopes to employ ultrasound imaging in a way that revolutionizes existing medical imaging techniques, increasing their field of view, speed, safety and dynamism.

PhD Student
Sepideh Shemshad
Hidden element
Sepideh is currently undertaking her PhD with ARCITTC-JB at UQ. Her project aims to develop a delivery platform for controlled release of biochemical signals for rotator cuff tissue regeneration. Sepideh completed her Master of Science at Iran University of science and Technology in Biomaterial Engineering, where her research was focused on Fabrication and Characterization of Scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
Moreover, she worked as a Research Assistant at Sabanci University in Turkey, where she focused on fabrication of polymeric nanofibers and nanotubes for sustained and targeted drug delivery.

PhD Student
Hossein Ahmadi
Hidden element
Hossein is a PhD candidate in the Prince of Wales Clinical School at Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales.
His project aims to develop a 3D finite element model of the shoulder muscles to examine the effects of soft tissue tensioning and muscle activation on joint loading and stability. With a MSc degree at University of Tehran focusing on Injury Biomechanics, He joined University of Technology Sydney as a Research Assistant working on Inertial Microfluidics with the potential application in disease diagnostics.
He has a strong foundation and high level of expertise in Computational Modelling and Simulation across different industries.

PhD Student
Jinshuai Bai
Hidden element
Jinshuai is a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Yuantong Gu at QUT. He has finished his master by research degree at QUT, majoring in data-driven computational mechanics.
Currently, he is investigating the possibility of combination of deep learning techniques and computational mechanics for biomechanics applications. Jinshuai has been working on computational mechanics for many years. He has solid foundations for mechanics and good experiences in various computational methods.

PhD Student
Amy Ma
Hidden element
“Transcranial magnetic stimulation and neuromuscular control of the shoulder.”
Amy is a PhD student within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the Faculty of Health & Behavioural Science at the University of Queensland and has a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Canberra. Her current research is focused on using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Electromyography (EMG) data, to explore the central mechanisms of neuromuscular control in patients with healthy and/or pathological shoulders..

PhD Student
François Bruyer-Montéléone
Hidden element
“Development of a musculoskeletal modelling platform for simulating pathological conditions of the shoulder joint.”
François will conduct his PhD within the School of Mechanical, Medical & Process Engineering at QUT with Prof Peter Pivonka. His research is focused on developing a musculoskeletal modelling platform for simulating pathological conditions of the shoulder joint with an aim to better understand the effect of muscle architecture changes on shoulder kinematics & kinetics after surgical intervention.
Our Alumni

POST-DOC FELLOW
Hidden element
Maria is a research fellow in the School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering and a research engineer in the School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics, at the Queensland University of Technology. Her research is focused on advanced tissue recognition methods, such as deep learning techniques, for the automatic interpretation of medical imaging.
Maria is currently also a QUT PhD candidate in the Medical Robotics Group at the QUT, focusing on automatic image analysis to provide surgical guidance to autonomous robots in the framework of minimally invasive surgery. Prior to her PhD candidature, she received her BEng. in Engineering Sciences from the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy) in 2014 and MEng. in Biomechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Delft (The Netherlands) in 2016.

Centre Administration Officer
Sophia Power
Hidden element
Before joining the team Sophia worked as an Employee Services Assistant in Human Resources at the University Queensland. Prior to that Sophia worked as an Administration, Communications and Events Officer at the University of Melbourne, in both the Chancellery (Research and Enterprise) and the Indigenous Knowledge Institute.

Post-Doc Fellow
Jing Peng
Hidden element
Dr. Jing Peng works as a Research Fellow in Robotic Surgery within Program 2. Her research interests include computer vision, machine learning, robotics and pneumatic control. Jing completed her BEng in Measurement, Control Technology and Instruments and her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Tsinghua University. During her PhD studies, she also carried out research in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of New South Wales as a Professional Practicum student. After graduation from Tsinghua University she worked at the University of Hong Kong as a Post-doctoral Fellow in Surgical Robotics and Soft Robotics. In 2019 she joined QUT as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Design Robotics for Advanced Manufacturing. Jing has several patents granted to her and she has published articles in materials and processing technologies, soft robotics and surgical robotics.

PhD Student
Michael Lennon
Hidden element
“Developing 3-dimensional statistical shape models that represent the natural variability of the human shoulder joint across populations. Examine applications of statistical shape models to enhance planning for shoulder joint replacement surgery. Exploring the use of population representative statistical shape models for in-silico implant trials to improve the design cycle of the artificial shoulder prosthesis”.
Mike is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, and a first year PhD student at QUT, with an interest in the improvement of patient outcomes from joint replacement. Utilising computational methods, and machine learning techniques, he hopes to contribute to the development of diagnostic tools, and innovative implant design, that will enable safe long term joint replacement solutions for a younger cohort of patients affected by Osteoarthritis.

Centre Administration Officer
Sophia Power
Hidden element
Before joining the team Sophia worked as an Employee Services Assistant in Human Resources at the University Queensland. Prior to that Sophia worked as an Administration, Communications and Events Officer at the University of Melbourne, in both the Chancellery (Research and Enterprise) and the Indigenous Knowledge Institute.

