Welcoming Idriss Blakey as ANFF-QLD Node Director
The Australian National Fabrication Facility welcomes Idriss Blakey as the new Director of its Queensland Node (ANFF‑QLD), marking a new phase of leadership for a facility that plays a critical role in connecting materials research with advanced fabrication capability and biological outcomes.
Idriss is an Associate Professor at The University of Queensland and a polymer physical chemist with more than two decades of experience in nanofabrication and advanced materials design. His research focuses on understanding how polymer and hybrid materials behave at the nanoscale and how those properties can be tuned for practical use, supported by long‑standing collaborations with partners in the semiconductor industry.
‘I’m honoured to take on the role of Director of the Queensland node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility,” Idriss said. “I look forward to working with our outstanding team and partners to strengthen advanced fabrication capabilities, support research innovation and expand opportunities for collaboration across Queensland and Australia.’
ANFF‑QLD supports researchers and industry partners working across materials and device development. The node has built particular strength at the interface of microfluidics, organic and opto‑electronic technologies, and biomaterials. ANFF-QLD helps users bring these elements together into functioning platforms through fabrication and processing approaches aligned with semiconductor‑industry standards.
As Director, Idriss will coordinate activity across partner institutions and support productive connections among facilities, researchers and industry users. His strategic leadership will help position the node to respond to emerging research and industry needs while remaining closely aligned with the national ANFF network.
ANFF CEO Jane Fitzpatrick welcomed Idriss to the role. ‘Having known Idriss for a long time, I am extremely gratified that he has taken on the role of ANFF‑QLD Node Director,’ she said. ‘I am looking forward to working with him to build on the incredible talents and capabilities of the QLD Node to support Australia’s future.’
His leadership comes at a time of growing demand for fabrication capability that connects fundamental materials research with real‑world device development. With Idriss stepping into the role, ANFF‑QLD is well placed to build on its strengths and continue delivering advanced fabrication capabilities for researchers and industry.
Posted 14 May 2026