Our staff
Director
Professor Filip Braet
Professor Filip Braet is Director of the Sydney Microscopy & Microanalysis core research facility. His direct research interests cover the areas of structural biology, cancer biology, vascular biology, chemical biology and nanobiotechnology.
Deputy Director
Dr David Martinez Martin
David is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering. He is a physicist and his research focuses on indentifying the principles governing how cells regulate their own mass and growth. David brings his expertise in nanotechnology, scanning probe and fluorescence microscopies to his role as academic Deputy Director of Sydney Microscopy & Microanalysis.
Platform Scientists
Eleanor Kable
Facility Manager
Contact
eleanor.kable@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9351 7566
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Qualifications
M.Sc. University of Queensland, Dept. Biochemistry, (Part time 1984-1987). Thesis title: "Redox Agents and Glutathione Metabolism in Human Melanoma." Masters Qualifying, (Honours equivalent), University of Queensland, Dept. Biochemistry, 1982. B.Sc., Griffith University, School of Science, 1979-1981. Double Major in Biological Chemistry and Biology.
Background
During her career Ellie has engaged in cross-disciplinary research in biological and physical sciences. Initially she engaged in medical research projects which included Vitamin B12 metablolism and a research masters thesis on cancer chemotherapy of melanomas. She worked for 3 years in a biophysics laboratory at Cornell University (USA) in a technical capacity. Here Ellie gained early confocal microscopy knowledge. She did a short stint in London studying cytomeglovirus using confocal microscopy and on coming back to Australia returned to medical research studying the role of calcium in hypertension using live cell microscopy techniques.
Role
Ellie manages SMM’s labs and technical staff to successfully deliver research services in microscopy and microanalysis to our users. She also provides strategic support to the Director, particularly on matters of integration of laboratory activities at Sydney with those at other Microscopy Australia nodes.
Dr Matthew Foley
Deputy Facility Manager, Analysis & X-Ray Microscopy Manager
Contact
matthew.foley@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9351 7565
ORCiD
Qualifications
PhD, 2011, UTS
BSc Hons. (Nanotechnology), 2007, UTS
Background
Matt conducted his research at the Microstructural Analysis unit at the University of Technology, Sydney, primarily focussing on characterisation of the electrical, optical and structural properties of zinc oxide powders, crystals and nanowires.
Role
Matt offers instruction, training & support to users working with Micro-Computed Tomography, as well as supporting advanced image analysis opportunities across the different techniques available to researchers.
Dr Vijay Bhatia, Deputy Facility Manager,
SEM Manager
Contact
vijay.bhatia@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9036 7633
LinkedIn
Qualifications
B.Sc Nanotechnology Hons (UTS) 2008
Doctor of Philosophy, Science (UTS) 2013
Background
Vijay completed his PhD focusing on metallurgy and nano coatings in 2013. This work relied heavily on SEM and he found a passion for the technique. After graduating he spent a few years at Thermofisher Scientific as a Product Specialist, working with industries around Australia to improve processes and workflows. Returning to the academic world at the University of Sydney as a Post Doctoral Researcher, his work involved the development and analysis of new wear resistant alloys for the mining industry. This led him to joining the SMM team in the SEM section.
Role
Vijay manages the SEM and FIB facilities at SMM, providing training and support to users to push the applications of these tools to improve research outcomes.
Asha Indiradevi
SEM Specialist
Contact
ashalatha.indira@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 8627 5145
Qualifications
M.Sc, 2006, Microelectronics, NTU Singapore
B.Tech Electronics & Communication Engineering, 2004, CUSAT India
Background
2006-2015: Failure Analysis Engineer, STMicroelectronics Singapore.
- Physical failure analysis and characterization by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy(EDS), Focused ion Beam Techniques (FIB), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Optical Microscopy.
- Electrical characterization & Electrical semiconductor failure analysis using various techniques such as Emission Microscopy (EMMI), Optical Beam Induced Resistance Change (OBIRCH), Seebeck Effect Imaging (SEI) and Passive Voltage Contrast (PVC).
Role
Asha provdes technical support at SMM's Madsen facility in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Focused Ion Beam techniques (FIB).
Dr Magnus Garbrecht
TEM Manager
Contact
magnus.garbrecht@sydney.edu.au
Office: + 61 2 8627 7163
Lab: + 61 2 8627 7236
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Qualifications
Docent in Materials Science, 2015, Linköping University, Technical Faculty, Sweden.
PhD (Dr. rer. nat) in Materials Science, 2009, Technical Faculty, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Germany.
