Our people | Natural Hazards Research Australia

Our people

An introduction to our people, including our staff, Board and committees, as well as researchers, end-users and students we work with.

Photo: John Bates

Staff

Andrew Gissing
Chief Executive Officer

Stacey Rosenbrock
Executive Assistant

Prof Cheryl Desha
Science and Innovation Director

Sarah Mizzi
Partnership Development Director

Dr Shiva Prasad
Research & Implementation Director

Ainsley Burgess
Communications Director

Dr Blythe McLennan
Node Research Manager - Vic & Tas

Nicola Moore
Node Research Manager - Qld & NT

George Goddard
Node Research Manager

Dr Brendon McAtee
Node Research Manager - WA & SA

Dr Rowena Morris
Node Research Manager - NSW & ACT

Naomi Westwood
Research Services Manager

Dr Supriya Gurung
Senior Project Officer Education and Training

Dr Ethel Samalca
Senior Project Officer Research and Evaluation

Jack Hawthorne
Digital and Data Manager

Vana Demetriou
Senior Research Services Project Officer

Lara Wedding
Research Services Project Officer

Kyle Smith
Research Services Project Officer

Nathan Maddock
Communications Manager

Joanna Wood
Senior Communications Officer

Lina Wood
Communications Officer

Vaia Smirneos
Senior Events Officer

Friedo Ligthart
Graphic Designer

Catherine O'Donovan
Legal Counsel

Board

Dr Greg Ayers
Board member
Doug Smith
Board member
Sandra Whight
Board member
Kate Vinot
Board member
Oliver Costello
Board member

Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee

The Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee provides the Natural Hazards Research Australia Board with assurance that there are adequate processes in place with regard to matters of risk, audit and compliance.

The role of the Committee includes, but is not limited to, oversight of:

  • management of risks relating to the work of the Centre
  • financial management and reporting
  • compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements and with the Commonwealth and Participants’ agreements
  • an external audit process and systems of internal financial control.
Kate Vinot
Board member
Oliver Costello
Board member

Education and Training Committee

The Education and Training Committee provides the Natural Hazards Research Australia Board with advice on the strategic directions that the Centre should take to support and promote training and education to improve resilience to natural hazards.

The role of the Committee includes, but is not limited to, oversight of the:

  • Postgraduate Research Scholarship and Associate Student programs
  • Early Career Researcher Development and Industry Fellowship program
  • Future Research-Skilled Workforce program
  • Research-informed education and training program.
Sandra Whight
Board member
Doug Smith
Board member
Oliver Costello
Board member
Prof Cheryl Desha
Science and Innovation Director

Research and Implementation Committee

The Research and Implementation Committee provides the Natural Hazards Research Australia Board with strategic advice on the overall development of the Centre’s research and implementation programs, consistent with the Commonwealth Funding Agreement.

The role of the Committee includes, but is not limited to, oversight of:

  • the development of the 10-year Research Strategy
  • the development and operation of the Biennial Research Program
  • the development and operation of the Research Implementation Strategy

International Research Advisory Panel

The International Research Advisory Panel provides advice to the Research and Implementation Committee of Natural Hazards Research Australia's Board on the quality and progress of the Centre’s research program and Biennial Research Plan. This will help improve research quality through providing an international perspective on research trends, collaboration opportunities, as well as professional and research development opportunities.

The Panel has representatives from the global research community with expertise relevant to the physical, social and political sciences that reflect the Centre’s research program. Members of the Panel have knowledge and experience relevant to natural hazards and disaster risk reduction.

Reconciliation Working Group

The Reconciliation Working Group was established in late-2021 to drive, coordinate and implement the first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan and future reconciliation activities across the Centre.

George Goddard
Node Research Manager

Oliver Costello
Board member
Andrew Gissing
Chief Executive Officer

Prof Cheryl Desha
Science and Innovation Director

Sandra Whight
Board member
Friedo Ligthart
Graphic Designer

Early- and Mid- Career Academic and Practitioner Network Executive Committee

The Early- and Mid-Career Academic and Practitioner (EMCAP) Network was established in 2024 to support and advocate for the next generation of natural hazards leaders, is an important step for fostering excellence in the science and management of natural hazards and to underpin the long-term development of the Centre and its outcomes. The EMCAP Network Executive Committee coordinate and manage network activities.

