ALEPH TEAM
Experts in space biology, engineering, education and outreach
Our project is driven by a diverse team of specialists across aerospace engineering, plant biology, environmental science, education and outreach, working across partner organisations in Australia and internationally.
Leadership and Advisory Board
Alan Finkel AC PhD
Patron
Special Adviser to the Australian Government on Low Emissions Technologies. Chair, Australia's Low Emissions Technology Investment Advisory Council. Chair, Stile Education.
Lauren Fell
Project Lead and Outreach Coordinator
PhD from Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Recipient of multiple NASA design challenges and Andy Thomas Space Foundation Research Award.
Brigadier (Ret) Gary Hogan AM, CSC
Director and Industry Advisor
Professor of Business Analytics, University of Newcastle. Former Director-General of Scientific and Technical Analysis, Department of Defence.
Caitlin Byrt
Science Advisor
ARC Future Fellow, Associate Professor, Research School of Biology, Australian National University.
Veena Nair
Education Advisor
Head of Technology, STEAM Project Leader, Viewbank College. 2022 Prime Minister's Prize recipient for Excellence in Science Teaching.
Madhu Thangavelu
Mission Advisor
Conductor, Department of Astronautical Engineering; Lecturer, School of Architecture, University of Southern California.
Professor Martin Bean CBE
Outreach and Education Advisor
Chief Executive Officer, The Bean Centre Pty Ltd. Former Vice-Chancellor of RMIT.
Chris McKay
Lunar Plant Growth Advisor
NASA Ames Research Center. Recipient of the 2019 National Space Grant Distinguished Service Award, 2015 Nevada Medal, and 2012 NASA Presidential Rank Award.
Plant Biology Team
Simon Barak
Advisor, Plant Biology Team
Associate Professor, The Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University.
Tien Huynh
Plant Biologist
Senior Lecturer, School of Science, RMIT University.
Brett Williams
Resurrection Plant Expert
Senior Lecturer (Plant Science), School of Biology and Environmental Science, QUT, Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy.
Anne Visscher
Seed Biologist
Research Fellow, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Expertise in seed dormancy and survival under extreme environmental conditions on Earth and in space.
Engineering Team
Graham Dorrington
Engineering Lead and Founder
Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, RMIT University. Aeronautical engineering.
Glenn Matthews
Technical Co-Lead
Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, RMIT University.
Samuel Ippolito
Technical Co-Lead
Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, RMIT University.
Gary Rosengarten
Engineer
Professor, Research and Innovation Capability, RMIT University. ECP Director, Sustainable Technologies and Systems.
Raj Das
Engineer
Professor of Aerospace Structures; Theme Leader, Simulation and Modelling, Centre for Additive Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering and Aviation, RMIT.
Chris Harrison
Embedded Systems Engineer
Research Fellow, School of Engineering, RMIT University.
Arthur Georgalas
Industrial Designer
Educator, RMIT University.
Quentin Michalski
Thermal Modelling and Qualification Engineer
Research Fellow, School of Engineering, RMIT University.
Students, Interns and Volunteers
Makushla Harper
Student
Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours), RMIT University.
Keagan Howell
Student
Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours), RMIT University.
Maximillian O'Brien
Student
Industrial Design Student, RMIT.
Anay Ashwin
Youth Ambassador
Student Intern, Socials and Outreach.
Project Partners
We work with partners across Australia and internationally. Their collective knowledge, experience and expertise make this project possible.
Contact us
We are based in Victoria, Australia, with team members and collaborators around the world. For enquiries, suggestions, media requests, or collaboration opportunities, please get in touch.