TRI BOARD of directors

Emeritus Professor David Siddle, BA (Hons), PhD, FASSA

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

David Siddle obtained his PhD from the University of Queensland in 1971. As an academic psychologist, he worked in universities in England, Canada and Australia. After appointments at Macquarie University, University of Tasmania, and the University of Queensland, he was appointed as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney in 1997. He served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Queensland from 2001 to 2009 where he was responsible for the development and implementation of policy designed to enhance the university’s performance in research and research training.  He was Chair of the Humanities and Social Sciences Panel of the Australian Research Council in 1993 and 1994 and after retirement, served on the Australian Research Council’s Advisory Council. He has served as a Board member for many Cooperative Research Centres, was a Director of the Australian Synchrotron Company and from 2011 to 2014, served as a member of the Higher Education Standards Panel. Until 2017, he was Chair of Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners.

PROFESSOR Aidan Byrne

Provost and Senior Vice-President of The University of Queensland

Professor Aidan Byrne commenced as the Provost and Senior Vice-President of The University of Queensland on 4 October 2016.

Prior to this appointment Professor Byrne was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Research Council (2012-2016), a position in which he delivered increased knowledge and innovation through managing funding schemes, measuring research excellence and providing policy advice to Government.

Before that, he was Dean of Science and Director of the Australian National University (ANU) College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (2008-2012). He was also Head of the ANU Department of Physics (2003-2007).

Professor Byrne completed a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science (First Class Hons) in physics at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and has a PhD in nuclear physics from ANU. He was a National Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne (1985-1986) and a von Humboldt fellow at the University of Bonn, Germany (1986-1989). In 1991 Professor Byrne returned to ANU as a Research Fellow.

His research interests involve the use of gamma-rays as probes to determine the structure of heavy nuclei, and the examination of the atomic level structure of materials (especially semiconductors). He has published more than 200 papers.

In 2012 Professor Byrne was awarded the ANU Peter Baume Award for eminent achievement and merit of the highest order.

Professor Byrne is a member of the MBIE Science Board (New Zealand) and the National Research Foundational Scientific Advisory Board (Singapore). He is also a fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics.

He was previously a member of the National Science, Technology and Research Committee, Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC), Defence Intelligence Organisation Scientific Advisory Group (2007-2008), the ARCom Expert Advisory Group and a member of the Australian Academy of Science Committee for Physics (2005).

Dr Erin Rayment

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Erin is a leader in commercialisation, passionate about creating impact with research and is currently the Executive Director, Industry Engagement at the Queensland University of Technology.

Prior to joining QUT, Erin has led industry engagement and research development for several universities and has worked across Australia and the United Kingdom. She has a PhD in tissue engineering, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is a Registered Technology Transfer Professional and a Superstar of STEM.

Erin contributes to the commercialisation policy discussion through her role as Director of Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia and participation in several government working groups. She is currently Chair of QUT Bluebox, which manages a portfolio of 35+ early stage technology companies across multiple industry sectors, and is a Director of CelluAir.

Colleen jen

Deputy Director-General Clinical Planning and Service Strategy, Queensland Health 

Colleen Jen is an experienced executive and health professional with more than 38 years working in the health sector. Colleen is a Registered Nurse and has extensive experience in health service strategy and planning, as well as leading strategic policy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and infrastructure planning teams in Queensland Health. 

Colleen has recently been appointed as the Deputy Director-General Clinical Planning and Service Strategy. Clinical Planning and Service Strategy (CPSS) is a newly created division in Queensland Health responsible for delivering clinical service strategy and planning, workforce strategy and planning and leadership, mental health strategy and planning and precision medicine and research functions to improve health services available to the Queensland community, optimise health gains, reduce inequalities, and maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the health system. 

Previously Colleen has worked as a Principal for Deloitte Health Advisory, Executive Director, Health Service Strategy and Planning Metro North Hospital and Health Service and Senior Director, Health Service Planning Department of Health.

JIM WALKER AM

Jim Walker is a senior executive with significant corporate leadership and management experience, both nationally and globally. 

He has held senior executive positions with United Technologies, Rockwell Collins and Boeing, leading and building businesses across Australia and the Asia Pacific. He also has significant board and governance experience, both in Australia and Asia.

He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has director experience with listed company, joint venture, not-for-profit and advisory boards.