Industry partners
Working with industry for a better future
The UNSW School of Chemical Engineering was set up with the industry in mind. Since we opened our doors over 60 years ago, we've had strong, close links with industry. These links have been mutually beneficial – we're able to partner with industry to better understand their needs now and in the future. We're also able to consult to industry on many levels from providing advice to embarking on co-operative research projects.
The Chemical Engineering School Profile provides a snapshot of our work developing sustainable chemical solutions in the energy, resources, water, food and health sectors.
We can now stand tall and confident because we know that graduates from UNSW Australia in the fields of chemical engineering, industrial chemistry and food science and technology leave us with the training and knowledge to set them aside from the rest. Many of them have gone on to hold very senior positions in industries both at home and around the globe.
Actively involved in co-op scholarships
The school has been an active partner in the UNSW Co-op Scholarship Program for many years. In fact, chemical engineering and industrial chemistry students make up the largest group of recipients outside of the Business School. We are proud to say that many of these alumni have now reached senior management and continue to thrive in this competitive industry.
Real-World research & teaching
Because of our close connection to industry partners, our research and teaching are intimately connected to the real world. Our UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science, for example, has been historically linked to a highly successful company located in NSW, now part of Siemens Water Systems.
In addition, we have strong links with Bluescope Steel, Sydney Water, Veolia and many other companies through sponsored projects, consulting and graduate recruitment. We have helped many companies develop new and better methods of working through new catalysts, batteries, paints and pharmaceuticals. We have been highly active partners in the CRC system, leading to new membranes, photochromic dyes and power cables.
Be part of the future of the industry
We already have an enviable history of collaboration with industry, but we don’t want to stop now. We are constantly on the lookout for new avenues and opportunities to be involved in industry projects, and we’d love to hear from you.
Let’s take the industry into the future together. Email us today or call us on +61 2 9385 4319.
Alumni & industry
Our Industry Advisory Board
Our Industry Advisory Board (IAB) meets twice a year and includes 9 committee members from prominent employer groups and diverse professional fields.
The primary function of the IAB is to provide expert advice to the School on how industry perspectives can shape our undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as influence our research agendas. The board plays a critical role in bridging the gap between academic developments and industry needs, ensuring that our educational and research initiatives are both relevant and forward-thinking.
In addition to their advisory role, the IAB members are tasked with identifying and bringing forward specific issues of importance to the industry that may benefit from academic investigation or intervention. They submit these topics along with their insights and recommendations, helping to guide the School's research focus towards practical and impactful outcomes. This proactive approach not only enhances the relevance of our programs but also fosters a productive dialogue between academia and industry.
Daniel Mullette (Chair of the Industry Advisory Board)
Director - Research & Development at Harvest B, Sydney Australia
Qualifications and Memberships:
Bachelor of Industrial Chemistry - University of New South Wales
Areas of Expertise:
- Strategic Leadership
- Technical Project Leadership
- Innovation
- Product Development
Biography:
Daniel Mullette has 25 years’ experience in commercial Research and Development and currently serves as the Director of Research and Technology Development at Australian startup Harvest B.
Joining the company in 2023, Daniel leads the research program focusing on protein research for cereal & pulse proteins as a complement to animal proteins in an evolving food system. This strategic approach addresses the increasing importance of nutrition and sustainability alongside cost and taste considerations.
Prior to his role at Harvest B, Daniel held the position of Head of Research and Development for The Arnott’s Group. In this capacity, he was accountable for driving technology, innovation, and supply chain support by establishing culinary, product, process, packaging, regulatory, and nutrition teams. Daniel spearheaded successful research initiatives across various categories at Arnott’s, delivering short and long-term capability roadmaps for Savoury, Chocolate, and Better for You segments.
Before his tenure at Arnott’s, Daniel spent eight years at Unilever in diverse product commercialization roles. His responsibilities ranged from process engineering to technical project leadership and management, supporting product development, factory scale-up, and marketing activation across Hair, Skin & Deodorant categories in Unilever Australasia.
Before Unilever, Daniel spent six years at Memcor Australia (now Evoqua Water Technologies) as a development chemist. There, he conducted research on membrane materials, manufacturing processes, and post-treatment techniques, leading to the filing of seven patents covering three new materials and four processes.
Shannon Ballard
Chief Process Engineer BlueScope Steel – Australian Steel Products
Qualifications and Memberships:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) – University of New South Wales
- Chief Process Engineer (Engineers Australia)
Areas of Expertise:
- Steel production processes and coating technologies
- Gas and liquid distribution networks
- Combustion systems and equipment
- Thermal energy recovery
- Process safety
- Process Control
- Industrial wastewater treatment
Biography:
Shannon Ballard has over 30 years’ experience the chemical engineering industry, currently holding the position of Chief Product Engineer at BlueScope Steel. Throughout his career he has held number of pivotal roles such as, Senior Process Engineer for BlueScope Steel, Principal Process Engineer (consultant), Engineering Manager at Ovivo Water and Process Engineer for BHP Steel. Shannon has specialised in a broad range of areas including steel production, steel coating, water treatment, gas distribution process design and specification, Project FEED, contract management, equipment evaluation, root cause analysis, operational support and training.
