2025 Honour Roll

In recognition of education excellence of Early Career Academics.

2025: Dr Paul Beuchat

Dr Paul Beuchat has made a transformative impact on the student experience. To develop industry-ready graduates, he has thoughtfully integrated modern engineering software frameworks and tools in his course curriculum. His subjects foster interdisciplinary collaboration across FEIT disciplines, and feature “dual impact” assessment that evaluates both technical proficiency and professional skills. Students have consistently provided feedback that these subjects are a highlight in their degree. Paul’s dedication to student development equips our graduates with the practical experience, confidence, and adaptability needed to thrive in their chosen industry.

In recognition of education excellence of Tutors and/or Graduate Research Academic Associates.

2025: Dr Jean Lee

Dr Jean Lee’s teaching philosophy centres around pedagogical strategies in developing supplementary teaching materials to enhance students learning experience. Jean has created a highly inclusive, and engaging learning environment, especially for students from diverse backgrounds including international students and those returning from industry. She has developed tailored materials like animated slides, visual aids, and curated resources, that made complex topics like transformer algorithms easier to understand. Additionally, she has used short quizzes, active discussions and retrieval prompts to reinforce student learning. Her students often remarked that her sessions helped make difficult content easier to grasp and apply.

In recognition of outstanding contributions that improve student engagement on campus, with industry and/or in the community.

2025: Dr Sarah Webber

Dr Sarah Webber has a passion for sustainability and social good, which have shaped her teaching and professional practice. Over the years, Sarah has volunteered in Australia and overseas to enhance access to technology and enhance digital literacy within low-resource communities. As a lecturer, she teaches our computing students how technology can help to shape a more sustainable future. Sarah is currently leading a major teaching initiative that brings together experts across the University of Melbourne to embed sustainability into IT curriculum. Sarah centres her work around preparing students to not only be capable professionals, but also thoughtful contributors to a fairer, more sustainable world.

In recognition of innovation in education and in programs that enhance, inspire or motivate students’ learning.

2025: Reimagining Lecture Content Through AI-Generated Multimodal Resources for Active Learning

Dr Winn Chow, Dr Stella Peng, Prof Ofir Turel

This project that has transformed how students engage with complex lecture content. Leveraging generative AI, the team has turned dense, abstract lectures into interactive learning tools, that helped students better understand and apply key ideas. Over 200 students across two subjects have benefited, with many reporting improved understanding of complex content, enhanced critical thinking skills, and greater engagement through active learning. This teaching innovation highlights the potential of AI to enrich learning experiences for our students.

In recognition of education excellence in leadership and/or mentoring.

2025: Dr Catherine Sutton

Dr Catherine Sutton has been a driving force in mentoring and supporting junior teaching staff across Chemical Engineering and the wider Faculty. She has delivered regular trainings, led mentoring sessions, and built strong support systems to help tutors and new academics succeed in the classroom. Since 2021, she’s trained over 500 tutors and demonstrators and directly supported 34 causal teaching staff and graduate research academic associates. Her leadership has strengthened the Faculty’s teaching quality, improved student experience, and fostered a more confident and capable teaching community.

In recognition of outstanding contributions in equity, diversity and social inclusion.

2025: Employing AI for Equity to Legal Access in Australia

Dr Kemal Kurniawan, Dr Meladel Mistica, Prof Timothy Baldwin, Dr Jey Han Lau

The Employing AI for Equity to Legal Access Initiative has significantly improved access to justice for vulnerable Australians. In collaboration with Justice Connect, the team has streamlined legal triage through AI which has resulted in increased access to services for seniors by 35% and boosted successful legal connections by 10%. It now features more inclusive training and clearer, user-friendly language, ensuring fairer outcomes across diverse demographics. Together, this team effort stands as a compelling example of AI being used to generate real-world, equitable social impact, and improving access to justice for more Australians.

In recognition of outstanding research projects undertaken in partnership with industry.

2025: Knowledge translation in tri-sectoral research entrepreneurship delivers accelerated solutions

Dr Ellie Hajizadeh, Dr Dominic Robe

Dr Ellie Hajizadeh and Dr Dominic Robe have been transforming how materials are discovered and developed. Traditionally, it can take up to 20 years to move materials from lab to market. However, with their AI-Powered software platform, Bandicoot, the team have helped reduce that timeline to just 2-3 years. This can lead to significant reductions in R&D costs for global partners across defence, manufacturing, and healthcare. Bandicoot uses explainable AI to automate and guide material simulations, replacing trial-and-error with smart, targeted experimentation. This achievement isn’t just theoretical; it has delivered real-world impact on stealth coating for submarines and sustainable coatings for global markets. Together, Ellie and Dominic are helping shape a more agile and collaborative future for materials science.

In recognition of outstanding contributions in enhancing FEIT's and the University's international standing.

2025: A/Prof Behzad Rismanchi

Associate Professor Behzad Rismanchi have significantly elevated FEIT’s global reputation through his leadership in international collaboration. Behzad has connected researchers and industry through the “Decarbonising the Building Industry network” and the DBI2024 International conference – which have helped to position FEIT as a global hub for sustainable building innovation. His effort has led to lasting partnerships, increased global visibility, and new opportunities for both our students and staff. Through this sustained work, Behzad has made a lasting impact on both FEIT’s international standing and the global conversation on sustainability.

In recognition of exceptional achievements in innovation, impact, and real-world application.

