Researchers

Professor Aleks Nikoloski is a leading extractive metallurgist and academic with a demonstrated history of contributing to new technology development for the production of critical metals from ores and recyclable materials. His activities are closely associated with the mineral resources industry and government bodies concerned with the higher education of students in metals production technology and applied science.

Professor Pritam Singh brings more than four decades of experience in research and development across metallurgical engineering, resource recovery and applied electrochemistry. His research has focused on the recycling of mining waste, recovery of critical metals for sustainable technologies, and the development of flow battery systems. He previously served as Head of the Chemistry Department at Murdoch University.

Dr Angus McFarlane is a principal in future tailings studies in Rio Tinto. He is a geoscientist with technical specialties in flocculation and dewatering science, also process mineralogy. He has a keen interest in research which enhances sustainable exploitation of mineral resources.

Dr Christopher Ward is a strategic metallurgy manager at IGO Limited. He is a minerals industry professional with extensive production, research, technology and marketing experience in the minerals industry. He is experienced in a wide range of commodities and battery/energy systems.

Dr Don Ibana is a former chair of the WASM Department of Metallurgical and Minerals Engineering at Curtin University. His work includes studies on solvent extraction, recovery of indium from LCD screens, and recently on the segregation process applied to Western Australian nickel laterites.

With over three decades of combined experience in academia and industry, Dr. Touma B. Issa, MRACI CChem, specialises in electrometallurgy, electrowinning, battery electrochemistry and advanced electrochemical processes. His research portfolio encompasses a wide array of topics, including flow battery chemistry optimisation, molten salt electrolysis, electrowinning, electrodialysis, surface-modified electrodes, analytical chemistry related to atmospheric pollution, adsorption studies, wastewater purification, and groundwater remediation.

Dr Rorie Gilligan is a senior research metallurgist, and his main research topics relate to the development of improved processes for the extraction of lithium, vanadium, and other critical metals essential for the transition away from fossil fuels as energy sources. He is also interested in process mineralogy, understanding how variations in mineralogy influence the behaviour of ores in metallurgical processes, and how that knowledge can be applied to developing better and more efficient metallurgical processes.

Dr. Onias Sitando did his PhD in thiosulfate gold ore leaching and is a metallurgist with keen interests in gold, battery minerals (lithium, nickel and cobalt).

Dr. Kuan-Ting Pan is a researcher working in the field of advanced materials and electrochemical technologies with applications in sustainable resource processing and energy systems. His work focuses on the development of functional materials, electrocatalysts and metal recovery processes for critical minerals and environmental applications. He is particularly interested in developing scalable technologies for metal recovery, circular economy materials and electrochemical processes for sustainable industry.

Dr. Shane Wilson has over 10 years of experience in metallurgical testing and analytical services. Previously a Senior Chemist in a leading metallurgical laboratory, he is responsible for overseeing the analytical services in the Hub.

Allan Ang has been involved in various hydrometallurgical projects from bench-scale to pilot-scale. He is highly experienced in the ion exchange separation and solution purification processes. Over the years, he has developed deep insights and expertise in the use of membrane-based electrolysis for green and sustainable production of lithium precursor chemical.

Gideon Gbedemah is a highly motivated chemical and metallurgical engineer with a strong foundation in extractive metallurgy and energy storage. He is passionate about developing sustainable solutions and driving efficiency in metallurgical operations, while applying innovative engineering principles to complex challenges.

Georgina Thompson's research focuses on improving electrolyte production technology for vanadium redox flow batteries.

Using electrochemical techniques, Joseph Nsiah investigates the conversion of lithium-rich liquors into lithium hydroxide, a critical precursor for battery manufacturing.

Kate Mutch is a researcher focused on the recovery of critical minerals from mineral sands processing and titanium dioxide pigment residues. Her work explores sustainable hydrometallurgical approaches to recover valuable metals from industrial waste streams, supporting resource circularity and reducing the environmental footprint of mining and mineral processing.

Corey Pegrum is a fourth-year Chemical Engineering (Honours) student at The University of Western Australia and a Research Assistant at the Murdoch University Extractive Metallurgy Hub. His research investigates the hydrometallurgical recovery of vanadium from salt-roasted vanadium titanomagnetite to support more efficient processing of critical minerals.