Field: Energy management, low carbon energy systems, sustainable manufacturing
Based at: University of Technology Sydney
Partnered with: Cisco + Innovation Central Sydney
What inspires your work?
It may sound cliché, but it is really about leaving this world in a better state than I’ve found it in. And that humans are capable of acts of ingenuity when they put our minds to it, especially when they open themselves to care for each other and for the natural world. Just look at the healing of the ozone layer, which was once one of our biggest existential threats. Endeavours of this kind make me feel hopeful and that I can be a part of something bigger and significant.
What big problem or challenge are you trying to solve right now?
I wouldn’t say there’s one thing, but if I had to, I want to see a competitive, innovative manufacturing sector in Australia that can confidently support net zero goals without sacrificing competitiveness, and even turn that into its greatest advantage; digital technologies at the shop floor and across supply chains that can support higher energy productivity. However, these technological opportunities also introduce new challenges: cyber risks, workforce re-skilling, to name a few. How do we mitigate future risks while keeping things simple?
I am also currently supporting a cohort of very smart researchers at UTS to ensure Australia’s digital infrastructure (think data centres) is built in a way that not only considers but even supports community needs in the process.
What are you excited about in 2026?
Connecting with new like-minded people through the opportunities provided by my university and the NIIN, but also with not so like-minded ones, and learning to contribute to difficult conversations. There is no growth or learning in the comfort zone, and stagnating seems to me somehow scarier than a difficult or awkward conversation.
Why is collaboration so important in your field?
It would be hard to find any field where collaboration is not important, as the saying goes ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together’. A little cliché but obvious nonetheless!
But how committed are we to doing what it takes to drive change? What are we willing to let go of or tolerate in the pursuit of innovation? Are we willing to park our ego at least long enough to hear what others have to offer? Or accept that our communication style and ideas won’t always come first? I think this is an important conversation to have upfront, and, whilst naturally difficult, can lead to a better outcome in nearly every instance. And hey, we might even enjoy building something with others.
One piece of advice for emerging innovators?
Use sandboxed environments, like Innovation Central, to test ideas and connect with researchers and industry to challenge assumptions, inform scenarios and perhaps complement your solution through existing toolkits.