Dr Alex Cavallaro

Dr. Alex Cavallaro is a highly skilled technical expert who enables cutting-edge research across diverse fields, including defence, space, physical and biomedical sciences, energy transition, and large-scale agricultural and mining projects through microscopy and microanalysis. His extensive expertise in advanced imaging and analysis techniques—such as ToF-SIMS, XPS, Confocal, Fluorescence, Optical, and Electron Microscopy and, a range of spectroscopic analysis equipment—enables him to deliver high-impact outcomes and provide complex strategic and scientific solutions to institutional and external stakeholders.

In his current role, Alex manages core research infrastructure, including national level state-of-the-art microscopy and microanalysis suites, multi-instrumentation laboratories and PC2 laboratories using a strategic and holistic approach. This role extends to managing excellence, compliance, and sustainability of multi-disciplinary facilities, as well as providing strategic insight into future research infrastructure at UniSA. Alex’s key strength is to provide multifaceted and specialised scientific advice in terms of instrumentation utilisation, method development and other high-level support. This encompasses physical, biological, material, mineral, pharmaceutical and environmental sciences, where Alex has successfully managed high-impact projects and assisted staff, students, and external clients, such as industry clients, and national and international researchers, with evaluating the intricate technical requirements for their projects, and assisting in the microscopy, imaging, and analysis aspects of these. He represents the university in national-level forums towards industry engagement. This has led him to become a key contact for numerous industry partners who require access to microscopy infrastructure. As a member of the Microscopy Australia Data and Informatics committee, Alex has helped shape the institute’s data management procedures and developed the procedure that underpins the current best-practice for data management at UniSA and has contributed to the Microscopy Australia national data policy framework.

As a published researcher, Alex’s scientific journey began at Flinders University, where he investigated the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of synthetic nanoparticles. He earned his PhD from the University of South Australia, focusing on plasma-deposited polymeric thin films for antibacterial applications. After this he worked within the Mawson Institute and Future Industries Institute, developing novel controlled drug release systems and, developing mesoporous polymer structures for biomedical imaging. Drawing on his research experience, Alex is highly regarded for his ability to evaluate and mitigate risks across the chemical, biological, and nanotoxicological domains, while ensuring research excellence.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy University of South Australia

• Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) Flinders University