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
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
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.
Gary Hogan
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
Caitlin Byrt
Science Advisor
ARC Future Fellow, Associate Professor, Research School of Biology, Australian National University.
Veena Nair
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
Madhu Thangavelu
Mission Advisor
Conductor, Department of Astronautical Engineering; Lecturer, School of Architecture, University of Southern California.
Martin Bean
Professor Martin Bean CBE
Outreach and Education Advisor
Chief Executive Officer, The Bean Centre Pty Ltd. Former Vice-Chancellor of RMIT.
Chris McKay
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
Simon Barak
Advisor, Plant Biology Team
Associate Professor, The Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University.
Tien Huynh
Tien Huynh
Plant Biologist
Senior Lecturer, School of Science, RMIT University.
Brett Williams
Brett Williams
Resurrection Plant Expert
Senior Lecturer (Plant Science), School of Biology and Environmental Science, QUT, Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy.
Anne Visscher
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
Graham Dorrington
Engineering Lead and Founder
Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, RMIT University. Aeronautical engineering.
Glenn Matthews
Glenn Matthews
Technical Co-Lead
Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, RMIT University.
Samuel Ippolito
Samuel Ippolito
Technical Co-Lead
Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, RMIT University.
Gary Rosengarten
Gary Rosengarten
Engineer
Professor, Research and Innovation Capability, RMIT University. ECP Director, Sustainable Technologies and Systems.
Raj Das
Raj Das
Engineer
Professor of Aerospace Structures; Theme Leader, Simulation and Modelling, Centre for Additive Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering and Aviation, RMIT.
Chris Harrison
Chris Harrison
Embedded Systems Engineer
Research Fellow, School of Engineering, RMIT University.
Arthur Georgalas
Arthur Georgalas
Industrial Designer
Educator, RMIT University.
Quentin Michalski
Quentin Michalski
Thermal Modelling and Qualification Engineer
Research Fellow, School of Engineering, RMIT University.

Students, Interns and Volunteers

Makushla Harper
Makushla Harper
Student
Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours), RMIT University.
Keagan Howell
Keagan Howell
Student
Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours), RMIT University.
Maximillian O'Brien
Maximillian O'Brien
Student
Industrial Design Student, RMIT.
Anay Ashwin
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.