People

Director

Professor Ajayan Vinu

Professor Ajayan Vinu

Global Innovation Chair Professor and Director

Prof. Vinu is the Global Innovation Chair and Director of the Global Innovative Center for Advanced Nanomaterials at the University of Newcastle, a position he has held since October 2017.

T: +61 2 4921 8669

E: ajayan.vinu@newcastle.edu.au

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Centre staff and researchers

Jyothica Verma

Jyothica Verma

Executive Assistant

A postgraduate student of Masters of Business Administration (Global) at The University of Newcastle, Jyothica Verma is the Administrative Assistant in GICAN with experience in management and administrative work. Reporting directly to Prof. Ajayan Vinu she also offers support to current GICAN staff and students

E: Jyothica.Verma@newcastle.edu.au

Associate Professor Jiabao Yi

Associate Professor Jiabao Yi

Associate Professor

A/P Jiabao Yi’s research is focusing on oxides and oxide based magnetic semiconductors, 2D materials and their magnetic properties, soft and hard magnetic materials, magnetic nanoparticles for bioapplications as well as advanced techniques, such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), neutron scattering and neutron reflectometry as well as muon spin relaxation.

T: 02 4926 1625

E: Jiabao.yi@newcastle.edu.au

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Associate Professor Thava Palanisami

Associate Professor Thava Palanisami

Associate Professor

Dr. Thava Palanisami completed his PhD on the Risk assessment and Remediation of mixed contaminants in 2010, at the University of South Australia. Over the past ten years, Thava’s mixed contaminant (PAHs & metals) research has led him towards a new research theme - contaminant transformation products (CTPs). Recently, his research focus is on adding new dimensions in the risk assessment and remediation of emerging contaminants such as microplastics and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). With an emphasis on plastics as an emerging contaminant, Thava’s team initiated plastics research at The University of Newcastle in 2015. Their principal aim was to develop fundamental knowledge on the ageing and weathering of microplastics in the environment to improve the accuracy of ecological and human health risk assessment and develop solutions.

T: +61 2 4033 9411

E: thava.palanisami@newcastle.edu.au

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Dr Jae-Hun Yang

Dr Jae-Hun Yang

Research Fellow and Lab Coordinator

Dr Jae-Hun Yang’s research interests lie in nanoporous materials and 2D nanohybrids between layered inorganics and organics or bio-molecules or inorganics as heterogeneous catalysts (especially photocatalysts), drug delivery carriers, nano-filler in polymer nanocomposites for green energy and environmental application and bio-medical application.

T: +61 2 4033 9632

E: jaehun.yang@newcastle.edu.au

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Dr Prashant Kumar

Dr Prashant Kumar

Senior Lecturer

He is involved in developing deeper understanding of exotic field-matter interactions and its exploitations for novel synthetic strategies for 2D materials, their controlled doping and their hybrid systems. Applications envisaged include energy generation and storage, photo/electro/microwave catalysis, SERS based molecular sensing, light sensing, straintronics, spintronics, oxidation/corrosion resistant lamination, mechanical reinforcements of polymers and soft metals.

Dr Kavitha Ramadass

Dr Kavitha Ramadass

Research Fellow

Dr Kavitha Ramadass received her PhD degree in 2011 from the Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation at the University of South Australia. She worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia. Her research interests focus on the design of multifunctional nanoporous materials for energy and environmental applications. She was awarded the International Postgraduate Scholarship (IPRS) award for PhD Studies, and the Research Encouragement award by IUMRS-ICAM held at Kyoto, Japan in 2017.

T: +61 2 4033 9604

E: kavitha.ramadass@newcastle.edu.au

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Dr Gurwinder Singh

Dr Gurwinder Singh

Research Fellow

Dr. Gurwinder’s research interest is mainly focused on converting waste products such as biomass, e-waste and industrial wastes into highly functional nanomaterials that can be used in different energy and environmental applications.

