Prof Bram Hoex
Conference Chair
Bram Hoex is a Professor and Deputy Head at the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). His research focuses on the development and application of nanoscale thin films in a wide range of renewable energy devices in particular solar cells. He is also an enthusiastic user of new technology, as evidenced by the development of the PV-Manufacturing.org website and the SunSolve tool for tertiary teaching, as well as spending a significant part of his spare time in virtual reality solving puzzles, fighting aliens, or exploring the real world from above using his drone.
Prof Alison Lennon
Organising Committee Member
Alison Lennon is a Professor at the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Her research focuses on metallisation and module fabrication for silicon photovoltaics. She has supervised to completion more than 20 PhD students and is currently the School’s Postgraduate Coordinator. Her spare time is spent co-raising two young people, who will hopefully live in a fully electric future powered by renewable energy sources.
A/Prof Nicholas Ekins-Daukes (Ned)
Scientific Program Committee Chair
Ned Ekins-Daukes is Associate Professor at the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). His research seeks to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic solar power conversion towards the ultimate limit of 93%, taking device concepts from thermodynamic validation, laboratory feasibility to a working prototype device. Outside of the university he spends his time with his wife and two daughters and enjoys woodwork, skiing and hiking in the mountains.
Dr Siva Karuturi
Organising Committee Member
Dr. Siva Karuturi is a lead researcher at the Australian National University and a former recipient of the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Fellowship. His research interests lie primarily in the areas of materials engineering and device fabrication for application in solar energy conversion. Outside his work, he loves spending time with his two young kids, going for long drives and cooking authentic Hyderabad biriyani for friends.
Prof Renate Egan
Organising Committee Member
Professor Renate Egan leads the UNSW activity in the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics. Recently described as one of Eight Great Women in the Business of Science and Solar by Renewable Energy World, she has led manufacturing and industrial technology development of energy technologies in Australia, Germany and China. As an innovator, entrepreneur and academic, Renate is passionate about using her skills to increase the uptake of solar and accelerate the energy transition. Renate joined 75 women scientists and engineers for 21 days in Antarctica on the first Homeward Bound voyage – and learnt a lot about penguins, polar-dips and human behaviour in extreme environments.
Patricia Xu
Organising Committee Member
Patricia is the School Manager at the University of New South Wales. She has extensive experience and skills in financial and budget management, sound financial modelling, in-depth analysis and sustainable business planning adding insights to the planning and strategic development of PVSEC-31. Patricia sees herself as a gym junkie (6-7 days a week!) and, when she puts her mind to it, likes to be a masterchef in her home kitchen.