Faculty of Engineering 2

Doctor of Philosophy

Borges Carneiro, Andreia

Thesis Title

Synthesis of Bio-Based Functional Nanoparticles from Rice Husk for Pesticide Delivery

Supervisors

• Professor Zhanying Zhang (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Morteza Hassanpour (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis developed sustainable, bio-based functional nanoparticles from rice husk for smart pesticide delivery in agriculture. The study provides innovative approaches for improving pesticide efficiency while reducing environmental contamination and reliance on non-renewable materials to synthesize nanoparticles. The research explored the synthesis and application of silica and lignin-silica hybrid nanoparticles fully derived from rice husk for the controlled delivery of biological and chemical pesticides. The nanocarriers enabled pH-responsive delivery of a biopesticide against Helicoverpa armigera and effective delivery of the fungicide prochloraz against Fusarium oxysporum. These nanosystems improved pesticide adhesion, washout resistance, and efficacy, supporting sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Cervantes Guzman, Jovanna

Thesis Title

Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Biotechnology and Medical Technology Industry

Supervisors

• Distinguished Professor Dietmar Hutmacher (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Shane Mathews (Associate Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Martin Obschonka (External Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis investigates the persistent underrepresentation of women entrepreneurs in the Biotechnology and Medical Technology (Bio&MedTech) sector. The research comprises three interconnected studies, each contributing to incentivise women’s entrepreneurship in Bio&MedTech. Study 1 establishes the foundation by identifying key factors influencing women’s entrepreneurial intentions through a systematic literature review. Study 2 extends this by quantitatively analysing the impact of entrepreneurial orientation factors and barriers faced. Study 3 complements these with qualitative insights into real-life strategies used by women entrepreneurs. The thesis offers evidence-based recommendations to bridge the gender gap, fostering innovation and sustainable growth in Bio&MedTech.

Chalmers, Rachel

Thesis Title

A Parametric Virtual Design Algorithm and Optimised Additive Manufacturing Protocol for Thoracolumbar-Sacral Orthoses

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Judith Little (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Marie-Luise Wille (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Sinduja Suresh (Associate Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Geoffrey Askin (External Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Robert Labrom (External Supervisor)

Citation

Thoracolumbar-sacral orthoses (TLSOs), or scoliosis braces, are essential devices for treating and managing adolescent scoliosis. These braces are custom-made but often time-consuming to produce, which can impact treatment success and patient satisfaction. This thesis investigated how 3D technology could improve the production process. By integrating 3D scanning, digital design workflows, and 3D printing, a streamlined patient-to-product pipeline was developed. The digital design algorithm, material properties, and print settings were rigorously evaluated for practical application. A short-term pilot evaluation using a custom 3D-printed brace demonstrated the feasibility of this approach to accelerate production and support improved clinical outcomes in scoliosis care.

Charles, Robert

Thesis Title

An Investigation into the Performance and Implementation of the Early Contractor Involvement Procurement Model within the Australian Infrastructure Sector

Supervisors

• Professor Bo Xia (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Yan Cheung (Associate Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Ronald Skitmore (External Supervisor)

Citation

The Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) procurement model has been used for the delivery of infrastructure projects in Australia since 2005. Despite introduction two decades ago, research to date has not comprehensively investigated the performance offered by ECI, and the process that should be employed when preparing a forthcoming project for procurement under the model. This study examines how ECI performs as an integrated procurement model, and the means by which ECI should be implemented within the context of infrastructure project delivery. The findings of this study provide the Australian construction industry with much-needed guidance on the utilisation of ECI procurement.

Currie, Louis

Thesis Title

The Development and Application of Novel Zeolite and Granular Ferric Hydroxide Materials for Sustainable Applications in Wastewater Treatment

Supervisors

• Professor Graeme Millar (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Veronica Gray (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Lalehvash Moghaddam (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

Water resources face growing threats from dissolved ions such as ammonium and phosphate, which harm aquatic ecosystems and endanger human health. These essential yet finite nutrients are critical for agriculture, and their loss undermines global food security unless sustainably recovered and reused. This thesis engineered composite beads with tailored size, mechanical strength, and adsorption capacity for recovering these contaminants. The beads demonstrated effective removal performance and could be regenerated for multiple cycles. Moreover, this thesis proposed that the spent regeneration solutions can potentially be used as a fertiliser ingredient, promoting a circular approach to nutrient recovery and sustainable resource management.