E: gurwinder.singh@newcastle.edu.au

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Dr Logeshwaran Panneerselvan

Dr Logeshwaran Panneerselvan

Research Fellow

Dr. Logeshwaran has over ten years of research expertise in Environmental Microbiology. During his Ph.D. research, he isolated a bacterial enzyme capable of detoxifying organophosphorus compounds (nerve agent pesticides) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). He specializes in novel bioremediation technology using microbial enzymes, molecular toxicology, metabolomics, proteomics, molecular modeling, and metagenomics. He has extensive experience in organic and inorganic compound analysis in particular emerging priority pollutants such as PFAS, PAHs, and Microplastics

T: +61 2 4913 8739

E: logeshwaran.panneerselvan@newcastle.edu.au

Dr Sharon Wong

Dr Sharon Wong

Research Fellow

Dr Sharon Wong is a biomedical scientist with more than ten years experience in airway epithelial biology and chronic respiratory disease. She completed her PhD under the supervision of A/Prof Maria Sukkar and A/Prof Matt Padula (UTS), investigating the role of alarmin, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and matricellular protein, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in chronic airways disease. She joined Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis (MICF) research lab at UNSW as a postdoctoral research fellow, where her research focussed on establishing patient-derived airway and gut cell models and organoids for disease modelling, preclinical testing of drug response and biobanking. At GICAN, she will advance the development of nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery in cancer.

E: Sharon.Wong@newcastle.edu.au

Dr Stalin Joseph

Dr Stalin Joseph

Research Associate

Dr. Stalin Joseph’s research interests are primarily focused on engineering of advanced nanomaterials for various applications. He is an expert in utilizing these novel nanomaterials in the field of supercapacitors, batteries and fuel cells.

E: stalin.joseph@newcastle.edu.au

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Dr Sathish Clastinrusselraj Indirathankam

Dr Sathish Clastinrusselraj Indirathankam

Research Associate

Dr Sathish’s research expertise is in the area of material science, nanomaterials, high-pressure studies, superconductivity and magnetism. He is interested mainly in the synthesis of novel materials, studying their structural, electronic, magnetic and superconducting properties. Recently he moved into design and development of multifunctional nanoporous materials such as mesoporous carbon nitrides, hybrid inorganic materials, metal carbonitrides for energy storage, sensors, CO2 capture and conversion, catalysis and environmental applications.

E: sathish.ci@newcastle.edu.au

Dr Kim Tran

Dr Kim Tran

Research Associate

Dr. Kim Tran received her PhD in Environmental Sciences from the University of Newcastle, Australia (2017). Kim begun her academic career as a lecturer at the School of Agriculture and Resources, Vinh University, Vietnam (2004). Kim’s previous and current research are interdisciplinary, utilising environmental science and molecular biology techniques to assess the impacts of environmental contaminants (EDCs, heavy metals, PAHs, PFAS and microplastics) on ecosystems and the development of bio-monitoring and remediation methods. Her expertise covers the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and EDCs in aquatic organisms and environments; risk assessment of contaminant transformation products and their metabolites; microplastics as vectors for microbes and environmental contaminants; as well as practical technologies for the remediation of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using carbon materials in aquaculture and wastewater applications.

E: ThiKimAnh.Tran@uon.edu.au

Dr Arun Vijay Baskar

Dr Arun Vijay Baskar

Research Associate

Dr. Arun Vijay Baskar received his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at The University of Newcastle, Australia. Before his doctorate, he finished his masters in Nano Science and Technology at the Anna University Trichy, India. His research interest is on the development of advanced porous materials and their functionalization. The materials he has worked on are used in applications such as supercapacitors and battery.

E: arun.baskar@newcastle.edu.au

Dr Geetika Bhagwat

Dr Geetika Bhagwat

Research Associate

Geetika is currently investigating the role of plastic-associated microbial biofilms in altering the biological and physicochemical interactions of MPs in the marine environment and the possible implications to human health. She has employed a metagenomics approach to identify the structure and functions of plastic-associated microbial biofilms on various types of consumer plastics to investigate the possible environmental ramifications of the microbial genes enriched on plastics. Her future research seeks to investigate the leaching of contaminants from MPs in the human gut environment (in-vitro) and explore the associated cytotoxicity to understand the human health risks of MP ingestion.

E: Geetika.Bhagwat@uon.edu.au

Dr Xinwei Guan

Dr Xinwei Guan

Research Associate

Dr. Xinwei Guan is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Newcastle. He received his Ph.D. degree in 2021 from Materials Science & Engineering department at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) under the supervision of prof. Tom Wu. During the Ph.D. period, he mainly worked on halide perovskite-based memories and optoelectronic devices. In GICAN, his current research focuses on porous carbon- and carbon nitride-based materials for energy and environmental applications.

E: Xinwei.Guan@newcastle.edu.au

Dr Rex Geng

Dr Rex Geng

Research Associate

Dr. Geng completed his doctoral degree in the school of material science and engineering, UNSW. He was working on halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs), promising photovoltaic devices, energy-saving smart windows, and optoelectronic applications. He also has senior experience in the field of 2D thermochromic material, vanadium dioxide (VO2), which is famous for its phase transition and has strong potential in the same area as QDs. In addition, Dr. Geng has strong background in the mining industry, relating to corrosion prevention of the oil storage and mining environment investigation. In GICAN, his research area includes not only nonporous carbon, but also carbon nitride and MoS2 QDs.

