Our people
Metabolomics Australia is supported by a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team with expertise in experimental design, analytical chemistry, data analysis, bioinformatics, and biological interpretation. The platform is guided by a Steering Committee for strategic leadership and a User Committee providing feedback and guidance from our diverse research community.
Meet the team
Every project at Metabolomics Australia is supported by a dedicated team of specialist chemists and bioinformaticians, providing integrated expertise in experimental design, analytical chemistry, data analysis, and biological interpretation.
With deep experience across diverse sample types—including urine, plasma, plant, insect, and animal materials—we work collaboratively throughout each project to deliver high‑quality, consistent, and expert-driven outcomes.
Platform staff
Our specialised academic and technical expertise provide consultation and assist researchers and clients with their analytical enquiries.
David de Souza
David is Facility Manager for Metabolomics Australia at the University of Melbourne. With 20+ years of experience in metabolomics, mass spectrometry and method development, he leads facility operations and supports researchers across academic, clinical and industry sectors.
linkedin.com/in/david-de-souza-26b410/ +61383442487Ms Kirsty Turner
Kirsty Turner is Business Manager for Research Infrastructure at the University of Melbourne. Her expertise spans research operations, compliance, and research administration. With over 20 years’ experience, she leads strategic business operations and supports the sustainability, governance, and growth of research infrastructure.
linkedin.com/in/kirsty-turner-5b1a365/Dr Siria Natera
Dr Siria Natera is Bioinformatics Team Lead at Metabolomics Australia. Her expertise includes metabolomics, bioinformatics, and proteomics. With over 15 years of experience in omics technologies, she leads computational data analysis, quality systems, and collaborative research initiatives across sectors.
s.natera@unimelb.edu.auDr Vinod Narayana
Dr Vinod Narayana is Lipidomics and Spatial Metabolomics Team Lead at Metabolomics Australia. His expertise includes mass spectrometry, lipidomics, and spatial metabolomics. With over 15 years of experience, he leads advanced analytical workflows, technology platforms, and collaborative research projects.
linkedin.com/in/vinod-narayana-ab029717/Dr Brunda Nijagal
Dr Brunda Nijagal is LC-MS Team Lead at Metabolomics Australia. Her expertise includes metabolomics, LC-MS analysis, and research translation. With over 13 years of experience and a PhD in Pharmaceutics, she leads analytical platforms, training programs, and collaborative research across academia and industry.
linkedin.com/in/brunda-nijagal-a033a789Dr Nadeem Elahee Doomun
Dr Sheik Nadeem Elahee Doomun is GC-MS Team Lead at Metabolomics Australia. His expertise includes metabolomics, mass spectrometry, and metabolic flux analysis. With a PhD in analytical biochemistry, he leads GC-MS operations, develops analytical workflows, and supports multidisciplinary research projects.
linkedin.com/in/sheik-nadeem-elaheedoomun/Dr Andrew Isaac
Dr Andrew Isaac is Research Specialist (Bioinformatics) at Metabolomics Australia. His expertise includes bioinformatics, machine learning, and high-performance computing. With a PhD in Machine Learning and extensive research computing experience, he develops bioinformatics tools, workflows, and data capabilities for researchers.
aisaac@unimelb.edu.auDr Janik Seidel
Dr Janik Seidel is Research Specialist (Bioinformatics) at Metabolomics Australia. His expertise includes bioinformatics, chemometrics and bioprocessing. With a PhD in Pharmaceutical Science and industry experience, he provides bioinformatics support by bridging analytical and data scientific domains.
janik.seidel@unimelb.edu.auMr Wesley Vermaelen
Wesley Vermaelen is Research Specialist (Analytical) at Metabolomics Australia. His expertise includes mass spectrometry, metabolomics, and lipidomics. With 15 years of experience, he maintains analytical workflows, enhances laboratory efficiency, and supports researchers across biomedical and agricultural projects.
linkedin.com/in/wesley-vermaelen-27a37646
Ms Ella Bocquet-Gaylard
Ella Bocquet-Gaylard is Research Specialist (Analytical) at Metabolomics Australia. Her expertise includes metabolomics, bioprocessing, and synthetic biology. With a background in biochemistry and molecular biology and experience in the biotech sector, she supports LC-MS services and research initiatives.
