Mahaveer Bilkhu is a PhD candidate in the School of Chemical Engineering at Adelaide University and has graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering. His current research focuses on investigating and optimising hydrometallurgical processes for the sustainable recycling of lithium-ion batteries and improving critical metal recovery from mixed battery waste streams. His previous work included the development of a digital twin for the mashing process in brewing, focusing on modelling and optimisation for Waite microbrewery at the University of Adelaide. His research interests include process modelling, reaction kinetics, and sustainable resource recovery.

Thea, a Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Queensland, commenced her career in Process Engineering at the Caltex Lytton Refinery in 2012. Over six years, she contributed to various roles, including capital projects, helping to deliver a first of its kind $43M gasoline upgrading unit. Transitioning to the waste industry in 2018, she joined Cleanaway, initially in waste lube oil re-refining and now as the Fixed Plant Services Manager, tasked with driving a step-change in fixed plant maintenance. As an avid problem solver, Thea can be found most weekends obsessing over a bouldering problem at a local climbing crag.

Milica is a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Auckland. Her research investigates hydrothermal conversion processes for transforming plastic waste into carbon-rich intermediates and evaluating their potential as renewable substrates for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer production. This work contributes to the development of integrated thermochemical–biological pathways for the valorisation of plastic waste. Milica’s research interests include thermochemical processing, waste-to-resource technologies, and circular-economy approaches to sustainable materials production.

Mohammad is a PhD candidate at Adelaide University, specializing in the development of sustainable chemical engineering processes. His current research project, "Development and Optimization of Mineral Carbonation Technology for Industrial Waste and Mine Tailings," focuses on transforming mining byproducts into stable carbon sinks. Mohammad's work evaluates the thermodynamic stability of carbonated minerals, such as siderite, to improve process yields and ensure the long-term viability of large-scale, industrial CO2 sequestration technologies.

Dr Joanne Tanner is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Monash University and Director of SAMPL, the Student Analytical Makerspace and Pilot Laboratories, which include the Monash Engineering Pilot Plant. Her work focuses on sustainable chemical processing, biorefinery systems, and process scale-up, supporting the development of cleaner industrial technologies. She works closely with industry and research partners to translate laboratory innovations into real-world engineering applications while advancing experiential learning opportunities for engineering students.

Dharanija Banala is a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at RMIT University, Melbourne. She specialises in developing sustainable polymer composites using recovered carbon black derived from end-of-life tyre pyrolysis. Dharanija has wide-ranging experience in journal management and process manufacturing. Her research interests include waste management, sustainable materials, circular economy applications, advanced material recovery, and industrial-scale optimisation.