Diploma in Physics, 2005, Institute for Experimental and Applied Physics, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Germany.
Background
Specialises in aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and spectroscopy techniques in the field of materials science.
Role
Magnus manages and operates the double-corrected and monochromated FEI Themis-Z laboratory at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub and is responsible for coordinating and undertaking training of users for that purpose.
Dr Hongwei Liu
TEM Specialist
Contact
hongwei.liu@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9351 4069
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Qualifications
PhD, 2003, South China University of Technology (SCUT)
Background
Visiting Fellow (2010.10-2011.4), Sydney University, Australia
Research Fellow (2010.5-2011.4), Griffith University, Australia
Visiting Fellow (2006.9-2007.8; 2009.5-2013.4), Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Prof, Materials Science and engineering, Guangxi University, China
Postdoc (2003.9-2005.11), Nanjing University, China
Role
Dr Liu supports and trains users of Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). He provides researchers with assistance in the development and application of TEM based techniques to help them achieve quality outcomes from their experiments. Hongwei also designs and delivers training courses in TEM and develops novel solutions for TEM users at all stages of their experiments.
Dr Jiangtao Qu
TEM Senior Technical Officer
Contact
jiangtao.qu@sydney.edu.au
Role
Jiangtao provides internal and external users of SMM's TEM capabilities with microsocpy characterisation solutions to help them achieve their research goals and assists with data analysis.
Dr Pamela Young
Light & Optical Microscopy Manager
Contact
pamela.young@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9351 7527
LinkedIn
Qualifications
PhD (Medical Biophysics and Program in Biomolecular Imaging), 2010, Indiana University
B.Sc Hons. (Physics), 2003, Indiana University
B.Sc (Mathematics), 2003, Indiana University
Background
- Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation, University of Wisconsin,
Postdoctoral Fellow, Co-Mentors Kevin Eliceiri and Patricia Keely, 2010-2013 - Indiana Center for Biological Microscopy, Indiana University School of Medicine, Ph.D., 2004-2010
- Polymer Technology Systems, Inc., Scientist/Quality Control, 2003-2004
- Indiana University Cyclotron Facility, Laboratory Assistant, 2002-2003
- WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology, Undergraduate Assistant, 2002-2003
- Indiana University Mathematics Department, Undergraduate Intern, 2001-2003
Role
Dr. Young works with users to design optimal experiments for their research questions using SMM's suite of light and optical microscopes. She also trains and supports users on the light and optical microscopes and assists in the design of training courses and workshops.
Dr Susan (Ying Ying) Su
Light & Optical Specialist
Contact
yingying.su@sydney.edu.au
+61 02 9351 3302
Qualifications
PhD, 2012, University of Sydney
M.App.Sc (Molecular Biotechnology), 2006, University of Sydney
B.Sc (Biochemistry & Biotechnology), 2004, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
Background
Susan joined SMM as a volunteer working with A/Prof. Filip Braet on a project titled “Development of Correlative Fluorescence, SEM and TEM Imaging Methods for Biomolecular Investigation of Colorectal Metastasis”.
Role
Su provides technical support and training for users of the cellular imaging facility located at the Charles Perkins Centre.
Dr Neftali Flores Rodriguez
Light & Optical Specialist
Contact
neftali.floresrodriguez@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 8627 7097
LinkedIn | ResearchGate
Qualifications
PhD (Engineering and Physical Sciences) 2006, University of Manchester, UK
MSc (Environmental Biotechnology) 2002, UMIST, UK
BSc (Chemical Engineering) 1995, BUAP, Mexico
Background
Neftali has over ten years experience in light microscopy and biophysics in the field of cell biology. His main interests are in live cell imaging and super-resolution microscopy.
Role
Neftali specialises in training new users on the imaging systems located at SMM’s cellular imaging facility at the Charles Perkins Centre (CPC). He also assists users with the design, execution and analysis of experiments requiring advance imaging techniques.
Dr Michael Kuligowski
Light and Optical Specialist
Contact
michael.kuligowski@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9114 4194
Qualifications
PhD (Medicine) 2007, Monash University
B. Sci (Hon) 2004, Melbourne University
Background
Michael completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Immunology and Pathology, then completed an honours year in Biochemistry research at the Alfred Hospital. For his PhD he investigated intravital imaging of mouse kidneys, discovering a novel pathway for neutrophils to bind to the endothelium, without the requirement for classic tethering and rolling. Michael then completed a Post-doc at Harvard University in Boston, investigating how vaccine antigens are processed in lymph nodes, using multiphoton intravital microscopy, which resulted in several publications. On returning to Australia, he worked at the Centenary Institute, visualising the immune system role in acute tissue rejection in real time, before joining SMM in 2015.
