Meet our team
Our project is driven by a dynamic and diverse team of experts, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to the table. Our interdisciplinary approach is the cornerstone of our success, combining knowledge and experience from various fields to tackle the complex challenges of space exploration and sustainability.
Our team includes specialists in aerospace engineering, botany, environmental science, data analysis, and more, across a range of our partner organisations. Together, we are working at the intersection of these disciplines to develop innovative solutions that push the boundaries of what's possible both in space and here on Earth.
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
Associate Lecturer and PhD Candidate, 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 (ANU).
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; Author, “The Moon”.
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, the 2015 Nevada Medal, and 2012 NASA Presidential Rank Award.
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 understanding (global) diversity of seed traits involved in dormancy and survival of (extreme) environmental conditions (both natural and ex situ) on Earth and in space.
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 & Modelling, Centre for Additive Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering and Aviation.
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