E: Rex.Geng@newcastle.edu.au

Dr Marjana Yeasmin

Dr Marjana Yeasmin

Research Associate

Marjana is currently working on improving crop nutrition through nanomaterials modification. She has been investigating the proteomics and metabolomics enhance insight on wheat response to foliar application of selenium nanoparticles. Her research interest on nutrition and productivity of crops.

T: +61449773498

E: Marjana.Yeasmin@newcastle.edu.au

Dr Muhammad Ibrar Ahmed

Dr Muhammad Ibrar Ahmed

Research Associate

Dr. Ibrar is experienced in the field of advanced materials for photo/electrochemical energy conversion and storage. He is committed to finding innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing energy challenges. With a deep understanding of the principles of electrochemistry and catalysis, he has developed a wide range of materials and processes that can be used to improve the efficiency, performance, and durability of energy conversion and storage systems.

T: +6145099378

E: MuhammadIbrar.Ahmed@newcastle.edu.au

Dr. Rohan Bahadur

Dr. Rohan Bahadur

Rohan Bahadur completed his Ph.D. from University of Newcastle in 2023. Prior to his Ph.D., he worked at IIT Bombay, India. His research interest revolves around functional 2D materials (Borocarbonitride, Carbon Nitride, Graphene, TMDs, MXenes and Xenes), their hybrids, and 0D derivatives for energy, biomedical, and environmental applications.

E: rohan.bahadur@newcastle.edu.au

Dr. Mohammed Fawaz Palakkat Alihassan

Dr. Mohammed Fawaz Palakkat Alihassan

Completed the PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at The University of Newcastle, Australia.  Fawaz completed his integrated bachelor’s & master’s degree from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India in 2017. His main research focus is on developing novel nanomaterials as electrocatalysts/photocatalyst for electro/photo-chemical energy storage and conversion devices.

E: mohammedfawaz.palakkatalihassan@newcastle.edu.au

Research students

Juan Jeffery

Juan Jeffery

PhD Student

Juan Jeffery has extensive global Fintech, IIOT, mining, resources and oil & gas, M&A and management consulting expertise. Experienced in resources, investment, development, operations, corporate and board governance, Australian accredited finance advisor, KYC, AML. Juan is a PHD Scholar working on commercialising the sustainable manufacturing of Functionalised Porous Biocarbons from biomass at an industrial scale for Energy and Environmental Applications.  Juan’s research interests lie in utilising functionalised porous biocarbons as an industrial product for downstream integration into super capacitors, specialist filtration and hydrogen generation applications. Before entering the resources industry Juan was a research fellow working on digital optical identification of coal maserals in industrial applications such as carbon electrodes in furnaces.

E: juan.jeffery@aefin.com.au

Shan Mohanan

Shan Mohanan

PhD Student

Shan Mohanan, joined GICAN in 2019 and pursuing his PhD in Engineering. His current research focussing on development of novel targeted theranostic nanomaterial systems for cancer. Before moving to Australia he was working as senior lecturer in India. He has completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy from University of Calicut and Master of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics) from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India. He has done research works in Nano particulate drug delivery systems (Dendrimer drug delivery, Solid lipid or polymer based nanoparticles, Copper nanoparticle, PEG-PLGA nanoparticle), Transdermal and non-invasive drug delivery (Liposomes, Neosomes, Proneosomes), Drug delivery systems using isolated and characterized natural polymers.

Sujanya Maria Ruban

Sujanya Maria Ruban

PhD Student

Sujanya Maria Ruban is a visiting research scholar at GICAN, under the guidance of Prof. Ajayan Vinu. In GICAN, Sujanya’s main research focus is on the utilisation and conversion of naturally occurring Halloysite into multi-functional nanomaterials.

E: sujanya.mariaruban@newcastle.edu.au

Zhihao Lei

Zhihao Lei

PhD Student

Zhihao Lei obtained his dual bachelor degree in Mechanical engineering from Deakin University and Wuhan University of Science and Technology. Now, his research interests mainly focus on the ferromagnetism in 2D nanomaterials and synthesis of 2D transition metal oxides and dichalcogenides for electrocatalyst, next-generation rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors.