2025: Prof Raymond Dagastine

Professor Raymond Dagastine is the Co-founder, CTO and former CEO of Tiny Bright Things, a University of Melbourne spin-out delivering disruptive imaging technology. The HaloElement, allows real-time, non-destructive imaging of materials and cells, which transforms the workflows in biotech, pharma, and materials science. The technology is now in use by researchers who are publishing results, demonstrating both scientific and commercial impact. Ray is a key leader in the University of Melbourne entrepreneurship ecosystem and has mentored many researchers across the institution and contributed significantly to the University’s commercialisation ecosystem. His work exemplifies how research translation can have practical impact on industry and help to shape engineering practice.

In recognition of outstanding contributions to enhancing sustainability outcomes through research, education and university operations.

2025: Tomorrow Starts Today - Champions of Sustainability

Dr Elena Taran, Dr Darryl Johnson, Dr Anders Barlow, Dr Tian Zheng, Raveen Wijesuriya, Paul Brannon, Dan Smith, Dr Alejandra Ramirez Munoz

In 2024, the team launched seed funding to support EMCR-led sustainability research at UoM and initiated My Green Lab certification across all MCFP spaces, embedding sustainable practices into everyday lab operations. They contribute actively to University-wide initiatives, including the Green Impact Program, the FEIT Sustainability Community of Practice, and the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge. Their Sustainability Champion and dedicated webpage help foster engagement, education, and connection across the broader community. Nationally, they collaborate with peers to advocate for sustainable science. With over 95% of the team commuting by active or public transport, they model a holistic and proactive approach to sustainability.

In recognition of professional staff contributions towards fulfilling the goals, values and mission of the Faculty and the University.

2025: Enhancing Experiential Learning opportunities for FEIT students and strategically growing industry partnerships

Elise Miller, Enkhzaya Adiya, Louisa Tobin, Tracey Skordos, Beth Hunter, Gabriel Di Bella, Alicia Morley, Kate Lyu

The Experiential Learning and Employability team has significantly enhanced the student employability by expanding access to high-quality, real-world industry experiences. In 2024, they facilitated a record of 558 internships, while increasing paid opportunities by 10%, helping more students gain meaningful, financially supported work experience. Their work has transformed how students engage with industry by streamlining application processes, improving visibility of opportunities and building strong, ongoing partnerships with employers. Many organisations now return year on year, citing the professionalism and support provided by the team. The Experiential Learning and Employability team are shaping our graduates to be more confident, capable and workforce ready from day 1.

In recognition of the significant research contributions of FEIT’s early career researchers.

2025: Dr Andrew Paul John

Dr Andrew Paul John has demonstrated exceptional leadership as an Early Career Researcher, developing faster, more flexible models for assessing climate vulnerability in river systems. His innovation has transformed water resource planning and enabled better understanding of climate change risks. Andrew’s work has directly influenced policy and practice, including informing the Victorian Government’s constraints strategy and contributed to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s climate assessments for the Basin Plan Review. He was appointed the youngest member of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Independent Hydroclimate Science Expert Panel. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration and technical innovation, Andrew has advanced climate resilience in water management, benefiting ecosystems, communities, and industries alike.

In recognition of the significant research contributions of FEIT’s Mid-career researchers.

2025: A/Prof Airlie Chapman

Associate Professor Airlie Chapman’s research advances the theory and application of multi-agent autonomous systems. Her work addresses fundamental challenges in robotics, aeronautical, and space technologies by developing performance-guaranteed approaches. Airlie’s innovations in distributed control now power in-orbit satellite systems, defence UAVs, and Australia’s lunar mission efforts. Her work has directly improved real-time decision-making, environmental monitoring, and public safety. As a researcher, she bridges theory and real-world impact to advance national capability and inspire the next generation of engineers.

In recognition of outstanding curiosity-driven research.

2025: Prof Majid Sarvi

Professor Majid Sarvi has dedicated his research in the past decade to improving road safety through connected vehicle technologies, helping to enable Australia’s vision of zero road deaths by 2050. His leadership and vision culminated in the formation of a national working group in 2021, uniting all state governments, the Federal Government, ITS Australia, and major industry players. Majid is the driving force behind this initiative, leading to the 2024 National Harmonisation and Pre-deployment of Connected Vehicles project. This project delivers the country’s first large-scale, real-world deployment of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems and enables real-time communication between vehicles and infrastructure to prevent accidents before they happen. His efforts are driving national policy, creating new standards, and unlocking investment in future-ready transport technology. Majid aims to improve safety, modernise transport infrastructure, and drive economic opportunity, helping to position Australia as the leader in connected mobility.

In recognition of outstanding achievements in supervision and development of the next generation of Australia's scientific researchers.

2025: Prof Greg Qiao

Professor Greg Qiao has contributed his time significantly to graduate researcher supervision. He is deeply committed to research excellence and training the next generations of scholars, while fostering a dynamic and supportive environment through regular meetings, project discussions, and individual mentoring sessions. These regular interactions not only help guide students on their research journey, but also support their personal development and career planning goals. As a supervisor, Greg promotes international engagement such as participating in major conferences, summer schools, workshops, and lab exchange visits. Drawing on his vast experience, he also imparts his knowledge in critical academic skills like journal article reviews, research proposal writing and research presentations. Under his dedicated supervision, most of his PhD student have published high-impact journal articles and have garnered international recognition, with many receiving prestigious awards nationally and internationally.