Science
Global Centre for Environmental Remediation
Professor Nanthi Bolan
Environmental Remediation
Professor Nanthi Bolan's research focuses on sustainable approaches to maintaining soil health.
Professor Ravi Naidu
Environmental Remediation
Professor Ravi Naidu is a global leader in contamination studies, studying agricultural and industrial impacts on the environment.
Dr Ayanka Wijayawardena
Environmental Remediation
The goal of Dr Ayanka Wijayawardena's research is to perfect testing methods for the bioavailability of heavy metals (including metalloids) to precisely inform human and environmental health risk assessment processes.
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Laureate Professor John Aitken
Reproductive Medicine
Laureate Professor Aitken is a global authority on reproductive biology. Supported by funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), his research offers a solution to unsustainable population growth.
Professor Silvia Frisia
Earth Sciences
Professor Silvia Frisia's work within Earth Sciences employs cutting edge technologies to attempt to reveal more about the history of the earth and also the history of humans.
Professor Christopher Grof
Biological Sciences
Biologist Professor Chris Grof's love of plants has developed into a quest to engineer a viable biofuel that could reduce Australians' reliance on fossil fuels. Director of the Centre for Plant Science, Professor Grof has taken a lead role in a research project to develop sorghum as a biofuel.
Professor Adam McCluskey
Chemistry
Professor Adam McCluskey is the Director of the University of Newcastle’s Priority Research Centre for Chemical Biology. He is involved in research resulting in four key drug discovery areas being pursued: epilepsy, kidney disease, cancer, and anti-viral.
Professor Eileen McLaughlin
Biological Sciences
Professor Eileen McLaughlin is researching the mysteries of conception. She produced her first test tube baby in 1983, just five years after the world's first IVF birth. More recently her focus has been the fertility prospects of older women.
Professor Brett Nixon
Biological Sciences
An investigator of indomitable spirit, Professor Brett Nixon is pursuing the mysteries of sperm dysfunction from multiple, linked perspectives.
Professor Erica Wanless
Chemistry
Working with colleagues at the University of Newcastle and beyond, Professor Erica Wanless is leading two projects exploring how particle coatings change behaviours at phase boundaries.
Associate Professor Mark Baker
Biological Sciences
Tenacious and audacious in equal measure, Associate Professor Mark Baker is seeking to crack the genetic code of male infertility.
Associate Professor Ian Grainge
Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Associate Professor Ian Grainge is interested in all aspects of how bacteria pass on their genetic information, from DNA replication to chromosome segregation and accurate cell division.
Dr Zamira Gibb
ARC Decra Fellow
Dr Zamira Gibb is a postdoctoral researcher in the field of equine fertility enhancement who works closely with industry to improve reproductive outcomes.
Dr Hannah Power
Earth Sciences
The research of Dr Hannah Power focuses primarily on the study of coastal processes and the geomorphology of sandy beaches.
Dr Kate Redgrove
Reproductive Medicine
Dr Kate Redgrove is looking at the environmental effects on male reproductive health, specifically, the impact of long term Chlamydia infections.
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Professor Paul Dastoor
Condensed Matter Physics
Designing revolutionary innovations such as solar paint and needle-free glucose tests has put Professor Paul Dastoor at the forefront of the emerging field of organic electronics. His advances are set to improve the environment and lives of communities around the world.
Associate Professor Vicki Keast
Physics
After studying for her PhD at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, Vicki went on to a post-doctoral position at the University of Cambridge. Her current research interests include plasmonic materials and the corrosion of silver nanoparticles.
Emeritus Professor John O'Connor
Physics
Since joining UON in 1981, John has collaborated across the University and the globe in a broad range of spheres; from surface and medical physics to science communications.
Professor Colin Waters
Space Physics
Supported by computational modelling and a handful of advanced data analysis strategies, Professor Colin Waters' insights into the inner workings of solar-terrestrial events are helping to safeguard several space-based assets and technologies.
Professor George Willis
Mathematical and Physical Sciences
A continuing theme of George Willis's research since he received a PhD from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1981 has been the interaction between algebra and topology.
Dr David Pontin
Mathematical and Physical Sciences
David Pontin obtained his PhD from The University of St Andrews in 2004. He subsequently took up a postdoctoral position at the University of Waikato (New Zealand) before moving to a Research Scientist position in the Space Science Centre at the University of New Hampshire (USA). He was appointed to a lectureship at the University of Dundee in 2007 and is now Reader in Mathematics. His research interests include mathematical modelling of astrophysical plasmas and in 2011 he was awarded a Philip Leverhulme Prize for Astronomy and Astrophysics. He is presently the Convener of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society’s Research Support Fund Committee. David will commence with the School of Mathematical Sciences in October 2019
School of Psychology
Professor Scott Brown
Mathematical Psychology
Professor Scott Brown's research focuses on applying mathematical modelling techniques to the understanding of higher-order cognitive processes (mostly memory and decision-making).
Professor Deborah Hodgson
Psychology
Professor Deborah Hodgson works at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology and immunology, to explore the impact of early life events on long term health outcomes.
Professor Frini Karayanidis
Psychology
By focusing on the interplay between brain, behaviour and environment, Associate Professor Frini Karayanidis' cognitive neuroscience research is helping to craft a clearer picture of how we efficiently and adaptively apply cognitive control processes across the lifespan.
Associate Professor Jennifer Bowman
Health Behaviour
Associate Professor Jennifer Bowman's primary research interest is the relationship between behaviour and heath, in particular the modification of lifestyle factors to enhance health and well-being.
Associate Professor Juanita Todd
Psychology
Associate Professor Juanita Todd's studies into auditory brain responses could lead to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment of schizophrenia.
Dr Andrea Griffin
Behavioural Ecologist
Andrea Griffin's research focuses on the cognitive and behavioural processes that allow animals to adapt to short-term and long-term environmental change and variability.
Dr Stefania Paolini
Psychology
Social psychologist Dr Stefania Paolini aims to understand the complex decision making processes involved in engaging with 'otherness' .
Dr Mark Rubin
Psychology
Social psychologist Dr Mark Rubin looks at the way in which individuals act in groups, and the way those groups interact in society, in order to understand the motivations behind choices and action.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.