Our Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship awardees are emerging researchers who are building their research careers following the completion of their PhD.
Our Fellows undertake research within our existing teams in order to make a significant impact in the area of their specialisation and be influential in expanding the knowledge of their relevant discipline.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowships is a competitive scheme for researchers within five years post PhD.
Awardees are selected on the basis of their emerging track record and potential to develop into independent researchers who can undertake high quality research in one of RMIT's research priority areas.
Dr Belen Zapata-Diomendi is a Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow at RMIT University. Her current research is on the health implications of city planning.
For her fellowship, her focus is on expanding her research to investigate the intangibles of city planning to create healthy and liveable cities. She is working on developing methods for the health and economic evaluation of urban and transport scenarios aiming at supporting active living.
Dr Cesar Sanchez Huertas is a Vice Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow in the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre (InPAC), in the School of Engineering where he has a leading position in the Biomedical Applications team.
His current research focuses on the development of biosensor technology aiming to make an impact in the field of diagnostics by offering advanced analytical tests. His goal is to foster the development of individually tailored therapies for more personalized medicine.
Dr Jacinthe Flore is a Vice-Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies. Her research interrogates the intersections of emerging technologies, design and user experience, and mental health.
She is particularly interested in the uptake of wearable devices, wellbeing apps, artificial intelligence and fourth generation pharmaceuticals and her research interrogates growing reliance on ‘data-driven’ mental health care.
Julie Currie is a Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow at RMIT. Her research is about understanding the ionosphere, the charged upper region of the atmosphere, and the effect on the radio waves that we use for satellite communication, and surveillance.
Currently, Julie is working with others at RMIT and externally to understand the occurrence of equatorial plasma bubbles, which are large scale irregularities in the post-sunset ionosphere. Improving forecasts of these plasma bubbles will help inform when satellite communication may be hindered in the equatorial region.
Dr Linda Varadi is a Vice Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Engineering. She is jointly hosted by the Electrical and Biomedical Engineering discipline and the Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication Enabling Capability Platform (AMF-ECP).
During the next three years of her appointment, she will be developing and evaluating novel materials and methods for the on-demand delivery and release of therapeutic agents.
Dr Nasir Mahmood is a Vice-Chancellor Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Engineering at RMIT University. His research interests include chemical designing and synthesis of advanced materials and their heterostructures for sustainable society, especially in energy (storage and conversion), environment (wastewater treatment and microwave absorption) and health (early disease detection and drug delivery).
Mahmood’s team initiated the development of 2D heterostructures to integrate nanoscale and microscale features in one structure, boosting surface reactions for catalytic water-splitting, supercapacitors and diffusion limits in batteries.
Dr Stella Liong focuses on the mechanisms driving adverse maternal and foetal consequences associated with influenza during pregnancy to improve the health outcomes of pregnant women and their babies.
Dr Laura Mumaw’s research focuses on biodiversity stewardship, community engagement, and transformative governance.
Dr Peta Murray works in the emergent field of arts-and-health; her research focuses on playful and material thinking to develop coherent narrative spaces that counter ageism and promote meaning-making.
Dr Philipp Reineck focuses on understanding and engineering carbon-based fluorescent nanomaterials such as nanodiamonds to develop bright and biocompatible fluorescent nanoparticles.
Dr Luke Wallace is focusing on developing the next generation 3D measurement techniques for enhancing information currently available to describe natural and urban environments.
Dr Thomas Angelovich studies the mechanisms which drive inflammatory diseases in HIV-infected individuals and the elderly.
Dr Marnie Badham is an artist and researcher with expertise in socially-engaged art, participatory advocacy methodologies and cultural value and evaluation.
Dr Sefa Awaworyi Churchill is an applied economist who examines the impact of ethnic fractionalisation and social forces on entrepreneurship, firm performance, inequality and poverty.
Dr Shane Duggan researches how young people understand and engage in higher education and work in the context of shifting social, cultural and economic conditions.
Dr Dorna Esrafilzadeh investigates new treatments for neurological diseases using nanostructured fibres, smart textiles and clothing incorporating integrated electronics.
Dr Rouhollah Ali Jalili is developing nanomaterials with possible industrial applications in 3D printing, fibre spinning, energy storage and conversion.
Dr Ahmad Kandjani researches the development of novel multifunctional semiconductor-metal nanocomposites to improve chemical sensing, catalytic and self-cleaning properties in materials.
