Key Researchers

Key Researchers

Security and Resilience Hub

Professor John Thangarajah

Professor John Thangarajah

Hub Director

    Professor Thangarajah is a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), specialising in autonomous multi-agent systems and human–machine teaming, and leads RMIT’s Security and Resilience Hub as its Director. 
    Professor Pier Marzocca

    Professor Pier Marzocca

    National Security Lead

      Professor Marzocca is a recognised leader in aerospace and defence research, advancing digital engineering, multi-physics modelling, and complex aerospace and energy systems. Professor Marzocca is the Director of RMIT’s Sir Lawrence Wackett Aerospace and Defence Centre.
      Dr. Erica Kuligowski

      Dr. Erica Kuligowski

      Disaster Management Lead

        Dr. Kuligowski is an internationally recognised expert in behavioural disaster research, integrating engineering and sociology, to improve emergency management and resilience.
        Professor Kate Nguyen

        Professor Kate Nguyen

        Resilient Infrastructure Lead

          Professor Nguyen leads RMIT’s Innovative Fire and Facade Engineering Group, developing advanced materials and construction solutions for sustainability and fire safety.

          Professor Matt Duckham

          Professor Matt Duckham

            Professor Duckham, Director, RMIT’s Information in Society Enabling Impact Platform, is an international leader in spatial reasoning, AI, and geospatial computing, driving innovation in defence, emergency management, and disaster Resilience. 
            Professor Sujeeva Setunge

            Professor Sujeeva Setunge

              Professor Setunge is a research leader focused on translating fundamental and applied research into impact and leads RMIT’s TREMS hub through global academic and industry Partnerships. 
              Professor Andrew Greentree

              Professor Andrew Greentree

                Professor Greentree is an international leader in quantum science, advancing quantum sensing, information, and secure systems through industry Collaboration. 
                Professor Zahir Tari

                Professor Zahir Tari

                  Professor Tari is a specialist in cybersecurity and system resilience, known for pioneering solutions in anomaly detection and large-scale systems.
                  Dr. Damiano Spina

                  Dr. Damiano Spina

                    Dr. Spina is an award-winning researcher advancing responsible, human-centred information access, retrieval-augmented generation, and conversational AI.
                    Professor Kandeepan Sithamparanathan

                    Professor Kandeepan Sithamparanathan

                      Professor Sithamparanathan is an expert in satellite, wireless, airborne, and cognitive radio communications for next-generation networks
                      Professor Guomin ‘Kevin’ Zhang

                      Professor Guomin ‘Kevin’ Zhang

                        Professor Zhang is a specialist in sustainable construction and asset management, supported by digital engineering and life-cycle assessment.
                        Associate Professor Dilan Robert

                        Associate Professor Dilan Robert

                          Associate Professor Robert is a recognised leader in experimental and modelling research on construction materials and infrastructure performance.
                          Professor Iqbal Gondal

                          Professor Iqbal Gondal

                            Professor Gondal is an Associate Dean of Cloud, Systems and Security at RMIT University. He has received significant funding to support research in intelligent malware analysis, threat intelligence, fraud detection, cyber-attack triage, malware web-inject detection, phishing attack identification, remote condition monitoring, and blockchain.
                            Associate Professor Toh Yen Pang

                            Associate Professor Toh Yen Pang

                              Associate Professor Pang specialises in systems design, biomechanical modelling, and developing digital twins for advanced biomedical research. His research focuses on integrating advanced technology and simulation applications into the development of bioengineered models and devices.
                              Professor Cees Bil

                              Professor Cees Bil

                                Professor Bil is a Professor in aerospace engineering with expertise in complex systems design, optimisation, and autonomous systems. He is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and AIAA Region VII Director.
                                Professor Sumeet Walia

                                Professor Sumeet Walia

                                  Professor Walia is the Director of RMIT’s Centre for OptoElectronic Materials and Sensors (COMAS) leading research in opto-electronic materials and sensors.
                                  Professor Suelynn Choy

                                  Professor Suelynn Choy

                                    Professor Choy is an expert in GNSS and precise satellite positioning, applying space-based technologies to atmospheric and environmental monitoring.
                                    Professor Asha Rao

                                    Professor Asha Rao

                                      Professor Rao is a leader in cyber resilience and digital trust, spanning cryptography, cybersecurity, and policy responses to emerging threats.
                                      Dr. Sebastian Rodriguez

                                      Dr. Sebastian Rodriguez

                                        Dr. Rodriguez specialises in AI software engineering, leading applied research in simulation, emergency management, energy, and logistics. 
                                        Professor Priya Rajagopalan

                                        Professor Priya Rajagopalan

                                          Professor Rajagopalan is a building scientist researching energy-efficient buildings, indoor environmental quality, and climate adaptation.
                                          Professor Jennifer Palmer

                                          Professor Jennifer Palmer

                                            Professor Palmer is a pioneer in aerospace engineering, specialising in autonomous aerial systems, swarming, and novel air vehicle design.
                                            Associate Professor Tariq Maqsood

                                            Associate Professor Tariq Maqsood

                                              Associate Professor Maqsood is an expert in natural hazard risk assessment, focusing on reducing vulnerability and enhancing community resilience.
                                              Dr. Mittul Vahanvati

                                              Dr. Mittul Vahanvati

                                                Dr. Vahanvati is recognised for improving housing resilience through governance and capacity building in post-disaster recovery.
                                                Dr. Chamila Gunasekara

                                                Dr. Chamila Gunasekara

                                                  Dr. Gunasekara is a Chartered Member of Engineers Australia (CPEng), bringing with him experience in the construction engineering and structural design sectors. He has been leading research in low-carbon concrete, construction materials, and structural engineering.

                                                  Please note that the Security & Resilience Hub works in collaboration with many researchers, and this list is not exhaustive.

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                                                  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.

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