UQ Tailings Innovation Summit
Speakers and panel members
17 - 20 November 2026
We are currently finalising speakers and panel members. Invited speakers are listed below, with profiles and further details to be added as confirmations are received. Please check back regularly for updates.
Professor Deborah Terry AC, Vice-Chancellor
Dr Emma Gagen, Director, Data and Research
Professor Rick Valenta, Director
Tábatha Chávez Matus, Manager, Innovation, Data and Research
Associate Professor Evelyn Mervine, Principal Research Fellow
David Smirk, Chief Executive Officer
Associate Professor Steve Micklethwaite, Director, Drones Central Research Program
Dr Juliana Segura-Salazar, Senior Research Fellow
Andrea López Schmidt, Innovation Manager
Bioantika, PhD candidate
Amanda de Ruyter, Principal Advisor - Water, Waste & Tailings
Ana Fernandez-Iglesias, Portfolio Director, Sustainable Mining
Janelle Kerr, Director, Minerals Geoscience
Dr Elin Jennings, Research Fellow
Professor Deanna Kemp, Director
Angelica Andrade, PhD candidate
Dr Olivia Mejías González, Group Leader, MiWATCH
Dr Nicolene Roux, Senior Project Engineer
Dr Loren Nicholls, Principal, Technology Integration & Deployment
Brenton Atkins, Principal Processing Technology
John Plunkett, Head of Tailings and Water
Phil Newman, Vice President Innovation
Leigh Staines, Industry Advisor
The University of Queensland (UQ)
ICMM
Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI)
ICMM
Centre for Environmental Responsibility in Mining, SMI, UQ
Bioculum
WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre, SMI, UQ
Global Centre of Mineral Security, SMI, UQ
Anglo American, Latin America
Global Centre of Mineral Security, SMI, UQ
Rio Tinto
Arcelor Mittal
Geological Survey of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development
Global Centre of Mineral Security, SMI, UQ
Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, SMI, UQ
Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, SMI, UQ
WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre, SMI, UQ
Fraser Alexander
Regeneration
South 32
MMG Limited
Anglo American
Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer Program, UQ
Additional speakers and panel members will be announced in the coming weeks