Honouring legacy and Welcoming new faces at ANFF-QLD
After 17 years of service to the Queensland Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF-QLD), Prof. Justin Cooper-White stepped aside as Node Director at the end of 2024.
As one of ANFF’s founding Node directors, Justin was integral to establishing, maintaining and building the ANFF-QLD capabilities and expertise. His strategic leadership has seen the Node grow from its initial beginnings at UQ to incorporate Griffith University, attract funding from the State Government to amplify institutional and federal support, and expand with new tools and focus areas.
‘The success of ANFF is founded on the energy and vision of people like Justin, who came together almost 20 years ago to make things better for our research sector as a whole. On behalf of the researchers, start-ups and companies who have benefitted enormously from what Justin has driven in Queensland, I want to thank him for working tirelessly to make ANFF and ANFF-QLD the successes they are today,’ remarked ANFF CEO Jane Fitzpatrick.
Justin will continue in his substantial leadership role of University of Queensland’s (UQ) Head of School of Chemical Engineering, alongside his research interests. While ANFF will miss Justin in the role of Node Director, we know that he will continue to be an active and valued member of the ANFF tribe.
While a new director is being recruited, ANFF welcomes Associate Professor Idriss Blakey as ANFF-QLD’s interim Node Director. Idriss has long been affiliated with ANFF, initially being part of the committee involved in establishing the breadth of the capability, and then as a long-time user and contributor to strategy around future directions of the facility.
A group leader at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN). Idriss is a polymer physical chemist with over 20 years of experience in lithography and nanotechnology applications.
Also within the ANFF-QLD Node, we welcome A/Prof Erik Streed as the newly appointed Node Deputy Director at Griffith University, taking over from Prof Sima Dimitrijev. Sima has provided valuable leadership at the GU Hub, and we thank him for all his input and experience.
Erik is based at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus and is the Director of the Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Research Institute (QUATRI). His research focuses on adapting quantum physics techniques to biological challenges, combining ion trapping and advanced microscopy to explore biomolecular dynamics. He also addresses challenges in light transmission for quantum computing using segmented optics inspired by lighthouses.
To complete the changes at ANFF-QLD, we are also saying goodbye to Prof Paul Burn as he retires from UQ. Paul has been the Deputy Director (UQ), and he has contributed significantly to the success of ANFF-QLD. We wish him well as he starts this new chapter in his life.
This Deputy Director role will be taken on by Prof Paul Shaw, whose research interests include fluorescence based chemical sensors, organic and hybrid solar cells and emissive processes in organic semiconductors.
With Idriss, Erik and Paul stepping up to assume these leadership roles, we are confident that ANFF-QLD will continue to thrive and innovate, driving forward the frontiers of fabrication research and technology for years to come.
Posted 16 January 2025