Anthony Canfell
Chief Advisor Processing & Technology at Rio Tinto
Qualifications and Memberships:
- Bachelor of Chemical Engineering – University of New South Wales
- Doctor of Philosophy - University of Queensland
- Fellow, Chartered Engineer & Executive Engineer of Engineers Australia (FIEAust CPEng ExecEng)
- Fellow & Chartered Professional of AusIMM (FAusIMM(CP)
- Registered Professional Engineer Qld with BPEQ (RPEQ)
Areas of Expertise:
- Technical Leadership & Strategic Leadership
- Bayer (alumina) processing
- Processing plant decarbonisation
- Hydrometallurgy
Biography:
Anthony has over 25 years of professional experience as a Chemical Engineer in technical & leadership roles in mining processing primarily with bauxite, alumina, magnesium, and copper. His early career roles were focussed on developing new biohydrometallurgy and magnesium process technology.
He later joined Rio Tinto where he has worked over the last 20 years in operations, engineering design, technical consultancy, and management roles. The technical teams that he has led include plant process engineers, processing subject matter experts and a hydrometallurgy processing R&D laboratory.
Anthony currently leads a global team of processing professionals that implement processing productivity improvement tools across Rio Tinto, assist the rollout of global processing systems and perform internal technical reviews. He is an internationally recognised expert in alumina and has represented Rio Tinto on numerous industry advisory boards including the Alumina Quality Workshop (Chair 2016-19) Inc., the Australian Aluminium Council (AAC) Bauxite & Alumina Panel, the Alumina Technical Panel (ATP) and the Heavy-Industry Low-Carbon Transition (HILT) CRC.
Anthony is passionate about support and development of the next generation of chemical engineers by strategically collaborating across university and industry bodies, working on internal processing capability, and actively mentoring early/mid-career engineers.
Coral Colyer
Senior Director Emerging Capabilities within the Global Technical, Innovation and Supply Chain Capabilities team at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, USA
Qualifications and Memberships:
- Bachelor of Food Science & Technology - University of New South Wales
- Master of Nutrition & Dietetics - University of Sydney
- Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration - Macquarie Graduate School of Management
- Graduate Certificate in International Food Law - Michigan State University, USA
- Member of the Australian Institute of Food Science
- Member of Technology and the Dietitians Australia
Areas of Expertise:
- Technical and Strategic leadership
- People Development
- Global Innovation
- Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science
- Food Law
Biography:
Coral Colyer is a distinguished senior regulatory professional with nearly three decades of experience in the food and beverage industry and public health sector. Coral's current role as Senior Director Emerging Capabilities within the Global Technical, Innovation and Supply Chain Capabilities team at The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, USA, showcases her extensive expertise and leadership skills.
Throughout her career, Coral has demonstrated an in-depth understanding of nutrition, dietetics, food science, leadership, the food regulations impacting Australia, New Zealand, and the ASEAN region as well as globally with Codex.
Her experience encompasses both private and public sectors, having worked with Goodman Fielder and Coca-Cola to lead the scientific regulatory affairs agenda, as well as the National Heart Foundation of Australia to improve the food supply within retail and foodservice. Coral is also a respected member of professional organisations such as the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Dietitians Australia and recently retired as a member of the Australian Food & Grocery Council's Nutrition & Regulatory Affairs Committee, a position she held for just under ten years.
Coral's dedication to people development is evident in her current role, where she focuses on cultivating talent and fostering a culture of growth. She plays an instrumental role in developing the capabilities strategy for emerging markets, ensuring that the necessary knowledge, skills, and mindsets are built and delivered sustainably. Coral's passion for her work and her commitment to excellence make her a valuable asset to the food industry.
Fiona Fleming
CEO, Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology; FAIFST; Principal, FJ Fleming Food Consulting
Qualifications and Memberships:
- Masters in Nutrition and Management, Food and Nutrition – University of Wollongong
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Food Technology) – Queensland Agricultural College
Areas of Expertise:
- Communication and Corporate Affairs
- Food Policy and Regulation
- Product Recall and Crisis Management
- Issues Management
- Food Safety and Quality
- Allergen Management and Labelling
Biography:
Fiona Fleming is an experienced Corporate and Regulatory Affairs professional with a proven ability to work in a fast paced, challenging environment. A track record of proactively leading and facilitating change and developing management strategies across a portfolio of food policy and regulation; food safety and quality systems; issues and crisis management; government and media relations and corporate social responsibility within global multi-national FMCG and NGO environments.
Fiona is a committed, responsible and trustworthy leader with high standards and a passion for making a difference; protecting and building a company’s reputation and building effective partnerships with key stakeholders.