E: Zhihao.Lei@uon.edu.au

Ahmad Tabish

Ahmad Tabish

PhD Student

Ahmad received a MS in Chemical Engineering in 2017 from The Petroleum Institute Research Center of ADNOC as an ADNOC fellow, Abu Dhabi, UAE where he worked on synthesis of self-healing anti corrosion coatings based on nano-materials for oil/gas industry. He holds a Bachelors degree (2014) in Chemical Engineering from the Aligarh Muslim University, India. He also visited as an undergrad Winter Research Scholar at The Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland in 2013 on project related to risks in coal mining industry.

After his MS he worked at the Khalifa University's Research Center in UAE from 2017-2019 on projects related to metal recovery from wastes etc.
Presently he is pursuing his PhD at GICAN and working on finding novel pathways for synthesis of Mesoporous Silica.

E: AhmadTabish@uon.edu.au

Vaishwik Patel

Vaishwik Patel

PhD Student

Vaishwik Patel's research area is mainly focussed on the synthesis of bare and functionalized metal, metal oxide and lipid nanoparticles. His work also includes an assessment of the biological properties of synthesized nanoparticles as well as their application in drug delivery.

E: Vaishwik.Patel@uon.edu.au

Nithinraj P.D.

Nithinraj P.D.

PhD Student

Nithinraj P.D. completed his integrated Bachelors & Masters from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India. His research interest broadly lies in Material science and Electrochemistry. He has been working in the field of energy storage and conversion devices. Currently he is pursuing his doctoral studies under the guidance of Prof. Ajayan Vinu and Dr. Siddulu Naidu Talapaneni.

Jefrin Marykala Davidraj

Jefrin Marykala Davidraj

PhD Student

Jefrin Marykala Davidraj completed her Master’s degree in organic chemistry from Vels University, India. She joined GICAN in 2019 as a visiting researcher and currently pursuing her Ph.D. in material science under the guidance of Prof. Jiabao Yi. Her current research interest is focused on the synthesis of mesoporous carbon nitride using SBA-1 as a template and administer it for energy  storage and conversion applications.

E: Jefrin.MarykalaDavidraj@uon.edu.au

Nethaji “Subash” Chandra Bose Raju

Nethaji “Subash” Chandra Bose Raju

PhD Student

Subash Raju is currently pursuing his final year PhD in Materials Science and Engineering under the guidance of Dr.Thava Palanisami and  supported by the Hunter Water Corporation and The University of Newcastle, Australia through the Industry-University Engagement Scholarship (2017-21).  His PhD research focuses on the emerging threat- fate and behaviour of microplastics in the wastewater treatment plants and its implications for wastewater reuse and biosolids for agriculture. The recognition of his research achievements, over the years, as well as his Ph.D. research led to the award of an Association Commonwealth Universities Blue Charter Fellowship in January 2019. He worked with Eminent Prof. Richard Thompson (renowned microplastics Researcher) at the University of Plymouth, UK and interacted with industry experts, research fellows and investigated effluent and biosolid microplastic profiles of wastewater plants.

E: Nethaji.Raju@uon.edu.au

Lakshmi Vandana Daggubati

Lakshmi Vandana Daggubati

PhD Student

Lakshmi Vandana Daggubati currently pursuing her  Ph.D. in Material Sciences and Engineering, under the guidance of Dr. Thava Palanisami.  Her current research focus on the Risk Assessment of Plastics.  She completed her Bachelors in Environmental Management and Master’s degrees in Environmental Studies from Andhra University and also worked as a senior research associate in  India

E: lakshmi.daggubati@uon.edu.au

Aathira Sadanandan

Aathira Sadanandan

PhD Student

Aathira completed her Bachelors and Masters in chemistry from the University of Calicut. She just joined for the PhD programme at GICAN. Prior to joining for the PhD programme, she was working as a research assistant at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum at Dehradun, India. Her research project is on the design of advanced porous carbon nitrides for CO2 conversion through the photocatalytic approach

E: Aathira.MankuzhySadanandan@uon.edu.au

Jolitta John

Jolitta John

PhD Student

Jolitta obtained her Master of Philosophy from Manonmanium Sundarnar University, Trinelveli, India. She also completed her post graduate diploma in Criminology and forensic science from Annamalai University, Chidambaram. Her research is related on the design of advanced nanomaterials and the naturally available nanostructures for bio-sensing applications.

E: Jolittasheri.Johnbritto@uon.edu.au

Vijayakumar Manavalan

Vijayakumar Manavalan

PhD Student

Vijayakumar completed his B.Tech and M.Tech from Pondicherry University, India. After spending a few years of research at the Center of Nanomaterials, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyberabad, India, he joined for the PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at GICAN. His research is focussed on the design and the development of MXene hybrids for the li-ion capacitors.

