Our People

Biography

Geoff completed a BSc (hons) and secondary Dip Ed at Monash University in the 1970’s and moved to La Trobe University where he took out a PhD in 1981 in geometric mechanics and Lie groups. He did a postdoc at the Institute for Advanced Study in Dublin. Geoff has taught at RMIT, the University of New England and La Trobe where he was head of department a couple of times from 2000. He worked at AMSI in 2004 through to 2006 in part as executive director to Garth Gaudry and he oversaw the introduction of the AMSI/ICE-EM Access Grid Room project. Geoff has been director at AMSI since September 2009. Geoff’s research interests lie mainly in differential equations and differential geometry and he works with friends in Europe: Mike Crampin, Willy Sarlet, Olga Krupkova and Demeter Krupka. He currently holds an ARC Discovery Grant with Phil Broadbridge at La Trobe. Geoff’s research profile can be seen here

Qualifications: TBA

Position: Executive Officer and Executive Assistant to the Director

Phone: +61 3 8344 1777
Email: kirsten@amsi.org.au

Biography

Coming soon

Biography

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Biography

Kally has worked many years as a biostatistician at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Centre for Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne.

She is an accredited statistician, awarded by the Statistical Society of Australia in 2004. Her qualifications include a Master of Science degree in Statistics, Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours in Statistics and Computer Science. She received the Maurice Belz First Prize for Statistics while she was an undergraduate at the University of Melbourne.

Kally’s specialisation includes survival analysis, generalised linear models and relational database management system. She is experienced in statistical consulting, design of research studies, development of study protocol, statistical analyses of research data, design of database and protocol review for Research and Ethics Committees. She has been a co-author in more than 30 research publications, 14 of which as a senior author. She also has experience as an assessor for grant applications, as an instructor in statistics training courses and as a supervisor for research students.

At AMSI, Kally mainly works as a statistical consultant to the research team at Parks Victoria providing statistical advice on study designs and performing data analysis for Parks Victoria projects. Occasionally she assists in the review of AMSI Industry Internship applications and progress of interns.

Biography

Rod holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and post-graduate accounting qualifications. Formerly with the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne, his career has spanned work in Government, two major accounting firms and a major bank and has included consulting to the tertiary education sector. Rod joined AMSI as Business Manager in October 2011.

Biography

In her role as Advanced Collaborative Environment (ACE) Co-ordinator (previously Access Grid Room), Maaike coordinates AMSI’s ACE activities, which include the National Seminar Series, Honours Courses, Short Courses and advertising of seminars delivered by AMSI’s member universities. Maaike also analyses data collected from the annual survey of the AMSI membership, with results published in the Discipline Profile of the Mathematical Sciences.

Biography

Darla Trejo is the Administrative and Finance Officer for the Choose Maths project.  She provides administrative support, coordinates national events and is responsible for the financial management and reporting of the project.  Prior to her role with AMSI, Darla has worked for the School of Mathematics and Statistics, the Faculty of Science and for University Services during her 12 years at The University of Melbourne.

Biography

Coming soon

Biography

Mari is responsible for developing the marketing and communications strategies and communication plans for AMSI and its programs, including branding and e-communications, positioning, networking and outreach activities. Before joining AMSI, Mari held senior marketing positions at the UK Financial Times (UK) and the Victorian National Parks Association. Mari graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality from La Trobe University.

Biography

Kristin is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at AMSI. She is responsible for coordinating and delivering the Marketing and Communications strategy for the Choose Maths project. After graduating with a Bachelor of Tourism and Management from the University of Tasmania in 2004 she then made the move across the water to settle in Melbourne where she went on to complete a Masters of Marketing from Deakin University in 2013. With experience spanning across the education sector as well as within industry, she is excited to be working on such a worthwhile project encouraging more students, particularly girls, to seek opportunities in mathematics. Outside of work, Kristin enjoys getting outdoors, travelling and sampling Melbourne’s amazing food and wine culture with friends and family.

