People

ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS) brings together a team of multi-disciplinary researchers spanning optical physics, photonic chip technology, materials science, and sophisticated digital and microwave electronics from eight universities.

Find out more about our team below:

Centre Director

Distinguished Professor Arnan Mitchell

Arnan is an integrated photonics expert creating technological solutions across data communications, biomedical, precision measurement and space applications.

Chief Investigators

Professor Andre Luiten

Andre is a physicist and entrepreneur specialising in using clocks for precision measurement.

Dr Andreas (Andy) Boes

Andy is a photonics engineer who specialises in integrated circuits and optical frequency combs and their use for LiDAR, positioning and time measurements.

Professor Arthur Lowery

Arthur's work in developing bespoke photonic devices for optical communications has driven innovation globally.

Professor Baohua Jia

Baohua uses light to interact with 2D materials to design nanostructures and nanomaterials for faster optical communications.

Professor Benjamin Eggleton

Benjamin is a physicist interested in using non-linear optics for ultrafast optical signal processing.

Professor (Carel) Martijn de Sterke

Martijn is a theoretical physicist with interests in nonlinear optics, lasers, and theoretical mechanics.

Professor David Lancaster

David is a laser researcher and inventor who is interested in sensing, defence and advanced manufacturing applications.

Professor David Moss

David is a nanophotonics researcher focused on microcomb technology for use in data communications.

Professor Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem

Heike is a specialist in photonics materials – particularly glass and fibres – used for outcomes in advanced manufacturing and defence.

Associate Professor Irina Kabakova

Irina is an optical physicist exploring advanced imaging techniques for modern biomedical optics, biology and bioengineering.

Distinguished Professor Jean Brodie

Jean is an astronomer who uses light to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies.

Associate Professor Jian Zhen Ou

Jian Zhen is a specialist in developing nanomaterials and devising instruments for more accurate biological, ions, and gas sensing.

Professor Kishan Dholakia

Kishan is a biophotonics specialist with an interest in fundamental photonics and interdisciplinary science.

Professor Meghan Miller

Meghan is an observational seismologist that seeks to understand the structural and dynamic evolution of the Earth.

Professor Michael Murphy

Michael is an astrophysicist and helped to develop astrocombs to help measure tiny effects in astronomical objects of potentially fundamental importance for physics.

Professor Sumeet Walia

Sumeet is a materials engineer and creates devices that mimic human vision and brain function for advanced neuromorphics, sensors and precision measurement.

Dr William (Bill) Corcoran

Bill is an optical communications researcher focusing on using novel photonic technologies to fix problems in the systems underpinning the backbone of the internet.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.