Dr Asma Khalid studies bright nanoparticles that offer a unique approach for diagnostic imaging, drug release and monitoring treatment outcomes in cancer and tumour cells.
Dr Rohit Ashok Khot is an interaction designer whose research on Human Computer Interaction provides insights into how we use everyday technologies.
Dr Tu Le applies computational approaches to engineer novel materials for use in pharmaceuticals and bioactive materials, medical imaging, tissue engineering and aircraft applications.
Dr Li is a chemical engineer focused on developing low-cost, lab-on-chip devices that provide affordable, equipment-free and user-friendly diagnostic tools.
Dr Liang Ma examines the impact of neighbourhood environments on subjective well-being to facilitate the development of sustainable, equitable and healthy communities.
Dr Megan Nethercote is a researcher and architect who investigates the impact of apartment design regulations and guidelines on urban housing outcomes.
Dr Leonora Risse is an experienced applied economist exploring gender differentials in the labour market and how we can achieve a more inclusive and balanced workforce.
Dr Luba Sominsky’s research into neuroendocrine causes of infertility and obesity explores techniques to treat and reduce the health and economic burden of infertility.
Dr Mahyat Tehrany uses geographic information systems with remote sensing technologies to help detect, map and prevent natural hazards such as floods, soil erosion and bushfires.
Recognised as one of Asia’s top 10 innovators (under-35), Associate Professor Sumeet Walia’s work in electronic memories is an important step towards curing brain-related disorders.
Dr Anthony's research focus is on developing and implementing immunological techniques to investigate mucosal immune cell populations in acute and chronic lung disease models.
Dr Asian’s main research focus is in the development of a dynamic model of conditional value-at-risk for risk assessment and mitigation of transportation in urban last-mile logistics networks.
Dr Della Gaspera investigates novel functional nanomaterials using liquid precursors to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of optoelectronic devices, sensors and catalysts.
Dr Ho’s research interest focuses on the development and application of novel computational methods to model bio-chemical systems in complex environments.
Dr Hunt's research is focused on social and economic development in relation to the reform of governance and security systems as a means of promoting resilient societies after divisive conflict.
Dr Bao studies the fluorescent mechanisms of new nanomaaterials and the development of biosensors to probe biomolecules and cells.
Dr Baratchi's research focuses on shear stress, the major mechanical force applied on vascular endothelial cells by blood flow and a crucial factor in normal vascular physiology.
Dr Bosomworth’s research focuses on climate change adaptation, public policy and adaptive governance, disaster risk management, institutional and frame analysis, and the research policy interface.
Dr Daeneke focuses his research in the field of surface functionalization of 2D materials, in particular creating new materials with tailored properties.
Dr Flynn has a keen interest in both virology and immunology research; in particular in how HIV enters cells of the immune system.
Dr Gomez’s research focuses on the role of digital media in different cultural settings to understand the interrelationship between technologies, practices and culture.
Dr Hossain’s main research focus is in the area of behavioural modelling of technological innovation.
Dr Lacey’s research is located at the interface of sonic arts and urban design, investigating the role of sound installations in creative cities leading to improved social health and wellbeing.
Dr Laidlaw’s research focus is on understanding the epidemiological relationships between lead exposure and lead poisoning, autism and preeclampsia in urban areas.
Dr Lee’s research focuses on the design of nano engineered novel materials for effective therapeutic outcomes to improve global health and wellbeing.
Dr Ramanathan’s research relates to the development of new nano-biosensors/diagnostic devices with particular emphasis on detection of heavy metal ions, biomolecules, and infectious agents.
Dr Ren’s research focus is on indoor information retrieval, particularly the development of a model designed to track indoor visitors’ physical and web behaviour.
Dr Rezk’s research expertise in acoustic microfluidics has led to breakthrough discoveries in fundamental fluid flow and the fabrication of novel acoustic devices.
Dr Sinanan’s research focus is on how people use social media in their everyday lives, predominantly in relation to the themes of family relationships, politics and migration.
Dr Taylor’s research explores the intersections of housing markets and urban planning, focusing on patterns of planning system conflict.
Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellows are internationally recognised experts in their field with excellent research track records.
Our Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellows are nationally recognised for their research contributions and establishing strong research track records through quality research outputs.
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 created by Louisa Bloomer