Sydney in Space

Co-Director, NSW Space Research Network

Co-Director NSW Space Research Network

Tara Julia Hamilton is the Chief Scientist at the technology start-up Cuvos. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Tara received her BE (Electrical) Honours Class I and BCOM (Economics and Marketing) from the University of Sydney in 2001, her MSc (Biomedical) from the UNSW in 2003, and her PhD (Neuromorphic Engineering) from the University of Sydney in 2009. Her research interests and expertise include: neuro-inspired systems, embedded systems design, medical devices, analog and mixed-signal integrated circuit design, and bio-inspired machine learning. Tara is the author of over 120 research papers and 5 international patents. At Cuvos, Tara works to solve problems in defence, space, health, and technology. She leads a team which is focused on developing innovative solutions to real-world problems using bio-inspired technologies and algorithms.

Peter Swanton is a Gamilaraay man from Mackay, QLD. Peter graduated from The Australian National University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physics, specialising in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Peter’s work in astronomy initially began with research around black holes and cosmology, but he has since shifted his focus to cultural astronomy and dark sky preservation. Peter’s work will highlight the scientific importance of Indigenous star knowledges, and what we need to do in order to preserve these knowledges on Country, as well as in the night sky.

Clyde Webster is currently being reviewed for his PhD in Robotics Engineering and has an Honours degree in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Technology Sydney. In January 2023 he founded Crest Robotics as an avenue to commercialise the research he began during his PhD candidature, focusing on bio-inspired climbing for sparse vertical structures. Clyde has experience working in the mining and space sectors, spending the last two years as the Lead AIT Engineer for the Space Machines Company, prior experience with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Modular Mining Systems, and on various industry-funded research projects as a mechatronics engineer. He is a strong advocate for the pragmatic adoption of robotic technologies in dirty, dangerous, and demeaning jobs, and actively contributes to research on mobile robots for industrial sectors, with a focus on climbing.

Briony works in the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, overseeing grant programs and their research networks, including the Space Research Network. She has spent more than four years with NSW Government supporting the growth of the space sector in NSW, including establishing the National Space Industry Hub, the NSW Node of the SmartSat CRC, and a Space Qualification Mission, which will send NSW-created tech into space. Briony previously worked for the Federal Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, during which time she oversaw and advocated for the initial establishment and funding of the Australian Space Agency. She is passionate about the Australian space sector and the world-class space research being done in NSW.