Ke, Meihong

Thesis Title

Mechanisms of Industrial Clusters in Airport Landslide Development

Supervisors

• Professor Douglas Charles Baker (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Christy Collis (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis evaluates the impact of airports on land uses in and around airport land by a mixed research design, combining a statistical analysis based on secondary data and a case study on Brisbane Airport. The research finds that the role of airports as transport hubs is not the dominant mechanism that drives industries to locate in airport areas, rather, the surrounding city economy provided the primary impetus for business location. The findings provide a reference for policymakers regarding investment in airport expansion or construction, as well as a refining of the understanding of the local economic impact of airports.

Ling, Qiyang

Thesis Title

Biomass Derived Nanomaterials for Pickering Emulsion Biocatalysis Applications

Supervisors

• Professor Mark Harrison (Principal Supervisor)
• Professor YuanTong Gu (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Morteza Hassanpour (External Supervisor)

Citation

Biocatalysis offers a sustainable and selective alternative to conventional synthesis, while biphasic systems face mass transfer and enzyme stability challenges. Pickering emulsions, stabilized by solid particles at liquid–liquid interfaces, improve interfacial area and reaction efficiency. This research develops biomass-derived nanomaterials from rice husk—including lignin nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, cellulose nanocrystals, and nanofibers—for emulsion stabilization. A biorefinery approach is employed to generate and evaluate these nanomaterials in Pickering emulsion applications and their role in phytosterol ester biosynthesis. Findings highlight lignocellulosic biomass as a renewable feedstock for sustainable nanomaterials, advancing green alternatives to synthetic stabilizers in biocatalysis industry.

Milton, Laura

Thesis Title

A 3D Printed Well-Insert for Generating Multiple Local Niches in Multi-Well Plates

Supervisors

• Professor Yi-Chin Toh (Principal Supervisor)
• Distinguished Professor Dietmar Hutmacher (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Christoph Meinert (External Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis addresses the need for simple laboratory models that better represent how different cell types interact within and between organs. It presents the Localized Microenvironment Well (LM-Well), a 3D-printed insert that enables the creation of multiple, tailored cell environments within a single culture well. The LM-Well arranges soft gel materials with distinct properties and oxygen levels to support diverse cell types and facilitate their interactions. This accessible platform advances the study of tissue crosstalk and drug responses in more physiologically relevant laboratory models.

Mohseni, Yasaman

Thesis Title

Establishing Guidelines to Implement FFF Technique in the Automotive Industry: Voids, Complex Geometries and Slicing Strategy

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Judith Little (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Sinduja Suresh (Associate Supervisor)
• Mr Marcello Riotto (External Supervisor)
• Adjunct Professor Prasad Yarlagadda (External Supervisor)

Citation

Additive manufacturing is emerging as a key technology in the automotive industry due to its critical advantages in lightweight and customised production. However, the reliability of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is limited by internal voids that reduce mechanical performance. This thesis investigates the influence of void characteristics on the mechanical behaviour of 3D-printed plastic parts in standard specimens and complex geometries. A Design for Six Sigma (DMADV) framework is developed to translate material behaviour from standard models to real components, enabling informed slicing strategies. The research provides new, evidence-based, practical guidelines to improve reliability and support industrial implementation of FFF.

Nguyen, Long

Thesis Title

Gelatin-Based Hydrogels for Chondrocyte Research and Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Supervisors

• Professor Travis Klein (Principal Supervisor)
• Dr Karsten Schrobback (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

Osteoarthritis, a painful joint disease affecting over 500 million people worldwide, arises when cartilage, the smooth tissue that cushions joints,  breaks down. Current treatments ease symptoms but cannot fully restore cartilage. This thesis explored new biomaterials called GelMA-based hydrogels, which mimic natural cartilage and can host living cells. By combining these hydrogels with biological and mechanical stimuli, such as added proteins or gentle compression, the studies showed improved cartilage-like tissue growth. These findings highlight the promise of GelMA-based hydrogels plus stimuli as a pathway toward future therapies for cartilage repair and osteoarthritis.