Researchers

Dr Caitlin Adams
Researcher

Matthew Alger
Researcher

Adrian Allen
Researcher

Ricky Archer
Researcher

James Ashley
Researcher

Jared Bailey
Researcher
Michael Bedward
Researcher

Dr Chloe Begg
Researcher

Lachlan Beggs
Researcher

Elizabeth Bennett
Researcher

Paul Bentley
Researcher

Dr Deanne Bird
Researcher

Dr Matthias Boer
Researcher

Dr Patrick Bonney
Researcher

Raymond Bott
Researcher

Jarrah Bousfield
Researcher

Prof David Bowman
Researcher

Kate Brown
Researcher

Coral Bulgar
Researcher

Danny Burton
Researcher

Dr Jamie Burton
Researcher

Phil Butler
Researcher

Otto Campion
Researcher

Dr Jane Cawson
Researcher

Prof Prem Chhetri
Researcher

Brett Cirulis
Researcher

Dr Hamish Clarke
Researcher

Yvette Clarke
Researcher

Luke Collins
Researcher

Jessica Collins
Researcher

A/Prof Brian Cook
Researcher

Dr Craig Cormick
Researcher

Mark Curtis
Researcher

Dr Dipika Dabas
Researcher

Dr Kara Dadswell
Researcher

Stewart Davies
Researcher

Febe De Geest
Researcher

Francois Delage
Researcher

A/Prof Lisa Dell
Researcher

Prof Jago Dodson
Researcher

Dr Andrew Dowdy
Researcher

Prof Matt Duckham
Researcher

Dr Graham Dwyer
Researcher

Jacob Evans
Researcher

Dr Tom Fairman
Researcher

David Field
Researcher

Prof John Fien
Researcher

Benedict Fleming
Scholarship Student

Gill Fletcher
Researcher

Prof Rhona Flin
Researcher

Dr Joe Fontaine
Researcher

Dr Rebecca Ford
Researcher

Judy Foulkes
Researcher

Jamie Freeman
Researcher

Angela Gardner
Researcher

Liza Gelt
Researcher

Steven George
Researcher

Prof Lisa Gibbs
Researcher

Dr Anna Gjedrem
Researcher

Ted Gondarra
Researcher
Jesse Greenslade
Researcher

Dr Amy Griffin
Researcher

Dr Adrien Guyot
Researcher

Barry Hanstrum
Researcher

Dr Erin Hawley
Researcher

Andrew Haywood
Researcher

Prof Kristy Hess
Researcher

Jen Hollis
Researcher

Brendan Holyland
Researcher

Shaun Hooper
Researcher

Pandora Hope
Researcher

Dr Jiawei Hou
Researcher

Alexandra Howard
Researcher

Dr Kit Huckvale
Researcher

Barry Hunter
Researcher

Dr Leila Irajifar
Researcher

Greg Ireton
Researcher

Glenn James
Researcher

Tony Jansen
Researcher
Lova Jansson
Researcher

Afie Jazreen
Researcher

Malcom Johnston
Researcher

Prof Kim Johnston
Researcher

Prof Roger Jones
Researcher

Prof Simon Jones
Researcher

Dr Anthony Kent
Researcher

Dr Jeff Kepert
Researcher

Claire Krause
Researcher

Agnes Kristina
Researcher

Dr Annette Kroen
Researcher

Dr Vinod Kumar
Researcher

Amanda Lamont
Researcher

A/Prof Anne Lane
Researcher

Justin Leonard
Researcher

Dr Steve Leonard
Researcher

Claire Leppold
Researcher

Leo Lymburner
Researcher

Deb Martindale
Researcher

Dr Matthew Mason
Researcher

Pascal Mater
Researcher

Peter May
Researcher

Dr Nick McCarthy
Early Career Research Fellow

James McGlade
Researcher

Dr Emma McNicol
Researcher

Madeleine Miller
Researcher

Gabrielle Miller
Researcher

Murray Mitchell
Researcher

Dr Gabi Mocatta
Researcher

Hannah Morrice
Researcher

Dr Rosie Morrison
Researcher

Minda Murray
Researcher

John Myles
Researcher

Sugata Narsey
Researcher

Dr Harriet Narwal
Researcher

Noelle Nemeth
Researcher

Dr Rachel Nolan
Researcher

Fyowna Norton
Researcher

Dr Petter Nyman
Researcher

James O'Brien
Researcher

Dr Stefania Ondei
Researcher

Dr Daniel Ooi
Researcher

Dr Korah Parackal
Researcher

Jackson Parker
Researcher

Dr Kate Parkins
Researcher

Dr Mika Peace
Researcher

Dr Ross Peacock
Researcher

Dr David Pedder
Researcher

Prof Trent Penman
Researcher

Philippa Perry
Researcher

Dr Bernice Plant
Researcher

Dr Matt Plucinski
Researcher

Dr Ian Pollock
Researcher

A/Prof Owen Price
Researcher

Dr Lynda Prior
Researcher

Alain Protat
Researcher

Jayaram Pudashine
Researcher

Gita Pupedis
Researcher

Phoebe Quinn
Researcher

Nathan Ramage
Researcher

Dr Mayeda Rashid
Researcher

Dr Andrea Rawluk
Researcher

Dr Tori Reynolds
Researcher

Dr Paul Ryan
Researcher

Dr Barbara Ryan
Researcher

Dr Minna Saaristo
Researcher

Owen Salkin
Researcher

Stephanie Samson
Researcher

Abhik Santra
Researcher

Anita Savic