Role
Michael supports SMM users at Brain and Mind Centre. He assists researchers on best specimen preparation techniques, trains users on the most appropriate microscope for their imaging needs and supports optimisation of image acquisition. Michael also assists with image analysis and preparation for manuscripts, along with routine maintenance of microscopy equipment at our Mallet St facility.
Dr Takanori Sato
Atom Probe Manager
Contact
takanori.sato@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9351 7541
LinkedIn
Qualifications
PhD, 2009, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
B.E. (Hons) Mech, 2003
Background
Takanori was a materials scientist at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, focusing on light alloys research. He conducted lectures on materials and metallurgical engineering, and specialized in electron microscope user training and servicing (TEM, SEM, EBSD). He is also a mechanical engineer, and has worked for Fuji Heavy Industries Japan, as a finite element analysis and design engineer.
Role
Takanori offers technical support for our atom probe capabilities.
Dr Errin Johnson
Bio Electron Microscopy Manager
Contact
errin.johnson@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9351 9826
Qualifications
PhD, Plant Cell & Molecular Biology, 2006, University of Sydney
BSc (Hons I), 2002, University of Sydney
Background
Errin is an expert biological electron microscopist, with over 20 years experience in the field. Her background includes post-doctoral research in plant and cell biology at the Umeå Plant Science Centre in Sweden and several years as a microscopist with Sydney Microscopy & Microanalysis (SMM) at the University of Sydney. Errin then managed the Dunn School EM Facility at the University of Oxford from 2012 to 2024. During that time Errin significantly upgraded the EM Facility and expanded its capabilities in biological EM sample preparation, microanalysis, volume EM, cryo-EM and correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM). Errin collaborated on a diverse range of research projects from across Oxford, spanning the areas of biophysics, virology, structural biology, bioengineering, microbiology, cell biology, biomedicine, plant biology and more. She returned to SMM in 2024 as the new Bio EM Manager to help life sciences researchers apply EM to their research.
Role
Errin manages the Biological EM section, which covers the biological sample preparation laboratory, cryo-EM, bio TEM & SEM, volume EM biological microanalysis and CLEM. She provides expert advice, training and support to life sciences researchers across all aspects of bio EM and strives to ensure that these exciting techniques are accessible everyone.
Dr Bhanu Mantri
Bio Cryo Electron Microscopist
Contact
bhanu.mantri@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9351 9333
LinkedIn I ORCiD
Qualifications
PhD, structural and molecular biology, 2023
University of Wollongong, Australia
MSc. + M.Tech., Nanoscience by Research & Nanotechnology, 2015
Amity University, India
BSc Biotechnology, 2012, Jodhpur National University, India
Background
Bhanu has eight years experience in TEM, of which four years are in cryo-TEM. As a PhD student he focussed on understanding the molecular mechanism of single-strand annealing homologous DNA recombination in viruses by cryo EM. He also optimised the contrasting technique called shadow-casting for EM analysis of the biological macromolecules and their complexes. He has experience working with various biological samples, such as viral recombination proteins and various tissues such as kidney, liver, skin and nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation.
Role
Bhanu manages the cryo TEM microscopes at the facility, including cryo transfer and specimen preparation. He provides technical support to researchers, with a focus on assisting with biological microscopy and microanalysis.
Dr Huma Bilal
Materials Specimen Preparation Microscopist
Contact
huma.bilal@sydney.edu.au
smm.matprep@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 8627 6683
Qualifications
PhD, 2022, University of Sydney, Australia
M.Sc, 2014, University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, Pakistan
B.E, (Mech Eng) 2009, University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, Pakistan
Background
Since completing her B.E (Mech Eng), Huma has worked as a lab engineer and lecturer for 9 years in engineering departments at UET Lahore, Pakistan and the University of Sharjah, UAE. She completed her Ph.D at the University of Sydney (AMME) in 2021 which focussed on the microstructure characterisation of bulk metallic glasses. Her interest in SEM and FIB began as a result of the need to use these microscopy capabilites to prepare samples during her PhD.
Role
Huma is responsible for the materials specimen preparation laboratory at SMM. She also provides support and training to users preparing samples for investigation via a wide range of microscopy techniques.
