Dr Gayathri Naidu is the Deputy Head of School (Research) for the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and an Associate Professor in Chemical Process Engineering. She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Engineering at the University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur and Imperial College London, respectively and obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering from UTS. Dr Gayathri is leading a team of researchs in synthesizing nanomaterials and membranes for sustainable critical mineral separation. Her research work has garnered Australian Research Council discovery grants, translation to global industry commercialization with NEOM Energy and Water Company, international honours and fellowships (International Johnson&Johnson Fellowship), high impact publications, filed patents (Australian IP) and professional services and editorial roles – editorial member of Desalination Journal and Board of Director of Membrane Society of Australasia (2021-2023).