Biography

Coming soon

Biography

Coming soon

Biography

Michael is responsible for providing multimedia design and development services for print and web-based delivery environments. He also provides support to staff relating to the use of multimedia technology for improved communication through web, design and interactive media.

Biography

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Biography

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Biography

Chloe is responsible for the AMSI Research and Higher Education portfolio. Prior to joining AMSI, Chloe worked on international and domestic marketing and recruitment strategies to attract undergraduate and postgraduate students to the University of Melbourne. Chloe also has experience in policy and advocacy relating to equity in higher education and public health reform in the state of Victoria.

Qualifications: BA (Tourism & Communication Management)
Position: Project Coordinator

Phone: +61 3 8344 2103
Email: angela.coughlin@amsi.org.au

 

Biography

Angela is responsible for the successful planning and delivery of projects and events that form the national AMSI Research and Higher Education Program. She has held positions in the government, not-for-profit and hospitality industries. Prior to joining AMSI, Angela coordinated the annual national program of events for a medical membership-based organisation including event marketing and promotion, and sponsorship management.

Biography

Anna is responsible for the successful planning and delivery of projects and events that form the national AMSI Research and Higher Education Program. She has previously worked in a range of different industries such as the arts, philanthropy and travel, and worked on a number of prestigious events including Live Performance Australia’s Annual Helpmann Awards®, and TEDx St Kilda. Anna’s work experience spans marketing, sponsorship and events.

Biography

Francesca is responsible for providing administrative and project support to the Research and Higher Education team. Before joining AMSI in 2017, she worked as a library assistant and research assistant while completing her studies at The University of Melbourne.

Biography

Liam has been with AMSI since the beginning of 2014. His main responsibility is providing administrative support to the AMSI sponsored events run throughout the year. As well as posting to social media channels, updating content on the Research and Higher Education websites and maintaining the advertising mailing lists . Liam completed his BSc in Bioengineering Systems in 2014 and an Honours year in Biomechanics in 2015 at the University of Melbourne.

Biography

Inge completed an MSc at the University of Oxford, and a research MPhil at the University of London, and then worked for industry and the University of Aberdeen in the UK, and for the CSIRO in Canberra. She completed a PhD in statistics at the ANU in 1991 on theoretical problems in image analysis. In 1991 she joined the University of Newcastle. From 2003 she taught statistics at the University of New South Wales, and she joined the University of Adelaide in early 2009. Inge’s research interests are in statistical learning and data science involving new statistical methods and theory for high-dimensional data and their applications in particular to proteomics and cancer research. She published the research and graduate text `Analysis of Multivariate and High-Dimensional Analysis’ with CUP in late 2013, and currently holds a part-time research-only appointment at the University of Adelaide.
Inge has been passionate about encouraging young women to study mathematics and take up careers involving mathematics for many years, and she has conducted annual workshops for female high-school students and their teachers while at the Universities of New South Wales and Adelaide. Inge commenced her role as Executive Director for AMSI and for the Choose Maths program in mid-2015 building on her passion for engaging girls and young women in her love for mathematics.

Biography

Janine McIntosh manages AMSI Schools. Janine leads a professional development and schools visit program for teachers across the country. Through clusters of schools supported by industry and government partners, Janine’s aim is to encourage more Australians to enjoy and study mathematics.

Janine is one of the authors of ICE-EM Mathematics, and has developed a suite of online and careers materials in her time at AMSI. Janine was one of the writers for the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics F – 10. She is an experienced primary teacher, who has worked as a lecturer in mathematics education at the University of Melbourne and serves on the Maths Challenge and AMOC Committees of the Australian Mathematics Trust.

Biography

Biography

Kristin is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at AMSI. She is responsible for coordinating and delivering the Marketing and Communications strategy for the Choose Maths project. After graduating with a Bachelor of Tourism and Management from the University of Tasmania in 2004 she then made the move across the water to settle in Melbourne where she went on to complete a Masters of Marketing from Deakin University in 2013. With experience spanning across the education sector as well as within industry, she is excited to be working on such a worthwhile project encouraging more students, particularly girls, to seek opportunities in mathematics. Outside of work, Kristin enjoys getting outdoors, travelling and sampling Melbourne’s amazing food and wine culture with friends and family.