Matthew Hadden
Bio-Atomic Force Microscopy Specialist
Contact
matthew.hadden@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9351 9607
Qualifications
PhD (thesis submitted), Biomedical Engineering, 2023, University of Sydney
BEng (Biomed)(Hons) / BMedSc, 2018, University of Sydney
BDes (Arch), 2012, University of Newcastle
Background
Matt completed a combined Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) and Medical Science majoring in immunology and virology. He was awared first-class honours in biomedical engineering for his project on cancer mechanobiology. His PhD investigated the role mechanical forces play in cancer progession, characterising nanomechanical properties of fresh human tissue using BioAFM. Matt has worked in the field of biomedical engineering as a researcher and casual academic and has experience working with various biological samples, soft biopolymers and advanced engineering analytical tools.
Role
Matt offers technical support and training to researchers working with BioAFm instruments at our facility, with a focus on assisting in biological specimen preparation and microanalysis.
Dr Hanyu Li
SEM Specialist
Contact
hanyu.li@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9351 9727
Qualifications
PhD (Engineering), 2023, University of Sydney
MPE (Mechanical Engineering), 2019, University of Sydney
MSc (Marine Science), 2015, University of Sydney
Background
Hanyu's PhD focussed on examination of hydrogen embrittlement in pipeline steels at a microscale level. His project relied on a comprehensive range of electron microscopies including SEM, EDS, EBSD, FIB, In-situ straining, HRTEM and STEM.
Role
Hanyu offers training and technical support with SEM and FIB instruments at our Madsen (F09) facility.
Mahesh James
Microscopy Engineer
Contact
mahesh.thaliath@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 8627 0034
Role
Mahesh is responsible for servicing and maintenance of SMM’s fleet of advanced microscopy equipment.
Microscopy Australia Staff
Dr Leigh Stephenson
Atom Probe Engineer
Contact
leigh.stephenson@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9036 5180
Qualifications
PhD (Microscopy & Microanalysis), 2009, Sydney University
BSc (Advanced Mathematics) + Honours (Quantum Computation), 2003, Macquarie University
Background
Since mid-2005, Leigh has focused on the quantitative use of commercial atom probe technologies applied to a wide variety of materials science projects. From 2017-2022, he worked at the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH in Düsseldorf, Germany, developing and managing a new instrumentation suite for novel APT experimental protocols for environmentally sensitive samples like hydrogen-charged steels, titanium and zirconium alloys, freshly reduced iron ore and soft materials like proteins and aqueous samples.
Role
Leigh offers technical support and training for atom probe experiments involving unconventional specimen preparation of environmentally sensitive samples, assisting in the establishment of new protocols. He also advises users on the use of established data reconstruction and analysis software.
André Venne
Data Management Specialist (Physical Sciences)
Contact
andre.venne@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 9036 4665
Qualifications
B.Sc (Physics), 2012, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada
M. Sc. A., 2021, Université de Montreal, Canada
Background
André previously did research at the Institut Quantique at the Université de Sherbrooke on high-temperature superconductors. He has worked for the astronomy software department at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, helping develop a pipeline for their spectropolarimeter. He has also worked as a computer engineer for the Electronics Research Group of the University of Aberdeen, researching Internet protocols. André has completed a master's degree, focused on optimal estimation and parameter identification of highly rotational gymnastic movements using dynamic optimisation.
Role
André provides expert support to SMM's research community, specialising in data management and interpretation for physical sciences.
Dr Felix Theska
Atom Probe Scientist
Contact
felix.theska@sydney.edu.au
LinkedIn, ResearchGate, GoogleScholar
Qualifications
PhD, 2019 UNSW, Australia
MSc, 2015, TU Ilmenau, Germany
BSc, 2013 TU Ilmenau, Germany
Background
Felix has a background in materials science and focuses on advanced characterisation techniques. This includes electron microscopy, site-specific focused ion beam preparation methods and atom probe microscopy. He has worked on the characterisation of grain boundary segregation and precipitation in No-based superalloys as well as the interface characterisation in steels, AI-alloys and functional materials.
Role
Felix provides technical support for atom probe sample preparation using (plasma) focused ion beam and electrolytic techniques, instrument operation and data analysis.
Dr Natalie Holmes
Senior Research Fellow - Atom Probe Scientist
Contact
natalie.holmes@sydney.edu.au
Role
Natalie has a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Newcastle and is an Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) scholar. She is an expert in studying structure-function relationships in advanced materials for electronics, biosensors and medicine. Natalie specialises in cryo-atom probe tomography of biological tissue and soft organic materials.