Pham, Hoang Son

Thesis Title

Application of Radiation Therapy to Study Tumour Response in a Three-Dimensional in vitro Model of Breast Cancer

Supervisors

• Professor Laura Bray (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Larisa Haupt (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Akhilandeshwari Ravichandran (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

Despite advances in breast cancer (BCa) research, treatment remains challenging due to tumour heterogeneity. Traditional 2D and animal models fail to accurately replicate the tumour microenvironment. This study utilises 3D GelMA hydrogels to investigate radiotherapy (RT) responses in BCa, including the FAST-Forward RT regimen and combination with chemotherapy. Results demonstrate that 3D models better reflect clinical outcomes, enable analysis of radioresistance, and support personalised therapy development. Patient-derived 3D models showed effective treatment responses, highlighting the potential of combining RT with new drugs. These GelMA hydrogels offer a promising tool for preclinical screening and advancing personalised BCa treatments.

Uribe Acosta, Natali

Thesis Title

From Microstructure to Mechanics: A Parametric Study of Bone Shape, Density Distribution, and Internal Organisation Across Diverse Age Groups

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Saulo Martelli (Principal Supervisor)
• Professor Peter Pivonka (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Dermot O'Rourke (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis develops a parametric finite element model to investigate age-related changes and interindividual differences in bone strength across adulthood. Integrating bone shape, density, and microstructural orientation through principal component analysis, it enables realistic simulation of the proximal femur under physiological loading. By incorporating orthotropic material properties aligned with trabecular architecture, the model captures direction-dependent mechanical behaviour that isotropic formulations cannot represent. Covering ages 20 to 92, it reveals how age, density, and structure influence femoral strength and advances predictive tools for early detection of bone deterioration and improved fracture risk assessment.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Engineering Studies

• ALI, Jabain
• FAIX, Benjamin James
• GRANT, Tristan Jamieson
• HEINIGER, Jack Liam
• KHAN, Wajid Ali
• KUMMEROW, Lydia
• LEUNG, Sui Hong
• PERVEEN, Sajida
• WHITE, Alexander Alan John

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – Third Class Honours

• TROUT, Emily Marie

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Medical) – Third Class Honours

• LOVELOCK-SWEENEY, Tristan

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – Second Class Honours – Division B

• KASHANI, Monica Fernandes
• RANA, Dilan Chandrakant

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Medical) – Second Class Honours – Division B

• HUGHES, Elijah Strazzaboschi

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical and Sustainable Process) – Second Class Honours – Division A

• ADHIKARI, Subigya

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – Second Class Honours – Division A

• GREENE, Joseph Peter Vincent
• KIM, Dohyeong

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Medical) – Second Class Honours – Division A

• GILLETT, Matthew James Harold
• TUCKER, Lachlan
• WOLSTENCROFT, Jonah James

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – First Class Honours

• CRONK, Henry Jack
• VU, Thi Thai Minh

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Medical) – First Class Honours

• AZZI, Benjamin William
• KOK, Leanne Qong Yee
• MOFFATT, Aaron Thomas
• WILLMER, Sophie Leigh

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Construction Management) – Third Class Honours

• MOLONEY, Jacob James

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Construction Management) – Second Class Honours – Division B

• ABEL, Torey Christopher
• ANDERSON, Charles Robert
• BRADFORD, Jason James
• BRADFORD, Jonathan Campbell
• CAMPBELL, Samuel Jack
• CARSON, Kyah Jade
• CLOUGH, Luka William Hudson
• COSTANZO, Samantha Ann
• DONATACCIO, Ryan James
• GALBRAITH, Thomas Scot
• HADDOCK, Seamus Oliver
• HASSEN, Hamzah
• HAYES, Connor Andrew
• HUNDAL, Divtej Singh
• MACLEOD, Ewan Lindsay
• MASON, Jesse Carnegie
• MAYNARD, Connor Dean
• MCGUIRE, Mathew Richard
• MCKINLAY, Campbell Patrick
• NICHOLLS, Duncan Alexander
• PYNE, Hunter
• SARIDAKIS, Johnnie Anthony
• SCHMIDT, Raepa
• SMITH, Aiden Damian
• WRUCK, Ethan Flynn

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Quantity Surveying and  Cost Engineering) – Second Class Honours – Division B

• IP, Tsz Fai
• NGUYEN, Bach

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Urban and Regional Planning) – Second Class Honours – Division B

• GEORGE, Bailey Lachlan
• LOWE, Andre Gordon
• YAN, Henry Man Kin

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Construction Management) – Second Class Honours – Division A

• AGNEW, Casey James
• ALLEN, Isabella Rose
• ANDERSON, Steven
• BAKER, Dayan James
• BARTON, Mackenzie Kate
• CLARK-MURPHY, Declan Oliver
• COLBERT, Kai Christopher
• CRISP, William George
• CURTIS, Ava Louise
• DE RUITER, Chloe Louise
• DEARDEN, William George Francis
• HEALY, Makayla Chyler
• HUTH, William James
• JENKINS, Edward John Dominic
• JENKINS, Harry Matthew
• KUBLER, Will Jonathon
• LE, Thinh Van Quoc
• LIMA VIVANTI, Matthew Luca
• MANAHAN, Daniel James
• MILES, Max James Sydney
• NALL, Byron Craig
• OBEID, Mario
• O'DONNELLY, Lachlan
• RICHMOND, Finnegan Hardy
• ROBERTS, Campbell James
• STAFF, Tamsin Ellen
• TAYLOR, Harry Edward John
• THOMAS, Matthew William
• TULLY, Tyler James
• TYLER-BATTAGLIA, Dean Stefano
• VAN DER VENNET, Jef Didier Elke
• WANG, Max
• WEATHERBY, Lily Katherine
• ZANARDO, Noah Xavier

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Quantity Surveying and  Cost Engineering) – Second Class Honours – Division A

• CHENG, Yik Chun
• MCDONALD, Lochlan Dean

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Urban and Regional Planning) – Second Class Honours – Division A

• CAMILLERI, Gabriella Grace
• GAYDON, Edward Dempsey
• KENNEDY, Mitchell Lyons
• KING, Jonty James
• NOCIFORO, Luca Sebastiano
• O'BRIEN, Grace Caitlin
• O'CALLAGHAN, Oliver Francis
• SNELLGROVE, Thomas Douglas

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Construction Management) – First Class Honours

• BARNARD, Lachlan Robert
• CLEGG, Nicholas Francis
• FORDHAM, Jake Brian
• HALL-YOUNG, Hannah Elizabeth
• HOWARD, Hannah Rose
• PAECH, Jessica Clare
• PATERSON, Alec Andrew
• SAFONOFF, Reece Christopher
• SCIACCA, Alexandra Dominique
• TAMS, Jack Edward Butler
• TANOVIC, Karren Therese

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Quantity Surveying and  Cost Engineering) – First Class Honours

• APPERLEY, Thomas Jack
• COSTIN, Hayden Elliott
• KENDALL, Michael
• ROSARIO, Alyanna
• TANG, Man Ho
• YOSHIDA-MARTIN, Luka

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Urban and Regional Planning) – First Class Honours

• ALEXANDER-BATES, Harriet
• ATCHISON, Rebecca Simone
• COOPER, Jared Thomas
• CURRY, Joshua
• CURTIS, India Beth
• GALLAGHER, Edward Christopher
• KLINE, Stephanie Jane
• MANIAS, Oliver Nicholas
• STEFFEN, Isabella Jane
• WARD, Kahlia

Bachelor of Business (Finance)/Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – First Class Honours

• FORD, Billie Cooper

Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) – with Distinction/Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – First Class Honours

• WITHERS-KELK, Blake Alexander

Bachelor of Business (Management) – with Distinction/Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – First Class Honours

• CHRISTIE, Timothy Mark Hampden

Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design)/Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – First Class Honours

• WEATHERALL, Emily Jane

Bachelor of Design (Architecture)/Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Construction Management) – Second Class Honours – Division A

• JAMES, Abigail Ruth
• MCDONALD, Alex Victoria

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Medical) – Second Class Honours – Division B/Bachelor of Science (Physics)

• THOMAS, Stephanie Ann

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Medical) – Second Class Honours – Division A/Bachelor of Science (Physics)

• GARBUTT, Michael Joseph

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – Second Class Honours – Division A/Bachelor of Science (Physics) – with Distinction

• STONE, Emily Morgan

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – First Class Honours/Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)

• MARSH, Ryan Peter

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical Process) – First Class Honours/Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) – with Distinction

• BEUTEL, Bailey Joe

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Medical) – First Class Honours/Bachelor of Science (Physics) – with Distinction

• PRICE, Maddie

Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Urban and Regional Planning) – First Class Honours/Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) – with Distinction

• BURKE, Riley James
• SMITH, Jerard Jyare
• STURGEON, Victoria Joy
• TRUONG, Kimberley

Postgraduate

Graduate Certificate in Communication for Engineering

• DANDU, Keerthana
• NAGULURI, Charan Manikanta Sai Krishna
• THAPA, Manumaya

Graduate Certificate in Project Management

• BARNES, Glen James
• BARRY, Kira Louise
• BEAUMONT, Alexander Cameron
• BRANDON, Steven Ernest
• BULLWINKEL, Geordie
• BVUMBE, Tatenda Joseph
• CARNEY, Emily Justine
• CHOO, Rachel Hong Lee
• DOWNS, Leilani Jasmin
• DUMIGAN, Kiah Reid
• ELLIS, Orathai-Grace Jennifer
• FRASER, Dean Allan
• GAW, Lauren Jayne
• HALL, Mark David
• HOLMAN, Audrey
• LAUCHLAN, Stephanie Michelle
• LAWLEY, Anna Jane
• LAWSON, Caitlin
• LIANG, Sammy
• MAINWARING, Andrew David Walter
• MARQUES BARRETT, Sabrina Cipriano
• MATHIESON, Zachary Sean
• MCDOWALL, Shelyere
• MCGINN, Rachel Elizabeth
• MOORE, Maxine Audrey
• MULHOLLAND, Ainslie Jeanette Sian
• NESKOVIC, Bojan
• NEVILLE, Sophie Elizabeth
• NIKODEM, Adam Timothy
• SCOTT, Belle Lee
• SMITH, Stephen John Skopal
• SNEATH, Shintaro
• TAYLOR, Lisa Suleiman
• TRIFFETT, Toby James
• VANDERMEER, Jessica
• VROOM, David Dominique
• WAHBE, Morhaf Ammar
• WILSON, Jack Alexander
• WITTING, Aiden Trent

Master of Advanced Manufacturing (Digital and Robotic Manufacturing) – with Distinction

• DI, Zenan

Master of Engineering Management

• ADHIKARI, Bibek
• AGHAIBORHAN, Mahyar
• AJITH, Aravind
• BANGA, Sakshee
• BASSAL, Maher Mostafa
• BHAT, Athul Mahabaleshwara
• KEEREE, Natat
• KUMAR, Anish
• KUNAM, Sai Sumanth Reddy
• LIU, Nian
• LUI, Gordon Alick
• NAMADI, Krishna Vamsi
• PUENTES RUIZ, John Jairo
• SALDANHA, Graeme Joseph
• SUFICIENCIA, Neil John Lackar
• TEPWIMONPETKUN, Samattachai
• THYAGARAJ, Dhanush
• WANKHEDE, Akash Namdevrao
• YOGI, Sandeep

Master of Project Management

• AMANDEEP SINGH,
• ARASU JULIYA, Sona
• BEVAN, Brandon Lockwood
• EDALATIAN, Shadi
• HAJA, Ashik
• HENDERSON, Callum Charles
• HIMAWAN, Ivan
• HUNT, Andrew
• JACKSON, David John
• KANNAN, Amitesh
• KARKADA PRAKASH UPADHYAYA, Adithya
• KING, Stuart Russell
• MANI, Narayan Moorthy
• MILLS, David Brett
• O'FLAHERTY, Patrick Thomas Eamon
• PARTOGI, Jeremie Larry
• PATIL, Siddhi Suresh
• PRASAD, Anandu
• THOMPSON, Tsipporah Havah
• TOKOME, Lachlan Leslie Johnbilie

Master of Project Management – with Distinction

• BARRA, Dominic
• DEEP, Dewanshu
• HABIBISERESHT, Shahabodin
• KIRKMAN, Katherine Amy
• LLOYD, Colleen Margaret
• MOHAMMAD MAGHREBI, Mahsa
• NAIR, Shreejith Baburaj
• PANDZO, Haris
• PATIL, Jayesh Ravindra
• TRAN, Hong Phuong
• YEO, Wee Teck

Master of Philosophy

• TAN, Ziqing

Master of Philosophy (Engineering)

• AHMED, Sakib