Biography

Darla Trejo is the Administrative and Finance Officer for the Choose Maths project.  She provides administrative support, coordinates national events and is responsible for the financial management and reporting of the project.  Prior to her role with AMSI, Darla has worked for the School of Mathematics and Statistics, the Faculty of Science and for University Services during her 12 years at The University of Melbourne.

Biography

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” (Lao-tzu).

Jacinta is one of AMSI’s Schools Outreach Officers. Jacinta’s journey started with being ‘good at maths’ at school, then continued with maths being one of her favourite subjects to teach. She enjoys problem solving and puzzles and building and creating.

As maths educator she now shares this love of maths and teaching mathematics with others. Jacinta has been a primary school teacher for 20 years, holding various leadership positions including wellbeing, sport and of course mathematics. She holds a Masters in School Leadership (Numeracy) and is working on a Grad Cert in Educational Research. Jacinta believes maths should be fun, challenging and promote a sense of achievement. It’s the journey, not the destination that is important!

Biography

Susan was born and raised in England. She began her academic career at Cambridge University where she completed a Masters degree in Mathematics. Research then beckoned and, being sponsored by the UK’s largest pharmaceutical company, she obtained a MSc and PhD from Leicester University. Her field of research was Medical Statistics, looking specifically at the analysis of multiple end points in clinical trials. Susan then entered the world of education, hoping to instill some of her passion for the subject into the future generation. She spent ten years teaching Mathematics in an English boarding school before moving her family to the sunnier Australian climate. For the last fourteen years, Susan has continued to teach Mathematics to years 10 to 12 as well as being the Head of Senior Learning and having overall responsibility for the VCE curriculum in an independent school.

Susan is thrilled to be part of this exciting project and views it as a perfect amalgamation of all her academic passions. When she’s not working Susan likes reading, spending time with her family and watching episodes of Friends.

Biography

After 30 + years teaching across all year levels, Helen has joined AMSI as a Schools Outreach Project Officer. While Maths has always been her ‘best subject,’ her passion for mathematics education really began when she had the opportunity to work on the NT Numeracy Project with Diane Siemon from RMIT.  Moving from Darwin to Victoria in 2005, Helen’s interest and knowledge in the teaching of Maths, particularly at primary level, continued to grow, while working as a Teaching and Learning Coach with the Department of Education and Training. She found working with teachers to build their capacity, particularly in the teaching of Maths, to be extremely rewarding. Working as part of the ‘Choose Maths’ project, where improving participation and engagement in Maths, particularly among girls, are key, will enable Helen to continuing working with teachers and students to enhance their enjoyment of Mathematics.

Biography

Nadia joined the AMSI team as a Schools Outreach Officer in 2017. She began her career as a Quality Control and Research specialist after completing her Bachelor of Science with a major in Geophysics in 1997. Her passion for education drove her to complete a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education, enabling her to work as a teacher of mathematics for 13 years. In this time, Nadia has held the positions of Numeracy Coordinator and Learning Culture leader with a particular focus on PAT-M and NAPLAN statistics. She has also spent time writing for Oxford University Press, developing assessment tasks for their range of mathematics textbooks.

Nadia’s passion for education has been driven by her own personal “struggle” in Mathematics during her time at school. Overcoming these difficulties and finding a true love for maths, she has made it her mission to assist students in developing effective strategies in order to combat their own challenges and find beauty, appreciation and success in mathematics.