E: Vijayakumar.Manavalan@uon.edu.au

Sania Afrose

Sania Afrose

PhD Student

Sania is currently working to generate baseline data on the sorption behaviour of different sizes of MPs and NPs in freshwater environments. Her research will contribute towards the risk assessment of MPs and NPs in freshwater environments, including drinking water sources, which represent one of the most important routes of MPs and NPs to the human body. Her research is supported by NSW Fisheries and The University of Newcastle.

E: Sania.Afrose@uon.edu.au

Kala Senathirajah

Kala Senathirajah

PhD Student

As an experienced water industry engineer, the significance of the provision of a safe water supply cycle underpins Kala’s research focus on the development of strategies to reduce and remove microplastics from the water supply (from catchment to discharge). The outcomes of Kala’s research will provide water utilities and other “microplastics waste generators” with a toolkit of management options to reduce and remove microplastics from various pathways and sources. Kala’s research is supported by Water Research Australia, Water Corporation of WA and The University of Newcastle, and she is in collaboration with Shinshu University and the National University of Singapore.

E: kala.senathirajah@uon.edu.au

Malelili Naulivou Rokomatu

Malelili Naulivou Rokomatu

PhD Student

Malelili is currently investigating the occurrence and distribution of microplastic in the Fiji environment and its various sources. The proposed project will also include chemical analysis to observe the fate of these plastic pollutants and spatial patterns of aged microplastic in aquatic environments, to determine the direct and indirect implications to human health. WWF Pacific has partnered on this topic with UoN in the attempt to work together and investigate the extent of plastic impacts to the human health system in Fiji and the South Pacific.

E: Malelili.Rokomatu@fijiwater.com

Zhixuan Li

Zhixuan Li

PhD Student

Zhixuan Li is a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Ajayan Vinu and A/Prof. Jiabao Yi. She completed her bachelor's in chemistry at University of Science and Technology of China, and master's in chemical engineering at Monash University. Currently, Zhixuan Li is working on the development of nanocarbon materials for energy and environmental applications.

E: Zhixuan.Li@uon.edu.au

Bhavya Jitendrabhai

Bhavya Jitendrabhai

PhD Student

Bhavya is currently pursuing his PhD on the topic of carbon storage in sugarcane agro-industrial systems. His work focusses on developing a multi-functional biochar from agricultural wastes to achieve carbon sequestration, soil fertility and a reduction of pollutant leaching. His area of interest also includes environmental science, soil science, agriculture, and circular economy.

E: BhavyaJitendrabhai.Mod@uon.edu.au

Arsh Ismaili

Arsh Ismaili

PhD Student

Arsh Ismaili is PhD scholar at GICAN, mainly working on CO2 capture and conversion, catalysis and developing continuous technology to accelerate the conventional batch processes under the supervision of Prof. Ajayan Vinu and Dr. Ajay Karakoti. His area of interests includes development of novel catalyst and transfer conventional batch processes into continuous by applying process intensification fundamentals.

E: arshaminmahamad.ismaili@uon.edu.au

Vibin Perumalsamy

Vibin Perumalsamy

PhD Student

Vibin completed Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science and Engineering) at College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, Chennai and Master of Materials Science and Engineering with Distinction at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He joined back at GICAN to pursue his PhD on the topic of reconciling carbon sequestration through the nanostabilisation of biowastes under the guidance of A/Prof. Jiabao Yi. His work focuses on to stabilise carbon in biowastes using nanomaterials and then to enhance the long-term carbon sequestration in soil. His area of interest also includes electrochemical energy storage applications such as Batteries and Supercapacitors.

E: Vibin.Perumalsamy@uon.edu.au

Chenxi Yu

Chenxi Yu

PhD Student

Chenxi Yu is a doctoral candidate at Global Innovation center for advanced nanomaterials (GICAN) in Materials Science under the supervision of A/Prof. Jiabao Yi. His main focus is on synthesis of nanoparticles, semiconductors and magnetic materials by thermal decomposition process and photocatalysis for hydrogen production etc.

E: C.Yu@uon.edu.au

Ayush Kumar

Ayush Kumar

PhD Student

Ayush Kumar started his Doctoral journey under the guidance of Prof. Ajayan Vinu in 2023 at Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN). His current research is majorly focusing on the development of novel mesoporous heterogenous acid catalyst for the synthesis of paracetamol. Previously, Ayush worked on development of various nanomaterials like MOFs, nanoparticles (gold & chitosan), liposomes in various biomedical applications at INMAS, DRDO, New Delhi, India under the mentorship of Dr. Rashi Mathur (Scientist F).

