Rob has a 20 year track record of research and commercialisation in the fields of thin film coatings, biomaterial science and life science tools research. He studied Chemistry (BSc) and Physical Chemistry (PhD) at the University of Durham (UK) and joined the University of Sheffield in 1988, where he held the Chair of Material and Biomaterial Chemistry from 2001. During this period, he was a founder Director of two University spin-out companies. He was appointed Director of the Mawson Institute, University of South Australia in 2006-2013, and in 2008 he joined the ARC College of Experts (2008-10). He has held positions on several Boards and on Scientific Advisory Groups. From late 2013 to January 2015 he was appointed Pro Vice... Read more
About me
Rob has a 20 year track record of research and commercialisation in the fields of thin film coatings, biomaterial science and life science tools research. He studied Chemistry (BSc) and Physical Chemistry (PhD) at the University of Durham (UK) and joined the University of Sheffield in 1988, where he held the Chair of Material and Biomaterial Chemistry from 2001. During this period, he was a founder Director of two University spin-out companies. He was appointed Director of the Mawson Institute, University of South Australia in 2006-2013, and in 2008 he joined the ARC College of Experts (2008-10). He has held positions on several Boards and on Scientific Advisory Groups. From late 2013 to January 2015 he was appointed Pro Vice Chancellor: ITEE.
Rob’s principal research field is plasma polymerization. He hopes that his work in this field has contributed to a better understanding the multi-facetted processes that lead to thin film growth from low temperature plasma. Studies have involved the application of mass spectrometry and novel electrostatic probes. In 1992 he was awarded the CR Burch Prize for outstanding work in Physical Chemistry for Thin Films or Vacuum.Relevant contributions in biomaterial science, in the areas of protein adsorption, cellular attachment and wound-healing, have led to the development of a bandage that attaches and releases cells into non-healing wounds. This technology was commercialised in 2000 by the University of Sheffield. The resulting product, myskin™, and its allogenic variant cryoskin™, are used clinically to treat burns, scalds and chronic ulcers. In 2003 Rob founded Plasso Technology, an advanced surface engineering company for developing tailored coatings for use in diagnostics and life sciences. The company’s first product EpranEx™ (now known as the BD™ Heparin Binding Plate) is used to immobilise heparin without modification, thereby retaining its natural ability to interact with other biomolecules. In May 2007 the company was sold to BD Biosciences, a leading global medical technology company. Based upon the acquired technology BD Biosciences have developed a range of surfaces for a number of applications in life science research.
Rob is kept busy with research in two CRCs Wound Management Innovation WMI (www.woundcrc.com) and Cell Therapy Manufacturing.
About me
Fellow of The Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining (FIMMM)
Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)
Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE)
About me
Doctor of Philosophy University of Durham
Bachelor of Science University of Durham
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Simple effective anti-microbial and wound healing dressings (SP 09.1 WMI), Wound Management Innovation CRC, 01/04/2015 - 30/06/2018
CTM 1-09 Plasma methods to coat cell culture surfaces with novel monomeric chemicals, Cell Therapy Manufacturing CRC, 01/08/2016 - 31/08/2017
The development of flexible, graded plasma surface engineered coatings for superior interfacial performance, ARC - Linkage Project, 12/09/2011 - 31/12/2015
Development of flexible, graded plasma surface engineered coatings for superior interfacial performance, Contamac Ltd, 01/09/2011 - 31/12/2015
Development of advanced material-based sensors to monitor wound healing, Wound Management Innovation CRC, 30/09/2010 - 30/12/2015
Development of new dressings for burn injuries, Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation of SA, 01/01/2014 - 30/09/2015
New therapies: surfaces for rapid wound closure and infection control (2-07), Wound Management Innovation CRC, 01/01/2012 - 30/06/2015
Materials Engineering Solutions for Tomorrow's Water Resources, ARC - Linkage Project, 30/11/2010 - 31/03/2015
High Throughput Toxicity Screening of Industrially Relevant Nanoparticles Using Lab-on-a-Chip Technology, SA Dept of Premier & Cabinet, 01/01/2012 - 31/12/2013
Composite conductive electrodes for low energy desalination, ARC - Discovery Projects, 01/01/2010 - 31/12/2013
1-04 Preclinical model developement, Wound Management Innovation CRC, 09/09/2010 - 30/06/2013
Research
Research since 2008 is shown below. To see earlier years visit ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
Year | Output |
---|---|
2011 |
9
|
2010 |
2
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2020 |
Open access
1
1
|
2020 |
3
|
2019 |
Open access
21
21
1
|
2019 |
Open access
12
11
|
2019 |
Open access
1
1
2
|
2018 |
|
2018 |
Open access
15
15
4
|
2018 |
Open access
36
30
|
2018 |
Open access
7
6
11
|
2018 |
Open access
34
35
1
|
2017 |
Open access
1
2
|
2017 |
Open access
15
13
1
|
2017 |
4
4
9
|
2017 |
Open access
1
1
|
2017 |
Open access
11
11
9
|
2017 |
Open access
2
3
|
2017 |
Open access
2
|
2017 |
Open access
18
15
1
|
2017 |
Open access
42
36
1
|
2017 |
2
2
1
|
2016 |
41
29
|
2016 |
Open access
9
7
|
2016 |
Open access
20
22
2
|
2016 |
75
65
1
|
2016 |
Open access
13
13
2
|
2016 |
Open access
12
12
9
|
2016 |
4
5
|
2015 |
21
19
|
2015 |
46
44
|
2015 |
Open access
10
2
|
2015 |
Open access
27
25
|
2015 |
23
|
2015 |
Open access
17
16
1
|
2015 |
|
2015 |
9
11
|
2015 |