Biography

Marcus Garrett is one of the Schools Outreach Officers for the Choose Maths project. This role involves working with the Schools Outreach Team in the support of teachers in teaching mathematics, the development of mathematics materials for use in schools and the collection and dissemination of information and advice on careers in mathematics and mathematics in careers. Marcus has a Bachelor of Economics with a Diploma of Education and a Graduate Certificate in Personnel Management. He has about 23 years experience in Education, including both primary and secondary (Economics, Business, Vocational and Financial Studies), curriculum consulting, teacher training and employment, education and training policy roles. Marcus grew up in Sydney and moved his family to the Upper Hunter Valley of NSW in 2001, where he and his partner raised their three kids. More recently, he and his family moved to Melbourne to take advantage of educational and employment opportunities and to be able to attend live AFL games more frequently than was the case in his home state. Marcus has also dabbled in amateur theatre, likes to read good books and, besides his human family, lives with two small dogs who are unashamedly spoiled rotten.

Biography

Anna is excited to have joined the AMSI team as a Schools Outreach Officer. She has worked in education for over 30 years.  In that time Anna has held various roles both in primary schools, as a classroom teacher and mathematics leader, and within Catholic Education Melbourne, as a Mathematics Resource Officer, Teaching and Learning Coach (Numeracy), School Adviser (Mathematics) and Learning Consultant (Mathematics).

In the past 10 years the focus of Anna’s work has been on school improvement in mathematics learning and teaching within the primary school sector. Anna has completed a Master of Education from Melbourne University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Mathematics Leadership from Monash University.

Anna is a passionate educator who loves the mathematics curriculum and leading change in this area by influencing teacher knowledge and practice in order to improve student learning outcomes. She is enthusiastic about providing access to mathematics learning for all students, with a focus on students being thinkers, challenged and striving to be the best that they can be.

Biography

Cassandra joined the AMSI Choose Maths team in July 2017. Her journey to become a mathematics educator began soon after secondary school, where she completed a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, specialising in statistics. Many years of being told by others that they “hated maths at school” would lead her to complete a teaching degree at the University of Melbourne, in the hope to shift students’ attitudes towards her beloved subject. In 2012, with a renewed focus on leadership, she returned to the University of Melbourne to complete a Master of Education in which she focused on mathematics education.

Cassandra has worked across the Government and Catholic sectors in various primary schools in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Her most recent position was as F-3 Mathematics Leader at Lumen Christi Catholic Primary School in Point Cook. This role allowed her to strengthen her links with the Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV) and eventually led her school to be recognised as a Maths Active School (MAS). This partnership also gave Cassandra the opportunity to present at the MAV Annual Conference and write an article for MAV’s newsletter, Common Denominator.

Cassandra is a passionate Carlton supporter who can often be found checking out the latest restaurants and bars that Melbourne has to offer. She has one son, currently completing Year 12, who is hoping to study economics at university next year.

Biography

Leanne has joined the AMSI Choose Maths team after some time with Catholic Education Melbourne as a School Advisor – Mathematics, and is very excited to extend her work with schools around Australia. She has a Bachelor of Science with majors in Biochemistry and Genetics and has developed a real interest in bioinformatics, which combines her love of Mathematics and Biology beautifully.

Over her 25 year teaching career, Leanne has worked at Independent, Government and Catholic schools, teaching mostly secondary Maths, Science and Biology, but also working with primary teachers to bring these subjects to life in the early years. A real career highlight for Leanne was her time with Museum Victoria doing everything from educational consulting on the Marine Exhibition through presenting Bugs Alive and Dinosaur education programs to running the planetarium and teaching astrophysics.

Leanne’s passion for girls’ education is embodied in her twin daughters who are both studying mathematics at a tertiary level. She is looking forward to having an Engineer to solve her problems and a Physiotherapist to iron out her knots.

Biography

Julia Collins is an Outreach Officer for the ChooseMaths program, with a particular focus on managing the ‘Women in Mathematics’ initiative. She will be establishing a community of role models and developing events to inspire young female Australians to continue with mathematical studies and careers.

Julia comes to AMSI from the University of Edinburgh, where for five years she was the Mathematics Engagement Officer, doing a combination of undergraduate lecturing and community outreach. She regularly gives public lectures about her favourite parts of maths and is especially keen to highlight the connections between maths and craft. In 2016 she helped create the world’s first ever Maths Craft Festival, which took place in Auckland and featured eight craft creation stations as well as a series of lectures.