E: Ayush.Kumar@uon.edu.au

Yitong Cao

Yitong Cao

PhD Student

Yitong Cao is a PhD student  under the supervision of A/Prof. Jiabao Yi and Prof. Ajayan Vinu. His research is mainly focused on the fabrication of iron oxide magnetic nanocomposite and microplastic separation and decomposition in wastewater. He received his Masters’ degree in 2021 at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He used to work on the improvement and optimization of physical mechanical properties for elastomers reinforced with graphene.

E: Yitong.Cao@uon.edu.au

Chaojie Cao

Chaojie Cao

PhD Student

Chaojie Cao, a Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science at the University of Newcastle, specializes in the synthesis of nanoparticles, semiconductors, and magnetic materials using thermal decomposition processes and photocatalysis for hydrogen production. Additionally, he explores the properties of novel materials and develops innovative characterization techniques. Throughout his graduate studies, Chaojie has been committed to discovering and developing materials with potential applications in industries such as energy, medicine, and electronics. He is passionate about his research, believing that it will significantly impact these fields. He believes that these collaborations not only advance his own research but also contribute to the growth of the entire field.

E: Chaojie.Cao@uon.edu.au

Reshma Arokia Gigi

Reshma Arokia Gigi

PhD Student

Reshma Arokia Gigi completed her Master of Technology in nanotechnology from Noorul Islam University, India. Currently she is pursuing her Ph.D. in material science and engineering under the guidance of Prof. Ajayan Vinu. Her current research interest is focused on synthesis of nanoporous carbon materials from various biomass sources for the application of CO2 capture.

E: Reshma.ArokiaGigi@uon.edu.au

Mohd Arish Usman

Mohd Arish Usman

PhD Student

Arish received his master's degree in Chemical Engineering in 2019 from the reputed Aligarh Muslim University, India. Afterward, he joined Manipal University Jaipur as Junior Research Fellow in the Chemical Engineering Dept. from 2019-2022 and worked on projects related to static and dynamic adsorption of anionic dyes using polyethyleneimine based porous monoliths, oil/water separation, and, most importantly, encapsulation of carrier molecules into Janus hollow silica microspheres with hydrophobic pore internals.

E: MohdArish.Usman@uon.edu.au

Vishnumaya Narayanan

Vishnumaya Narayanan

PhD Student

Vishnumaya Narayanan is pursuing her doctoral studies at GICAN under the supervision of Prof. Ajayan Vinu. She completed her Master’s degree in Physics from Mangalore University, India. Her research mainly focuses on the applications of biomass-derived nanoporous carbons in CO2 capture.

E: Vishnumaya.Narayanan@uon.edu.au

Vinay Naral

Vinay Naral

PhD Student

Vinay Naral is a PhD student at GICAN under the supervision of Prof. Ajayan Vinu. His main interest relies on designing nanoporous materials for CO2 conversion via Thermo/Photo/Thermo-Photocatalytic routes. During his master’s degree at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Bangalore, he gained the experience on silica-based materials for CO2 capture and conversion.

E: Vinay.Naral@uon.edu.au

Rexie Selvarajan Rani

Rexie Selvarajan Rani

PhD Student

Having obtained her master’s degree in chemistry from Manonmanian Sundaranar University, Rexie stepped into GICAN in 2023, she is pursuing her PhD in material science under the guidance of Prof . Vinu. Her ongoing research interests are single metal atom catalysis, biomass conversion, mixed precursor synthesis.

E: rexie.selvarajanrani@uon.edu.au

Ajanya Maria Ruban

Ajanya Maria Ruban

PhD Student

Ajanya Maria Ruban is a PhD student at GICAN, under the guidance of Prof. Ajayan Vinu. She joined GICAN in 2019 as a visiting researcher after completing her Master’s in chemistry from Vels Institute of Science and Technology, India. In GICAN, Ajanya’s main research focus is on transformation of industrial green waste into nanoporous biocarbon’s for carbon capture and energy storage applications.

E: ajanyajesus.mariaruban@uon.edu.au

Arun Chandra Manivannan

Arun Chandra Manivannan

PhD Student

Arun has embarked on a Ph.D under the expert guidance of Ass Prof. Thava Palanisami, after successfully obtaining a master's degree in microbiology in 2022. Arun's research endeavors are primarily focused on material valorization for proactively mitigating the escalating issue of fiber waste and combatting the consequential emissions across diverse environmental settings. This ambitious objective aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with the fiber industries, thereby fostering a state of carbon neutrality. Arun's work leverages the remarkable capabilities of microbial agents to effectively address the pressing environmental crisis caused by fibers.