Post-Doc Fellow
Jing Peng
Hidden element
Dr. Jing Peng works as a Research Fellow in Robotic Surgery within Program 2. Her research interests include computer vision, machine learning, robotics and pneumatic control. Jing completed her BEng in Measurement, Control Technology and Instruments and her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Tsinghua University. During her PhD studies, she also carried out research in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of New South Wales as a Professional Practicum student. After graduation from Tsinghua University she worked at the University of Hong Kong as a Post-doctoral Fellow in Surgical Robotics and Soft Robotics. In 2019 she joined QUT as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Design Robotics for Advanced Manufacturing. Jing has several patents granted to her and she has published articles in materials and processing technologies, soft robotics and surgical robotics.
Our People
BID TEAM
PROGRAM 1
Marine Bio-products for Human Health and Nutrition

DEPUTY
Dr Michael Conlon
CSIRO
Hidden element
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- +61 8 8303 8909
- [email protected]

INDUSTRY CO-LEADER
Dr Damien Stringer
Marinova
Hidden element
Damien is an avid supporter of value-added industry and has built a career working with innovative enterprises. Damien graduated with a BSc with 1st Class Honours at the University of Tasmania and worked with Botanical Resources Australia before completing a PhD in Chemistry at UTas, before joining Marinova Pty Ltd in 2008. As Marinova’s Operations Manager, Damien couples his technical expertise with his consultative approach to lead the laboratory, processing and research teams. Damien is a former President of the Tasmanian Branch of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and is a graduate of the Tasmanian Leaders Program.
- +61 3 6248 5800
- [email protected]
PROGRAM 2
Marine-Derived Agricultural Products

LEADER
Professor Ben Hankamer
University of Queensland
Hidden element
- +61 7 334 62012
- [email protected]

DEPUTY
Professor Rob Capon
University of Queensland
Hidden element
- +61 7 334 62372
- [email protected]
PROGRAM 3
Sustainable marine bioresources

LEADER
Professor Catriona MacLeod
University of Tasmania
Hidden element
Associate Professor Catriona Macleod has a PhD in Aquaculture (UTAS, 2006). Her research focus is on sustainable development and science-based management and decision-making, with specific expertise in environmental, economic and social sustainability.
She is a member of both the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies and College of Sciences and Engineering leadership teams within UTAS and is responsible for issues related to the sustainable development of salmonid aquaculture in Tasmania as part of a joint venture agreement with the Tasmanian State Government.
She has a demonstrated ability to connect research with industry, government and community priorities and a track record of delivering outputs on time, within budget and on target.
- +61 3 6226 8237
- [email protected]

DEPUTY
Professor Peer Schenk
University of Queensland
Hidden element
Professor Peer Schenk completed his PhD in Microbiology at the University of Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute in Cologne, Germany in 1994. He has since worked for Queensland DPI, CSIRO Plant Industry and three CRCs as Project and Program Leader (CRCs for Tropical Plant Pathology, Tropical Plant Protection and Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology). He currently holds a CRC-P grant valued at $2.1 million on Translational R&D to develop large-scale omega-3 fatty acid production from microalgae.
Professor Schenk is a full-time Teaching & Research academic in the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences (SAFS) at The University of Queensland (UQ) and a Research Affiliate at the Centre for Marine Science and the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation. He leads the Algae Biotechnology Lab at UQ and is internationally recognised for his expertise in Plant Biotech and experience with transition from fundamentally new research concepts to industry. He was appointed as APEC representative for biorefinery concepts for Australia.
Schenk’s research pursues sustainable solutions to Food Security by applying cutting-edge biotechnology concepts to plants and microalgae.
He has commercialised technology from 7 patents leading to start-up companies Qponics, Nexgen Plants, Blue Quest and commercial IP in several companies, three of which are industry participants in MBB-CRC. His Australian crop varieties are commercially grown with annual sales >$10 million.
In the last 10 years Prof Schenk has focused on health products from Australian microalgae and pioneered commercial omega-3-rich oil production. In 2013, he established the Algae Energy Farm, a large-scale demonstration farm used regularly by industry as a testbed. It deploys new technologies to produce food, feed and fuel from microalgae. His new concepts for scalable low-cost cultivation, harvesting and processing have been successfully adopted by industry. He has provided training, guidance and technical assistance to the construction of a commercial Chlorella farm in Oman that started operation in March 2017 and is undergoing further upscaling. Similarly, he helped construct a commercial microalgae farm for Mohawk in Miles, (MBB-CRC participant in regional QLD) that commercially produces omega-3-rich Nannochloropsis for aquaculture and human health industries in Australia and Asia.
- +61 7 336 58817
- [email protected]

INDUSTRY CO-LEADER
Dr Graeme Barnett
Qponics
Hidden element
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- +61 7 3188 9086
- [email protected]
Connect educate train
(CET)

CET LEADER
Professor Kirsten Heimann
Flinders University
Hidden element
AProf. Heimann obtained a PhD in botany/cell biology (University of Cologne, Germany, 1991).
Since 2008, she held lead roles in education and training (e.g. Associate Dean Teaching and Learning, 2014; AMCRC Science and Education Committee, 2012-2014) and is presently the Research Director of the Australia-China Joint Laboratory for Native Bioresource Industry Innovation (CANBI2).
Kirsten built and led the AMCRC and industry-partnered Microalgae Carbon Capture and Methane Remediation programs and served on the industry steering committee to implement research outcomes at industry level.
Kirsten has over 10 years of experience in managing IP and commercialising research outcomes.