Graduating with an MMath in 2006 and a PhD in Knot Theory in 2011, Julia is passionate about communicating the beauty and wonder of mathematics. She is often accompanied by her trusty sheep Haggis (on Twitter as @haggismaths), and in her spare time will either be found knitting in a café or hiking in the hills.

Biography

Ning obtained a university place through the first National Higher Education Entrance Examination after it was suspended for 11 years in the Cultural Revolution. Ning completed a BSc in Applied Mathematics and an MSc in Econometrics at Hunan University, one of the universities that have the longest history in China and a place surrounded by the beautiful Yue Lu Hill and Xiang Jiang River.

Ning taught as a Teaching Assistant in Hunan Finance & Economics Institute and a Lecturer at Guangdong University of Finance and Economics. To satisfy her curiosity in statistical computing Ning completed a PhD in Statistics at La Trobe University after migrating to Australia with her husband and daughter. Ning conducted teaching and research in Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, RMIT University, La Trobe University, and Melbourne University. Recently Ning started a research and data manager role for the Choose Maths program in AMSI. Prior to this role Ning held positions as a Survey Methodologist and a Senior Research Support Officer in the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, where she was deeply engaged in every aspects of statistical practice.

Ning believes that mathematics is a powerful tool for thought, it is useful and interesting. Ning’s research interest includes missing data formulation, appropriate use of data in social economic investigations, and research into gender equity in mathematics education and STEM careers.

Biography

Cate is the National Program Manager for APR.Intern and has been managing the program since 2011. Cate is responsible for the strategic direction and operational management of the APR.Intern program. Her role provides high-level leadership, strategic development and implementation for the expansion of the APR.Intern program, whilst driving the number of placements across our member universities.

It is her responsibility to drive new business partnerships, leverage funding opportunities and source strategic collaborative arrangements with both public and private enterprises and government.

Prior to her position at AMSI, Cate held a role at a tertiary education college in Sydney, where her efforts were focused both on developing further business and industry training.

Biography

Glen is the National Program Manager (acting) for APR.Intern. Glen is responsible for the strategic direction and operational management of the APR.Intern program. His role provides high-level leadership, strategic development and implementation for the expansion of the APR.Intern program, whilst driving the number of placements across our member universities.

It is his responsibility to work with the Business Development Managers to drive new business partnerships, leverage funding opportunities and source strategic collaborative arrangements with both public and private enterprises and government.

Prior to his position at AMSI, Glen held a range of senior marketing and publishing roles working with government, industry and the higher education sector.

Biography

Margo’s role is to provide high quality customer service, administrative and project support to the National Program Manager and the APR.Intern team.

Before joining AMSI, Margo worked in Human Resources at The University of Melbourne and also held corporate HR, career development and administration roles in Australia and the UK.

Biography

Anne is a Project Officer for APR.Intern, primarily developing processes and systems to support the program’s growth and data collection and analysis to inform the program’s strategic directions.

Anne has been employed at AMSI since 2010, having been Executive Assistant to the AMSI Director for almost 5 years, and seconded as the Manager of the Research and Higher Education program for 3 months in 2016. Anne has experience in a variety of areas which include finance, human resources, marketing & communications and contract administration. Prior to AMSI, she has previously worked in a range of industries, having held roles at AAMI Limited, The Royal Children’s Hospital and Service Stream Communications.

Anne holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience with a second major in pharmacology (Monash University, 2005) and a Graduate Diploma in Management, with an interest in project management and human resource management (University of Melbourne, 2013).

Anne is a member of the Project Management Institute, enjoys fencing as a member of Fioretto Fencing Club and is also a member of the Hawthorn Football Club.

Biography

Joanna provides administrative and project support for APR.Intern.

Before joining AMSI in late 2017, she worked at The University of Melbourne in various part-time roles including assisting the Mathematics Education Group at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Infrastructure Services and the Victorian College of the Arts.