E: arun.chandramanivannan@uon.edu.au

Harleen Kaur

Harleen Kaur

PhD Student

Harleen has completed her Master’s in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Guru Nanak Dev University, India. Later, joined GICAN in 2023 as a Ph.D. student in Material Science Engineering under the supervision of Prof. Ajayan Vinu. She is currently working on carbon clay composites for different applications from biomass.

E: Harleen.Kaur@uon.edu.au

Haryni Jayaradhika Raghuraman Rengarajan

Haryni Jayaradhika Raghuraman Rengarajan

PhD Student

Haryni has completed her Masters in Botany from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India in the year 2021. She was working as a Junior scientist at a microalgae-based industry in India. She is now doing her PhD with the guidance of Dr Thava Palanisami on the production of high value products from microalgae.

E: harynijayaradhika.raghuramanrengarajan@uon.edu.au

Visiting researchers

Dr. Sudip Chakraborthy

Dr. Sudip Chakraborthy

Visiting Researcher

Prof. Sudip Chakraborty is leading Materials Theory for Energy Scavenging (MATES Lab) group (http://www.hri.res.in/~sudipchakraborty/) in India’s premier theoretical research Institute Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI) Allahabad (Prayagraj), Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India. After completing his Ph.D. in collaboration between Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and University of Pune, India, he moved to Max Planck Institute, Düsseldorf, Germany in March 2011 as a Max Planck Postdoctoral Fellow. In February 2013, he joined Materials Theory Division, Uppsala University, Sweden as a Førskare (Senior Researcher). His works are appeared in PNAS, Materials Today, ACS Energy Letters, JACS, ACS Nano, ACS Catalysis, AngewChemie, Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Chemistry of Materials etc. Till now, he has 160 International publications with total impact factor of 1300 and 5450 citations with 41 h-index.

E: sudiphys@gmail.com

Dr. Tisita Das

Dr. Tisita Das

Visiting Researcher

Biodata: Dr. Tisita Das is a DST INSPIRE Faculty in Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI), Allahabad, under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Govt. of India. Her main area of research is Computational Materials Science with a focus on Energy Materials, particularly in the field of  catalysis, next generation battery and solar cells. Her published work could be found here in the following website:

E: tisitadas@gmail.com

Dr. Amirtham Dhamodarasamy

Dr. Amirtham Dhamodarasamy

Visiting Research AssociateProfessor

Dr. D. Amirtham is a Visiting Associate Professor (Biochemistry) from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India in Dr. Thava Palanisami’s Group at Global Innovative Center for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN), The University of Newcastle, Australia. She has completed Ph.D in Biochemistry specialized in “Phytoremediation of heavy metals” at Bharathiar University ,Coimbatore ,Tamil Nadu ,India and awarded with ICAR-Post Doctoral Fellowship at the premier national Institute ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in 2021. She has 24 years teaching experience and received Best Women Scientist award of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University for the year 2021. Her field of research specialization is “Nutritional enhancement through the production of high value functional nano biomolecules from Agro food wastes” and Post-harvest Biochemistry.

E: Ad729@newcastle.edu.au

Dr Mohan Rasu

Dr Mohan Rasu

Visiting Researcher

Dr. Mohan Rasu is a Research Associate in Dr. Thava Palanisami’s group at the Global Innovative Center for Advanced nanomaterials (GICAN), The University of Newcastle, Australia. He obtained his Ph.D in Alagappa university, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India in 2021. He has been awarded internship program under DST-SPARC project and worked in Tiajin University, China for a period of one month. Currently, his interests are to Poly – β – Hydroxybutyrate production by bacteria using waste sources.

E: raasumohan12@gmail.com

Mukul M Morey

Mukul M Morey

Visiting Researcher

Mukul Morey is currently pursuing Master of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Newcastle, NSW and working as a Research Assistant at GICAN. He has completed his Graduation (Bachelors of Technology) in Fibres and Textiles Processing Technology from Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. (UDCT). His Current research interests are Synthesis of 2D materials and their Hybrids, (Borophene, Graphene, Carbon Nitride, MoS2, etc.) and Synthesis of Biomass derived porous Carbonaceous materials and their Hybrids/ hetrostructures for Energy storage and Generation Applications.

