ANTIMICROBIAL TECHNOLOGIES & DRUG DELIVERY PLATFORMS
With
Associate Professor Aaron Elbourne, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Melbourne, Australia | January 2026
Dr Aaron Elbourne is an ARC DECRA Fellow, Jack Brockhoff ECR Fellow, and Associate Professor within the School of Science at STEM Hub. A leader in nanomaterials, soft matter science, and interface research, Aaron’s work addresses critical challenges in health and the environment.
Since becoming an independent researcher, Aaron has held continuous funding from prestigious funders, including the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). His research is characterised by its interdisciplinary approach, combining chemistry, materials science, and engineering. His pioneering contributions to colloid therapeutics and soft matter science have driven advancements in diagnostic tools, antimicrobial technologies, and therapeutic delivery systems. His expertise in studying nanomaterial interactions with synthetic and biological membranes has been instrumental in translating scientific discoveries into impactful applications.
Aaron is a dedicated mentor to early-career researchers (ECRs) and students, having supervised and trained numerous postgraduate and doctoral candidates. He has played a key role in securing funding for student training initiatives, including joint PhD scholarships and National Industry PhD programs, which emphasise collaboration between academia and industry.
With a strong focus on translational research, Aaron’s work bridges the gap between fundamental science and practical applications. His leadership in creating innovative technologies, fostering academic-industry partnerships, and empowering future researchers underscores his commitment to advancing science and creating a meaningful impact.
Source: Supplied
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8562-7325
-
ROCK-induced early-onset bowel cancer progression
Professor Michael Samuel is a cell biologist whose research interest is in understanding how cancer mechanobiology influences the tumour microenvironment, thereby promoting tumour progression. He is Professor of Matrix Biology at the University of South Australia, Adelaide and heads the Tumour Microenvironment Laboratory at the Centre for Cancer Biology and the Cancer Mechanotherapies Laboratory at the Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research.
-
Mental wellbeing in rural and regional communities dealing with environmental challenges
Associate Professor Suzie Cosh is a psychologist and clinical researcher. Her work focuses on the intersection of climate change and mental health and she currently leads a body of work that focuses on supporting small rural communities to recover from and prepare for extreme weather events such as bushfires, floods and droughts.
-
Novel silk-based biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Dr Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina is a Scientia Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow leading a multidisciplinary group at the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Sydney in Australia.
Her research interests are at the interface of biology and engineering, focusing on the development of biomimetic materials that direct cellular interactions for enhanced vascularisation and for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In particular, she develops novel silk-based biomaterials and investigates how biomaterial properties translate to biological outcomes.