Qualifications: BA, MA
Position: Program & Finance Support, APR.Intern
Phone: +61 3 9035 7597
Email: s.kennedy@aprintern.org.au

 

Biography

coming soon

Biography

Rachel joined the APR.Intern team as Business Developer in 2015 and has worked extensively with the program during its three-year co-investment expansion between AMSI’s eight Member Universities in Victoria and NSW.

As Senior Business Developer, Rachel is responsible for managing the program’s key national partnerships and works with a number of industry partners – public and private – from various sectors, to deliver placements and establish large–scale enterprise agreements. Her role also includes working with universities and industry nationally to assist with the scale-up of the program.

With over four years managing APR.Intern, Rachel provides an experienced approach to addressing the R&D needs of industry, and establishing beneficial collaborations for all parties.

Qualifications: TBA
Position: Business Development Officer – VIC Cluster
Phone: +61 3 8344 9830
Email: f.druitt@aprintern.org.au

 

Biography

Fiona holds a Bachelor of Science with honours from Melbourne University, with majors in physics and applied mathematics. Fiona’s honours research was in the area of nonlinear analysis (integrability). Fiona also holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours from Melbourne University, majoring in cultural studies (gender studies) and creative writing. Fiona is about to submit an interdisciplinary PhD thesis that explores the divisions and multiplications of mathematics, physics, philosophy and history across historical time and across the ‘two cultures’ of Science and the Humanities (and the practical or theoretical disciplines within them).

Fiona also has a wealth of experience in R&D and in business development in the Petroleum Industry. As a Statistical Inventory Reporting Analyst (SIRA) for Leighton O’Brien Pty Ltd, Fiona’s role involved statistical monitoring of environmental data from underground petroleum tanks. She also contributed to Leighton O’Brien’s industry research and development and managed a corporate account for Leighton O’Brien’s SIRA program for over six years.

Fiona is passionate about the theory and application of academic research to problems that arise in nature, in society and in their intersections.

Biography

Mark is the Business Development Officer for APR.Intern servicing AMSI’s partnership with a cluster of universities in Sydney under the co-investment program. Mark’s role is focused on driving internships in NSW, initially with University of Sydney and UTS.

Before joining AMSI, Mark worked in Business Development in Human Resources with professional services organisations for over 15 years. This included significant recruitment and career development activities in the private sector with Adecco, Lee Hecht Harrison and Morgan & Banks.

Prior to this, Mark held Senior Human Resources roles in Bayer & Allergan and has in-depth understanding of management practices, industry challenges, research and development and he brings a commercial edge and extensive industry network.

Biography

Susan has a background in research, having completed her PhD in Environmental Sciences at James Cook University in Townsville. Her PhD research focused on population demographics of dwarf minke whales that are involved in swim-with programs in the northern Great Barrier Reef. Since the completion of her studies, Susan has worked as a Project Manager and Team Leader in various projects, most of which investigated the management of marine megafauna in Queensland waters, the Torres Strait and Western Australia. Most recently, Susan worked as the Project Officer for TropINTERN, an HDR student internship program that was internally administered at James Cook University.

Susan’s main interests are in fostering collaborations between researchers and industry partners to  support decision making processes of management agencies, tourism industries and conservation organisations with the latest research findings.

Biography

David joined the APR.Intern team in 2018 as a Business Development Officer, based in South Australia. David is responsible for working with all the universities in South Australia to generate internships across a range of industries and sectors, with Defence being a key sector.

Prior to his position at APR.Intern, David held various positions as a Senior Researcher within the Social Sciences and various senior research administration positions in the higher education/research sector in Australia and the UK. Most recently, David worked as a Grant Developer at the University of South Australia in which he provided support to over 140 academics across the Division of Business, to develop compelling research grant applications for nationally competitive funding. As a result, he brings a wealth of knowledge of the research policy structures within which Universities operate and experience of assisting academics to engage with industry partners.

David holds a PhD in Sociology.