Open access
30
28
|
2015 |
3
22
1
|
2015 |
Open access
8
7
|
2014 |
Open access
5
6
1
|
2014 |
Open access
33
28
|
2014 |
Open access
45
43
|
2014 |
21
22
1
|
2014 |
6
8
|
2014 |
25
25
1
|
2014 |
Open access
80
70
1
|
2014 |
63
61
|
2014 |
62
61
|
2014 |
5
5
3
|
2013 |
21
20
|
2013 |
25
25
|
2013 |
32
28
4
|
2013 |
26
26
|
2013 |
29
29
|
2013 |
66
65
|
2013 |
34
34
|
2013 |
Open access
24
22
3
|
2013 |
Open access
20
20
1
|
2013 |
36
33
|
2012 |
Open access
20
19
|
2012 |
45
46
|
2012 |
29
31
|
2012 |
Open access
67
66
1
|
2012 |
Open access
175
168
7
|
2012 |
41
41
|
2012 |
Open access
17
16
1
|
2012 |
Open access
32
30
|
2012 |
24
26
|
2012 |
57
45
6
|
2012 |
25
24
3
|
2012 |
18
18
|
2012 |
83
78
|
2011 |
Open access
18
19
|
2011 |
58
58
|
2011 |
46
45
|
2011 |
34
33
|
2011 |
66
66
|
2011 |
10
10
|
2011 |
42
39
|
2011 |
10
9
|
2011 |
46
45
|
2011 |
Open access
|
2010 |
19
18
|
2010 |
35
35
|
2010 |
10
|
2010 |
12
12
|
2010 |
18
16
|
2010 |
Open access
27
22
|
2010 |
76
72
|
2010 |
66
62
|
2010 |
53
49
|
2009 |
8
10
|
2009 |
Open access
32
32
|
2009 |
93
83
|
2009 |
12
11
|
2009 |
57
53
|
2008 |
34
32
|
2008 |
59
56
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2011 |
Open access
1
1
|
2011 |
Open access
4
2
|
2010 |
|
2010 |
|
Research
Research
Details | Registry | Status |
---|---|---|
Methods and products for delivering cells Smith, Louise; Michelmore, Andrew Percival; Kirby, Giles Thomas Sipho; Cowin, Allison June; Mills, Stuart James; Short, Robert David |
WO | Filed |
External engagement & recognition
Organisation | Country |
---|---|
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) | SINGAPORE |
Australian National University | AUSTRALIA |
Australian Water Quality Centre | AUSTRALIA |
BD Biosciences | UNITED KINGDOM |
BD Biosciences,The Innovation Centre Sheffield | UNITED KINGDOM |
Bio Innovation SA | AUSTRALIA |
Carl Zeiss Vision Corporation Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
Centre for Eye Research Australia Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
Charles University in Prague | CZECH REPUBLIC |
Chinese Academy of Sciences | CHINA |
CSIRO Australia (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation) | AUSTRALIA |
Electronics Industry Association | AUSTRALIA |
Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
INP Greifswald EV | GERMANY |
Italian Institute of Technology | ITALY |
Joint Research Centre | ITALY |
Kochi Medical School | JAPAN |
Kochi University of Technology | JAPAN |
Kwangwoon University | KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH) |
Lancaster University | UNITED KINGDOM |
Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology | GERMANY |
LV Prasad Eye Institutue | INDIA |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | UNITED STATES |
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research | GERMANY |
Mayo Clinic | UNITED STATES |
Meijo University | JAPAN |
Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics | UNITED KINGDOM |
National University of Singapore | SINGAPORE |
Plasso Technology Ltd | UNITED KINGDOM |
Queensland University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
Research Laboratories Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Reutlingen University | GERMANY |
Royal Adelaide Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
SA Water Corporation | AUSTRALIA |
Schefenacker Vision Systems Australia Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
Swinburne University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology | SWITZERLAND |
Toyohashi University of Technology | JAPAN |
Universiteit Antwerpen | BELGIUM |
University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
University of Bath | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Birmingham | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of California, Berkeley | UNITED STATES |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | UNITED STATES |
University of Liverpool | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Manchester | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
University of Nottingham | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Oxford | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
University of Sheffield | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Washington | UNITED STATES |
University of Wollongong | AUSTRALIA |
Victoria University | AUSTRALIA |
Wound Management Innovation CRC | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
Engagement/recognition | Year |
---|---|
Member of learned academyAustralian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering |
2013 |
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
Thesis title | Student status |
---|---|
A study of stimulus-responsive composite materials and their applications in biomedicine | Completed |
Adhesives toughened by nanomaterials | Completed |
Conductive composites electrode for low energy capacitive desalination | Completed |
Development of a multilayer surface supporting and stimulating retinal pigment epithelium culture in vitro | Completed |
Development of porous silicon nanoparticles for therapeutic delivery | Completed |
Generating density gradients of gold nanoparticles using plasma polymeristion as a novel tool to observe cellular response | Completed |
High refractive index and semi-stepwise gradient refractive index coatings by plasma polymerisation | Completed |
Investigating plasma-tissue interactions in the context of wound healing | Completed |
Nanostructured silicon photoelectrodes for solar water electrolysis | Completed |
Optical biosensors based on nanoporous materials to detect biomarkers in chronic wound fluid | Completed |
The fabrication of silicon nanostructures using metal-assisted chemical etching and their applications in biomedicine | Completed |
The role of Flightless I in tissue regeneration | Completed |