Interests
Biomaterials, polymer thin films, antibacterial surfaces, organic electronics, biodegradable materials, green chemistry, non-equilibrium reactive chemistry, plasma nanoscience, nanobioscience, material characterisation, in vitro material testing
Biography
Professor Alexander currently holds an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship to develop new materials and devices for space, and an ANU Futures Fellowship in the area of plasma medicine and biotechnology. Previously, she held an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award to develop bioactive coatings for implantable materials. She received her PhD cum laude in 2012, MBA in 2009, and MEng in 2005, and was awarded a Graduate Certificate of Academic Practice from QUT in 2015.
Research
Prof Alexander studies the fundamental processes that take place when plasma come into contact with different types of matter. She currently leads a research program that focuses on ‘plasma for materials’ (i.e. plasma synthesis, assembly and processing of materials), ‘plasma for biology’ (i.e. plasma treatment of biomolecules and living objects for aquaculture, biotechnology and medicine), and, more recently, on ‘plasma for space propulsion’ (i.e. electric propulsion that generates thrust from a quasi-neutral plasma). Her interests also include the development of efficient ways to convert low- and negative-value feed stocks into functional materials to support Australia’s transition towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
Activities & Awards
Professor Alexander’s awards and fellowships include:
- 2020 - 2020 Outstanding Early Career Alumnus, James Cook University
- 2019 - 2019 Queensland Tall Poppy Award
- 2019 - Minister’s Award, Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- 2019 - Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- 2013 to 2015 - Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
- 2013 - Endeavour Research Fellowship
- 2012 - Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering Gold Medal
- 2012 - James Cook University Medal for Excellence for Doctoral Research Thesis
- 2010 - Endeavour Research Fellowship
- 2008 to 2012 - Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) Scholarship
- 2008 to 2012 - Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Postgraduate Research Award
- 2011 - Inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre Student Prize
- 2009 to 2010 - Science and Innovation Award for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- 2008 - Queensland Government Smart Women - Smart State Award