Researcher

Roshni Sharma
Researcher

Simon Sharp
Researcher

Don Sharples
Researcher

Shukhrat Shokirov
Researcher

Helga Simon
Researcher

Amy Smart
Researcher

Deb Sparkes
End-user

Dr Ken Strahan
Researcher

Sam Suavage
Researcher

Dr Matthew Swan
Researcher

Lillian Tait
Researcher

Prof Mark Taylor
Researcher

A/Prof Mel Taylor
Researcher

Dr Matalena Tofa
Researcher

Dr Briony Towers
Researcher

Harriet Townsend
Researcher

Nur Trihantoro
Researcher

Amber Tsai
Researcher

Dr Saira Viqar
Researcher

Dr Luba Volkova
Researcher

Dr Mingzhu Wang
Researcher

Garth Warren
Researcher

Dr Loretta Watson
Researcher

Dr Chris Weston
Researcher

Carrie Wilkinson
Researcher

Lyndsey Wright
Researcher

Harvey Ye
Researcher

Celeste Young
Researcher

Prof Xinghuo Yu
Researcher

Dr Fang Yuan
Researcher

Prof Kevin Zhang
Researcher

Huqiang Zhang
Researcher

Dr Heidi Zimmer
Researcher

End-users

John Bally
End-user

TJ Bauer
End-user

Kristy Butler
End-user

Robert Byrne
End-user

Mark Chladil
End-user

Matt Collopy
End-user

Karlyn Cooper
End-user

Dr Thomas Duff
End-user

Bex Dunn
End-user

Matthew Dyer
End-user

Sam Ferguson
End-user

Chris Hardman
End-user

Simon Hiscock
End-user

Lynley Hocking
End-user

Alex Holmes
End-user

Dr Dave Hunter
End-user

Daniel Idczak
End-user

Chris Irvine
End-user

Jen Kellett
End-user

Adam Leavesley
End-user

Suzanne Leckie
End-user

Laurence McCoy
End-user

Helen McGarry
End-user

Chris Morton
End-user

Norman Mueller
End-user

Neil Munro
Researcher

Mark Owens
End-user

Clinton Pilon
End-user

Jacque Quaine
End-user

David Rose
End-user

Katelyn Samson
End-user

Dr Jane Sexton
End-user

Shellie Smyth
End-user

Simeon Telfer
Scholarship student

Rachel Treeby
End-user

Kate White
End-user

Ethan Williams
End-user

Mike Wouters
End-user

Early Career Research Fellows

Dr Kate Brady
ECR Development Fellow

Dr Amelie Jeanneau
ECR Development Fellow

Dr Phillipa McCormack
ECR Development Fellow

Students

Harikesh
Associate student

Natasa Adamovic
Scholarship Student

Sumayyah Ahmad
Associate student

Syed Adeel Akhtar
Scholarship Student

Dr Heba Mohtady Ali
Associate student

Cameron Atkinson
Scholarship student

Susan Atkinson
Associate student

Shauntelle Benjamin
Scholarship student

Louise Buckley
Scholarship student

Audrey Cetois
Scholarship Student

Sarah Cooley
Scholarship Student

Zoe D'Arcy
Scholarship Student

Annal Dhungana
Associate student

Sarah Dickson-Hoyle
Associate student

Dr Russell Dippy
Associate student

Anna Durkin
Scholarship Student

Natale Froia
Scholarship Student

Sarah-Jayne Griffiths
Scholarship Student

Ahmad Hassan
Scholarship student

Victoria Heinrich
Associate student

Christy Hung
Scholarship Student

Fadia Isaac
Scholarship student

Suki Jaiswal
Scholarship student | EMCAP Executive Committee

Tony Jarrett
Associate student

Michael Johnson
Associate Student

Saimum Kabir
Scholarship student

Sheriden Keegan
Associate Student

Anna Kennedy-Borissow
Associate Student

Matthew Kyng
Scholarship student

Jiyu Liu
Scholarship student

Brigit Maguire
Scholarship Student

Michael Meadows
Scholarship Student

Oscar Metcalfe
Scholarship Student

Louise Mitchell
Scholarship Student

Hafiz Suliman Munawar
Scholarship student

Danielle O'Hara
Associate student

Kiam Padamsey
Scholarship student

Zakria Qadir
Associate Student

Ahmed Qasim
Associate Student

Phoebe Quinn
Researcher

Douglas Radford
Associate student

Atul Kumar Rai
Associate Student

Dr Wavne Rikkers
Scholarship student

Nina Rogers
Scholarship student

Rebecca Ryan
Scholarship student

Catherine Ryland
Scholarship student

Mohamed Sharaf
Scholarship student

Kate Simmonds
Scholarship student

Heather Simpson
Scholarship student

Brad Slater
Associate Student

Jady Smith
Scholarship student

Ryan McNeilly Smith
Associate student

Dr Michael Storey
Scholarship student

Alex Tanfield
Scholarship Student

Simeon Telfer
Scholarship student

Jane Toner
Associate Student

Yunjin Wang
Associate student

Anna Williams
Associate student

Eleanor Williams
Associate student