E: MukulManoj.Morey@uon.edu.au

Abel Eldho Jose

Abel Eldho Jose

Visiting Researcher

Abel Eldho Jose completed his bachelor's in mechanical engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore in 2021 and is currently doing his master's in Material Science and engineering at the University of Newcastle. His current research interest is focused on synthesis of biomass derived nanoporous carbon for energy storage and conversion applications.

E: Abel.Jose@uon.edu.au

Xiangwei Zhang

Xiangwei Zhang

Visiting Student

Xiangwei Zhang is currently pursuing his PhD program. His main focus is on synthesizing nanoporous carbon nitride for the application of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction.

E: Xiangwei.Zhang@newcastle.edu.au

Lavanya Maria Ruban

Lavanya Maria Ruban

Visiting Researcher

Lavanya Ruban is currently pursuing Master of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Newcastle, NSW. She has completed her Bachelors of Technology in Biotechnology from Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu. She is currently working on synthesis of novel functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles for anti-microbial activities.

E: LavanyaJesus.MariaRuban@uon.edu.au

Aleena Parayil Antony

Aleena Parayil Antony

Visiting Student

Aleena Parayil Antony is a visiting Ph.D. student at GICAN under the guidance of Prof. Ajayan Vinu. After completing her Masters' in Physics from Assumption college, Changanacherry, Kerala, India she joined as a Ph.D. candidate at Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara, affiliated to Kerala University, India. Her current research interest is on developing nanoporous boron carbon nitride materials as electrode material for Energy storage devices.

E: Aleena.ParayilAntony@newcastle.edu.au

Anjana Mundathodu Peruvampurath

Anjana Mundathodu Peruvampurath

Visiting Student

Anjana M P competed her M.Phil from St. Therese's college, Kerala, India and joined as PhD scholar in Bishop Moore college, Mavelikara, Kerala India. She joined GICAN in 2023 as a visiting PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Ajayan Vinu. Currently, she is working on developing ordered mesoporous boron carbon nitrides using a hard templating method for the energy storage applications.

E: Anjana.MundathoduPeruvampurath@newcastle.edu.au

Nithya Satheesh George

Nithya Satheesh George

Visiting Student

Nithya S George is a Visiting Ph.D. student at GICAN, under the guidance of Prof. Ajayan Vinu. She completed her Masters' from Catholicate college, Kerala, India and currently the holder of Inspire Fellowship for her Ph.D. program at Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara, affiliated to Kerala University, India. In GICAN, Nithya’s main research focus is on converting industrial coal waste into Functionalized Nanoporous Carbon for energy storage applications.

E: Nithya.SatheeshGeorge@newcastle.edu.au

Ayona Kuruppum Parambil Jose

Ayona Kuruppum Parambil Jose

Visiting Student

Ayona Kuruppum Parambil Jose is a visiting PhD student at GICAN under the supervision of Prof. Ajayan Vinu.  She had completed her master's degree in physics from Assumption College (Autonomous), Changanacherry and Master of Philosophy in Physics from St. Teresa's College (Autonomous), Ernakulam,  Kerala, India. Currently she is pursuing her PhD at Bishop Moore College Mavelikara, affiliated to Kerala University. Her present work is on Carbon Nitrides for Photocatalysis applications.

E: Ayona.KuruppumParambilJose@newcastle.edu.au

Deepak Kumar

Deepak Kumar

Visiting Researcher

Deepak graduated from Anna University, Chennai-India with Bachelors in Chemical Engineering and a Masters in Environmental Engineering & Pollution Control from Griffith University, Brisbane-Australia. He has three years of industrial experience in India in the field of Environmental Engineering and Microalgal Technology. He has hands-on experience working in sewage and industrial wastewater treatment plants using an organic flocculation technology. Additionally, he also has experience dealing with both freshwater microalgae and beneficial marine microalgae. Under the supervision of Dr. Thava Palanisami, he is now working as a Research Assistant in an industry collaborative project at the University of Newcastle.

E: Deepak.Kumar1@newcastle.edu.au

Jibi Kunjumon

Jibi Kunjumon

Visiting Student

Jibi Kunjumon is a Visiting Ph.D. student at GICAN, under the guidance of Prof. Ajayan Vinu. After completing her Master's in Physics from Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara, Kerala, India, she joined for Master of Philosophy in Physics from St. Berchmans College, Changanassery, Kerala, India. Jibi joined for the PhD programme in Bishop Moore College, Kerala, India affiliated to University of Kerala in 2022 and her current research focusses on carbon nitride coated porous carbon for CO2 capture applications.

E: Jibi.Kunjumon@newcastle.edu.au

GICAN Affiliates