Our staff
Prof Steven Prawer, Director
Steven is a professor in the School of Physics and the Inaugural Director of the Melbourne Materials Institute (MMI). He has a world-wide reputation in advanced diamond science and technology with over 20 years of experience and over 200 scientific publications. Building on Steven’s diamond expertise, the MMI has joined the Bionic Vision Australia (BVA) consortium in 2010. The MMI’s contribution to the ‘Bionic Eye’ is the creation of a diamond electrode suitable for use as a retinal implant. Steven was elected to the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2010.
Ph: 834 45460
Gaby Bright, Manager
Gaby has responsibility for the strategic program development and delivery as well as the day-to-day management of the Institute. Originally a physicist, she has professional experience in science and technology communication as well as research management.
Ph: 834 47605
Irving Liaw, Technical Support Manager
Irving has a background in surface science research and has worked at the LCN, the CIEEM and at the School of Chemistry. His areas of expertise include excimer UV photo-processing, X-ray characterisation techniques and vacuum science. His role within the MMI is to oversee the implementation of the Platforms Development Programme. He actively participates in research with various groups worldwide and has co-authored on over 23 published journal articles. In his spare time, Irving enjoys tuning Japanese cars.
Ph: 834 40176
Annabelle Pontvianne, Communications and Project Officer
Annabelle is in charge of the planning, implementation and oversight of the MMI’s communications activities. A physics graduate, she turned to science communication to share her interest in science with non specialist audiences and promote scientific research. Her professional experience includes science journalism and exhibitions.
Ph: 903 53828
Lilian Tan, Project and Administrative Officer
Lilian joined the Melbourne Materials Institute in June 2011 and is responsible for the management and coordination of some of the MMI's projects including the MMI-CSIRO PhD Student Scholarship and the Interdisciplinary PhD Program. Presently, she is completing a a postgraduate qualification on a part-time basis in the University of Melbourne. She has a broad interest in communication techniques and cultural considerations.
Ph: 834 46415
Benjamin Hibbs, Platform Support Officer (Advanced Fluorescence Imaging)
Ben is a recent graduate of the University of Monash with a double degree in Micromolecular Biology and English. He joined the MMI in August 2012 (on his birthday) and supports the Advanced Fluorescence Imaging platform, overseeing training and process development. His expertise include: fluorescence imaging, electron microscopy and scientific communications. In his spare time, Ben enjoys photography and looks after four of his family’s horses.
Ph: 903 57749
Marta Redrado Notivoli, Platform Support Officer (Colloidal Characterisation)
Marta has a background in nanotechnology and materials characterisation. She has worked at the Spanish National Research Council (CISC), the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol and at the CSIRO. At the University of Melbourne since 2010, Marta joined MMI in August 2012 in her role to support the Colloidal Characterisation platform. Her expertise is in the analysis of surfaces through the application of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Outside of work, she enjoys travelling and off-road 4WD.
Ph: 903 58587