Thomas Gao
Business Development Manager, Powerfuels including Hydrogen Network
NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub
Qualifications and Memberships:
- Master's degree in Sustainable Energy from the University of Queensland
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New South Wales with First Class Honors
- Diploma in Leadership and Management with AIM
Areas of Expertise:
- Policy
- Renewable and Clean Energy
- Innovation and Grants/Project Management
- Business Development
Biography:
Thomas Gao is a dynamic professional currently serving as the Manager of Policy and Strategic Programs at the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Office. He has undertaken a secondment role as the Business Development Manager at the NSW Powerfuel Including Hydrogen Network within NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub. With a rich and diverse background, Thomas is a chemical engineer, a certified RegPM project manager, and a seasoned policy expert with a decade of experience spanning industry, government, and research, all centered around the clean economy and cutting-edge technology.
Thomas has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of state clean economy policy and initiatives. His leadership has been instrumental in the development of a range of groundbreaking programs, including the NSW Power-to-X initiatives, the Decarbonisation Innovation Program, the NSW 20-Year R&D Roadmap and Program, the NSW Small Business Innovation Program, and the Coal Innovation R&D Program.
Thomas Gao's passion, expertise, and remarkable track record make him a driving force in the realm of clean economy and technology, positioning him as a key player in shaping a sustainable future.
Kylie Lim
Project Manager - Beca
Qualifications and Memberships:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) - University of New South Wales
- Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) in Chemical Engineering, Project Management and Leadership & Management.
- Office Bearer for Engineer’s Australia Queensland and Joint Chemical Engineering Committee (JCEC)
- Member of Queensland Women in Engineering
Areas of Expertise:
- Hygienic Food & Beverage processing equipment
- Design Management
- Contracts Management
- Project Management
Biography:
Kylie Lim is a Project Manager with process engineering background that has been built upon by managing a variety of Food & Beverage projects across sites in Australia.
Her main area of expertise ranges from early business case stages through to project execution and handover. Kylie has experience in multidisciplinary design management, coordinating and managing onsite installation and commissioning works in the Food & Beverage sectors. Kylie is an advocate for STEM and diversity in engineering. Kylie is an Office Bearer for Engineer’s Australia Queensland Joint Chemical Engineering Committee (JCEC) and Queensland Women in Engineering.
Kylie was a Year in Industry student at ANSTO Minerals, where she worked on rare earth extraction pilot plant projects. She managed a couple of rare earth (light and heavy) projects, where she procured, fabricated, installed, tested and commissioned, operated and decommissioned the systems. This experience cemented her interest in engineering consulting, deliver projects from the start to end, and having the variety of projects.
During her time at ME Engineering, Kylie worked as a process/project engineer. She was completing hygienic process design, mostly on dairy and beverage projects while onsite. These projects evolved into project management.
Kylie currently holds the position of Project Manager at Beca, which sits within the Industrial Food and Life Sciences business line. She is currently working on a large greenfield beverage manufacturing site in Queensland, involving all aspects of project management, including feasibility, equipment design and contract management throughout the construction phase.
Terry Petkovic
Research and Development Manager at Era Polymers
Qualifications and Memberships:
- Bachelor of Science (Industrial Chemistry) - University of New South Wales
- Masters of Business Administration (MBA) - AGSM (University of New South Wales and University of Sydney)
Areas of Expertise:
- Research and Development
- Polyurethane elastomers
- Quality Control
- Compliance
Biography:
Terry Petkovic has over 30 years of experience in research and development operations across multiple sites, including Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and USA. This includes ensuring Research Labs and Quality Control (QC) labs are equipped with skilled professionals and laboratory equipment to uphold the highest standards of excellence. Customer demands and emerging technologies shape their research activities across multiple industries to develop new products.
Ian Phillipps
Director, General Manager – Photon Energy Group
Qualifications and Memberships:
- Bachelor of Engineering - Chemical Engineering (Hons), University of New South Wales
- Board Member: Balmoral Beach Club
- Qualified Cave Diver, Cave Diving Association of Australia
Areas of Expertise:
- Renewable energy
- Remediation
- Hazardous liquid waste management solutions
- Specialty Chemicals, water and wastewater treatment
- General Operations and Supply Chain management
- Joint Venture operations (Japan)
- Technical Sales leadership
Biography:
Ian Phillipps has over 25 years of experience in management, sales and operations leadership roles. He has achieved results across both Australia and Asia in technical sales and sales management, supply chain operations, joint ventures, manufacturing, and multi-division business operations. He has worked in industries including mining, energy, manufacturing, food & beverage, industrial, paper and resource management. Primarily with respect to water, wastewater, and liquid waste management. Ian also has experience in the renewable energy sector, and groundwater remediation.
Having held roles in geographically diverse locations, he has an appreciation for working within matrix businesses and functional structures and has led organizational restructures in Asia and Australia.