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CLAYTON SOUTH VIC 3169 AUSTRALIA
Biography
Gavin completed a double major degree in Organic Chemistry, and Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, with undergraduate courses in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Zoology, at the University of Western Australia. He then completed an Honours and PhD in Mechanistic Synthetic Organic Chemistry, studying the synthesis, trapping and characterisation of theoretically interesting highly strained compounds. During this period, he worked with AGC-Woodward Clyde (Perth, WA) and Worsley Alumina (Collie, WA) as an Environmental Consultant and Scientific Research Officer.
He undertook a post-doctoral fellowship at Massey University (New Zealand), where he focused on the synthesis and polymerisation of designer monomers to create functionalised electroactive conducting polymers for photovoltaic, catalysis and sensor applications. In addition to lecturing at the University, he was appointed as Assistant Director of the then newly formed Nanomaterials Research Centre (NRC), where he managed a group of staff, post-docs and students focused on the development and synthesis of novel materials for use in energy generation and sensor applications.
He then took up a position at Los Alamos National Laboratory (New Mexico, USA) where he used his skills as a synthetic chemist on a variety of collaborative, multidisciplinary projects, such as functionalised conducting polymers for sensing aqueous radioactive materials, organometallic complexes for catalysis, the Origins of Life project, volatile chemical warfare agent sensors, designer ligands for detecting environmental and biological beryllium (portable sensing kit was commercialised) and metal-polymer complexes for thin film coating technologies.
Since being at CSIRO he has used and broadened his synthetic chemistry, chemical processing, characterisation, and device skills in several areas across the organisation, working with other staff on commercial and strategic projects in energy generation, energy storage and developing sustainable materials and processes. He has led projects employing computational methods and high-throughput assays to design custom materials and processes for organic electronics (organic photovoltaics, organic field effect transistors, organic light emitting diodes), flame retardant textiles, functionalised electroactive polymers as electrode materials, novel corrosion inhibitors and, more recently, battery recycling and next generation materials for energy storage. Gavin has received the prestigious CSIRO OCE Julius Career and Churchill Fellowship Awards for his scientific achievements.
Gavin is passionate about the environment, renewable energy, and cross-disciplinary science collaborations.
Professional Areas
Academic Qualifications
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Doctor of Philosophy (Organic Chemistry), The University of Western Australia
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Honours in Chemistry, The University of Western Australia
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Bachelor of Science, The University of Western Australia
Professional Experiences
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2022-2023
Team Leader - Emerging Energy Technologies
Devices & Engineered Systems Program -
2021-2022
Team Leader - Electrochemical Systems
Devices & Engineered Systems Program -
2017-2021
Team Leader - Electrochemical Systems
Metal Industries Program -
2016-2017
FSP AIM Co-Testbed Leader
Water Technologies for the Future -
2016-2020
Adjunct Associate Professor
School of Engineering Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University -
2014-2017
Team Leader - Industrial Chemicals
Advanced Fibres and Chemical Industries -
2006-2011
Polymers for Photovoltaics (Project Leader/Manager)
CRC-P, Clayton, Melbourne Australia. -
2006-2008
Research Scientist Fellow
CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Clayton, Australia. -
2002-2006
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Chemistry - Structural, Inorganic and Catalysis,
Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, USA. -
2000-2002
Assistant Director of Nanomaterials Research Centre and NERF Post-Doctoral Fellow
Massey University, New Zealand. -
1997-1999
MURF Post-Doctoral Fellow, Chemistry Department
Massey University, New Zealand. -
1999-1999
Organic Lecturer
Massey University, New Zealand. -
1992-1993
Environmental Chemist,
AGC-Woodward Clyde Pty Ltd, Engineering and Environmental Science Consultants, Perth, W.A. -
1992-1997
Chemistry Tutor
St Thomas Moore College, UWA; St Catherines College, UWA; UWA Centre for Aboriginal Programmes) -
1991-1992
Research Assistant
Chemistry Department, UWA. -
1990-1991
Research Chemist, Research and Development
Worsley Alumina, Collie W.A.
Achievements and Awards
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July 2021-July 2021
Metal Industries Program "Focus on Safety" Award for relocating battery labs and upgrading lab safety
CSIRO Manufacturing -
2020-Present
Churchill Fellowship
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust -
2018-2018
Inaugural CSIRO Battery Symposia Award for Organizing Committee Involvement
CSIRO Manufacturing -
2017-2017
Manufacturing Monthly Award – Laboratory Safety Improvements
CSIRO -
2008-2011
OCE Julius Award
CSIRO
Community and Corporate Citizenship
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2020-Present
Member of the Minerals, Metal and Materials (TMS) Recycling & Environmental Technologies Committee
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2020-Present
CSIRO Mental First Aid Officer
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2016-2019
Manufacturing and Minerals Indigenous Engagement Committee
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2015-2016
Vice President CSIROCare Committee
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2015-Present
Health & Safety Representative, Manufacturing Flagship
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2015-Present
Staff Representative, Clayton Site HSE Committee, Manufacturing Flagship
We have publications by Dr Gavin Collis
Published data & software
We have published items by Dr Gavin Collis