Ten researchers will take on major social, environmental, health and technological challenges through the UTS Chancellor’s Research Fellowship and Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellowship schemes.
Celebrating brilliant minds
In announcing the outstanding researchers who have been awarded a prestigious UTS Chancellor’s Research Fellowship and Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellowship, Professor Kate McGrath, UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), said that each of their high-quality research projects will contribute to the culture of research excellence and impact at UTS.
“We look forward to welcoming the Fellows into our vibrant research community and supporting discoveries that address diverse challenges while strengthening UTS’s research capabilities,” she said.
Each Fellow will receive a four-year appointment, project funding of up to $50,000 and additional support to advance their research. Together, they reflect UTS’s commitment to research that creates economic, social and cultural benefit.
We look forward to welcoming the Fellows into our vibrant research community and supporting discoveries that address diverse challenges while strengthening UTS’s research capabilities.
UTS Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Anika Gauja, expressed her enthusiasm for the 2027 cohort.
“I am truly excited to see such a diverse and passionate group join our institution. These fellows are not only pioneering outstanding research in their respective fields but are also contributing significantly to addressing global challenges.”
“At UTS, we pride ourselves on undertaking world-class research that delivers economic, social, and cultural prosperity to the communities where we live and work.”
“The work of this cohort epitomises the forward-thinking, innovative spirit we champion at UTS.”
Meet the 2027 Fellows
From protecting Indigenous knowledge and improving recovery after illness to rethinking energy, housing and information technologies, the 2027 Fellows share a focus on translating discovery into public benefit. Their work demonstrates the breadth of UTS research and the power of interdisciplinary thinking to address complex challenges.
As the cohort begins its four-year journey, UTS celebrates the knowledge, imagination and determination these researchers bring and the potential of their projects to create meaningful change in Australia and beyond.
Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellow
Dr Neva Collings: Australian Native Tobacco Biodiscovery and Indigenous Data Sovereignty Protocol
Dr Neva Collings will examine how digital sequence information derived from biological resources can be used commercially while bypassing established benefit-sharing arrangements. Using Nicotiana benthamiana (Pituri) as a case study, she will explore legal and policy pathways that protect Indigenous interests and strengthen Indigenous data sovereignty. Her sponsor is Professor Natalie Stoianoff.
Chancellor’s Research Fellows
Dr Xin Lu: Multi-Timescale Co-Design of Computation and Energy Infrastructures
Dr Xin Lu will develop a framework for planning and operating AI computing and electricity infrastructure together. The research will investigate how battery flexibility can help data centres connect sooner, reduce pressure on electricity networks and defer costly expansion, while balancing technical reliability and commercial viability. Expected outcomes include transferable co-design principles, an Australian benchmark and practical decision-support tools. His sponsor is Associate Professor Gang Lei.
Dr Carlo Silvestri: From near-IR to mid-IR: translating microcombs to quantum cascade lasers
Dr Carlo Silvestri aims to create compact, on-chip sources of precisely spaced mid-infrared light frequencies. These optical frequency combs could improve molecular detection and identification as well as free-space communication. By connecting advances in telecommunications photonics with mid-infrared laser technology, the project will strengthen Australian capability in advanced photonics and support future applications across defence, biomedicine and communications. His sponsor is Professor Irina Kabakova.
Dr Amy Montgomer: Rehabilitation Program to Support Recovery After Delirium and Reduce Dementia Risk in Older People
Dr Amy Montgomery will develop and evaluate Australia’s first delirium rehabilitation program. Co-designed to support physical, cognitive and emotional recovery after hospital discharge, the intervention will be tested across metropolitan and regional health services. The project will also create a national workforce capability and implementation framework, helping establish delirium rehabilitation as a priority in dementia prevention and healthy ageing. Her sponsor is Professor Meera Agar.
Dr Frederick Rodrigues: Hearing Other Minds: Sound, AI and the Perceptual Worlds of Other Species
Dr Frederick Rodrigues will use AI and signal processing to make the auditory worlds of other species perceptible to humans. By separating environmental soundscapes, magnifying rapid acoustic events and translating species-specific hearing into the human range, the project will create public experiences that test whether hearing another species’ world can deepen support for biodiversity protection. His sponsor is Professor Andrew Johnston.
Dr Francesco Bettariga: Precision Exercise Oncology: Integrating Tumour Biology and Behavioural Science in Breast Cancer
Dr Francesco Bettariga will investigate how resistance exercise might become a precision therapy for women with metastatic breast cancer. Combining exercise physiology, tumour biology, immunology and behavioural science, the research will explore how training influences cancer-cell growth, which patients are most likely to benefit and how exercise can be embedded in routine care. Its long-term goal is better quality of life, treatment outcomes and survival. His sponsor is Professor Nicolas H. Hart.
Dr Min Zheng: CO₂ Capture and Green Upgrading to C₃ Alcohols via Amine-Functionalised MOF–Catalyst Interfaces
Dr Min Zheng will develop advanced materials capable of capturing carbon dioxide and converting it, using renewable electricity, into n-propanol for use as a chemical and fuel. The project links materials science, renewable energy and carbon utilisation, with potential to support a circular, net-zero economy and future low-carbon manufacturing at industrial scale. Her sponsor is Professor Steven Langford.
Dr Anna Xu: Circular Green Synthesis: Solar-Powered Co-Production of Hydrogen and Fertiliser from Wastewater
Dr Anna Xu will pioneer a solar-powered process that transforms ammonia-rich agricultural wastewater into green hydrogen and nitrate fertiliser. By treating pollution and clean-energy production as one circular challenge, the project aims to reduce environmental harm, recover valuable resources and advance sustainable hydrogen production. Her sponsor is Professor Zhenguo Huang.
Dr Maximilian Longmuir: Parental Support, Housing Affordability, and Retirement Security
Dr Maximilian Longmuir will examine how parental support affects access to home ownership and how declining ownership influences financial security in retirement. Comparing different housing and retirement systems internationally, the project will generate evidence to inform housing assistance, superannuation, Age Pension means-testing and taxation, with the aim of reducing life-course inequality. His sponsor is Professor Peter Siminski.
Dr Pavel Tonkaev: Quantum Metaphotonics for Sustainable AI and Future Information Technologies
Dr Pavel Tonkaev will combine ultrathin optical structures called metasurfaces with quantum materials to generate and control quantum light at extremely small scales. The project seeks compact, energy-efficient technologies for quantum communication, sensing and low-energy information processing, building Australian expertise in quantum photonics and nanotechnology while contributing to a more sustainable digital future. His sponsor is Professor Milos Toth.
What’s next?
- Learn more about the UTS Chancellor’s Research Fellowship and Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellowship