SPEAKERS
Professor Krist V. Gernaey
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Krist V. Gernaey is professor in industrial fermentation technology ("The Novozymes professor") at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). He is also head of the Process and Systems Engineering Center (PROSYS) at DTU, and CEO of the startup Bioscavenge ApS. He got an MSc degree (1993) and a PhD (1997), both at Ghent University (Belgium).
His research has focus on large-scale fermentation, mathematical modelling, investigation of mass transfer issues across scales, process simulation and resource recovery.
Professor Anthony G. Fane
The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Associate Professor Nicky Eshtiaghi
RMIT University
Nicky Eshtiaghi is the leader of sludge rheology research and published more than 100peer-reviewed papers since 2009. She investigates the flow behaviour of solid residue (sludge) from wastewater treatment plants with the aim of optimizing energy efficiency of process in the sludge treatment lines. She is recipients of several prestigious awards including 2015 Engineers Australia’s Victorian Professional Engineer of the Year in recognition of engineering competence, leadership skills, creativity, innovation and conspicuous service to industry, the profession and society and the 2017 Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) for outstanding contribution to students learning. Before moving to Australia, she completed her Master’s degrees and worked for six years in industry before commencing a PhD at Monash University. She received her PhD degree in 2010 and started her academic life at the same year at RMIT University as a lecturer.
Professor Brent R. Young
The University of Auckland (UoA)
Brent Young is a full Professor of Food and Process Systems Engineering at The University of Auckland. Brent has a BE and PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Canterbury and 30+ years postgraduate experience in academia and consulting in Australia, Canada and NZ. A Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers UK and Engineering NZ he was the recipient of the 2014 Caltex Australasian Award of Excellence in Chemical Engineering (Teaching).
His expertise centres on two areas: 1) process modelling, simulation and control and 2) process development and design, with process and food applications
Dr Saeid Baroutian
The University of Auckland (UoA)
Professor Anthony G. Fane
The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Tony Fane is an international figure in Membrane Technology and a world leader in membrane process engineering and membrane fouling. He is former Director of the UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology and former Head of the School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry at UNSW. Prof Fane has directed membrane research in Singapore as Temasek Professor (2002-2006) at Nanyang Technological University, and as Founding Director of the Singapore Membrane Technology Centre (SMTC) at NTU. He is now Visiting Professor at SMTC. Professor Fane is on the Advisory Boards of the Journal of Membrane Science (former editor) and Desalination. He is FIChemE, Fellow of the Academy of Technological Science & Engineering, Honorary life member of the European Membrane Society and Patron of the Membrane Society of Australasia. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering and a recipient of the Centenary Medal in 2002 for services to Chemical Engineering and the Environment. He received the International Water Association (IWA) Membrane Technology Award in 2013 for ‘pioneering contributions in membrane technology’ and was joint recipient of the Prince Sultan International Water Prize (Alternative Water Resources) in 2016.
.jpg)
Professor Krist V. Gernaey
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Krist V. Gernaey is professor in industrial fermentation technology ("The Novozymes professor") at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). He is also head of the Process and Systems Engineering Center (PROSYS) at DTU, and CEO of the startup Bioscavenge ApS. He got an MSc degree (1993) and a PhD (1997), both at Ghent University (Belgium).
His research has focus on large-scale fermentation, mathematical modelling, investigation of mass transfer issues across scales, process simulation and resource recovery.
Professor Hokyong Shon
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Professor Ho Kyong Shon is an Australia Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow, the President of the Membrane Society of Australasia (MSA), the Editor for the Journal of Desalination, and the Deputy Director of Center for Technology in Water and Wastewater. He specializes in understanding physico-chemical water treatment processes in water, wastewater and seawater. His research career focuses on studying advanced membrane fabrication and the application of membrane based desalination in detailing membrane fouling mechanisms and developing novel desalination technology.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Associate Professor Nicky Eshtiaghi
RMIT University
Nicky Eshtiaghi is an Associate Professor in the chemical Engineering discipline of RMIT University. A./Prof. Eshtiaghi is one of the leading researchers in Australia in the area of sludge rheology evidenced through her Scopus h-index of 19, with more than 1280 Scopus citations, Vice-President of Australian Society of Rheology, and her industrial impact in project development and continuing engagement with 3 successful ARC Linkage grants.
​
She investigates the flow behaviour of solid residue (sludge) from wastewater treatment plants with the aim of optimizing energy efficiency of process in the sludge treatment lines. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards including 2015 Engineers Australia’s Victorian Professional Engineer of the Year for engineering competence, leadership skills, creativity, innovation, and conspicuous service to industry, the profession and society, and the 2017 Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) for outstanding contribution to students learning.
Currently she is a Fellow of Engineers Australia (EA) and a Fellow of Higher Education Academy (UK), Engineers Australia Chartered Engineer and an Editor in Chemical Engineering Research and Design Journal (Q1, Elsevier).
Dr Ludovic Dumee
Deakin University
Dr Dumee leads research on the design of Separation Materials focused on organic solvent purification, solvent separation, catalytic conversion and resource recovery at Deakin University. Dr Dumee's research is focused on the development of novel nano-materials for water desalination, industrial waste purification and gas separation. He is a materials engineer who enjoys working on multi-disciplinary projects. Ludo is currently investigating routes to fabricate nano-porous metal membranes by de-alloying, metal nano-fibre spinning, nano-particle electrical sintering and metal functionalised block co-polymer self-assembly. He has worked for more than 5 years in separation science across a variety of purification systems (membrane distillation, nano-filtration, electro-dialysis, reverse osmosis). Ludo also works across a team of researchers at Victoria University on novel pathways to reduce fouling and enhance polymeric membranes chemical resistance. He previously worked on carbon nanotube membranes for fast vapour transport and on nano-lithography techniques based on X-ray irradiation to pattern carbon nanotube surfaces. Although primarily interesting in nano-separation, Ludo has also previously worked on joint projects on flexible electronics devices fabrication, graphene interface chemistry and advanced composite materials.
.png)
.jpg)
Dr Paul Bickers
Watercare Services Limited
Dr Paul Bickers has worked in the water and wastewater field for over 20 years. He has worked mainly in treatment plant operations and specialises in biological treatment processes. Paul has worked in both treatment plant Process Engineering as well as, management of treatment plants (both large and small) Paul has been involved in technology assessments, pilot plant studies as well as technology integration and planning.
He also has managed research projects and has a PhD in Environmental engineering. Part of his responsibilities is to keep abreast of new and developing technologies and determine if they are potentially suitable to any Watercare treatment plants.
Dr Geoffrey Johnston-Hall
Evoqua Water Technologies Membrane Systems Pty Ltd
Dr Johnston-Hall is Principal Scientist at Evoqua Water Technologies Membrane Systems Pty Ltd and Vice President of Membrane Society of Australasia.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Dr Bipan Bansal
Fonterra
Dr Bipan Bansal is Principal Environmental Engineer at Fonterra. Dr Bansal has managed multiple water projects dealing with water use and efficiency, water reuse and associated risks, water quality assessment, and regulatory requirements.
Brooke Clark
Fonterra
Brooke Clark is Heat Treatment and Separation Lead at Fonterra. Brooke started as a Junior Process Engineer working for NZ Steel before moving into the dairy industry.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Thomas Board
Apex Environmental
Thomas Board is Technical director at Apex Environmental. Thomas has experience in design, construction, commissioning of membrane systems for water and wastewater applications. He is a member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers (MIChemE, FIChemE) and European Engineer (Eur Ing).
Professor Brent Young
The University of Auckland (UoA)
Brent Young is a full Professor of Food and Process Systems Engineering at The University of Auckland. Brent has a BE and PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Canterbury and 30+ years postgraduate experience in academia and consulting in Australia, Canada and NZ. A Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers UK and Engineering NZ he was the recipient of the 2014 Caltex Australasian Award of Excellence in Chemical Engineering (Teaching).
His expertise centres on two areas: 1) process modelling, simulation and control and 2) process development and design, with process and food applications
.jpg)
Dr Filicia Wicaksana
The University of Auckland (UoA)
Dr Filicia Wicaksana is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, the University of Auckland. She completed an MSc and DIC from Imperial College London. She obtained her PhD from the University of New South Wales, Australia. Before joining the University of Auckland, she was a Senior Research Fellow in Singapore Membrane Technology Centre, Nanyang Technological University.
​
Her current research interests include membrane processes for water and wastewater treatment, desalination and food processing, membrane fouling studies and fouling control strategies.
Dr Saeid Baroutian
The University of Auckland (UoA)
Dr Saeid Baroutian is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Saeid's research interests lie in the area of Process Engineering and the research that has an applied focus and able to apply his skills to provide solutions to problems and improve or integrate processes.
With the use of separation and reaction engineering concepts, his research helps to design and develop novel intensified hydrothermal, thermal and biological processes enabling recovery of high value co-products from industry waste materials.