linkedin.com/in/ella-bocquet-gaylard-b3a76a267Mr Jordi Hondrogiannis
Jordi Hondrogiannis is Technical Assistant at Metabolomics Australia. His expertise includes mass spectrometry, sample preparation, and laboratory operations. With seven years of laboratory experience, he supports GC-MS and LC-MS platforms, develops automated workflows, and provides analytical support for research projects.
linkedin.com/in/jordi-hondrogiannisMs Pat Quiambao
Patricia Quiambao is Technical Assistant at Metabolomics Australia. Her expertise includes LC-MS operations, sample preparation, and data analysis. With a background in clinical laboratory science, she supports sample extraction, instrument maintenance, analytical workflows, and researcher services.
Miss Maya Cameron
Maya Cameron is Technical Assistant at Metabolomics Australia. Her expertise includes lipidomics, analytical chemistry, and mass spectrometry. With a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry, she supports analytical workflows, client projects, and data interpretation across biomedical, ecological, and agricultural research.
linkedin.com/in/maya-cameronSpecialist Projects
Australian Human Gut Metabolome Framework Initiative
Dr Michael Cowled
Michael specialises in untargeted metabolomics and applies his background in natural product chemistry to unravel the complexity of the human gut microbiome. He leads the Human Gut Metabolome Framework Initiative, driving the development of a national database of gut metabolites. His work uses advanced computational approaches to analyse large‑scale datasets, with the goal of providing researchers with tools to link gut metabolites to key aspects of health, including immune function.
linkedin.com/in/michael-cowled-a34049104/Dr Siyao Liu
Dr Siyao Liu is Research Fellow (Analytical) with the Australian Human Gut Metabolome Framework Initiative. Her expertise includes mass spectrometry, analytical chemistry, and cheminformatics. With a PhD in Food Chemistry, she supports metabolite discovery and characterisation within human gut microbiome research.
www.linkedin.com/in/siyao-liu-63585b192Mr Ben Harris
Ben Harris is Research Assistant with the Australian Human Gut Metabolome Framework Initiative. His expertise includes analytical chemistry, metabolomics, and data interpretation. With over four years of technical experience, he supports targeted and untargeted workflows for metabolite identification and microbiome research.
www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-a-harris/Specialist Projects
Px4 Health Initiative (Px4 Multi-Omics Platform)
Mr Christopher Bowen
Chris Bowen is Research Specialist (Clinical Multi-Omics) with the Px4 Health Initiative. His expertise includes mass spectrometry, metabolomics, and lipidomics. With more than 20 years of industry and research experience, he supports multi-omics platforms, technology implementation, and researcher training.
linkedin.com/in/chris-bowen-578085b4Dr Subash Adhikari
Dr Subash Adhikari is Research Specialist (Clinical Multi-Omics) with the Px4 Health Initiative. His expertise includes multi-omics, mass spectrometry, and research infrastructure operations. He oversees the Px4 Multi-Omics platform and supports high-throughput analytical workflows and collaborative research programs.
linkedin.com/in/adhikarisubash/Platform Governance
Metabolomics Australia Steering Committee
- Professor Michael Parker (Chair)
- Director, Bio21 Institute
- Faculty of Science
- Professor Malcolm McConville
- Academic Champion, Metabolomics Australia
- Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology
- Faculty of MDHS
- Associate Professor David Stroud
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology
- Faculty of MDHS
- Professor Phillip Batterham
- Professor Emeritus, School of BioSciences
- Faculty of Science
- Associate Professor Kristin Brown (Chair of User Committee)
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Principle Research Fellow, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology
- Faculty of MDHS
- David De Souza
- Platform Manager, Metabolomics Australia
- Faculty of Science
- Kirsty Turner
- Business Manager, Metabolomics Australia
- Faculty of Science
Metabolomics Australia User Committee
- Associate Professor Kristin Brown (Chair)
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Principle Research Fellow, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology
- Faculty of MDHS
- Associate Professor Andrew Fleetwood
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
- Honorary, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology
- Faculty of MDHS
- Wing Chan
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology
- Faculty of MDHS
- Dr Yilin Kang
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology
- Faculty of MDHS
- Dr Siria Natera
- Bioinformatics Lead, Metabolomics Australia
- Faculty of Science
- David De Souza
- Platform Manager, Metabolomics Australia
- Faculty of Science
- Kirsty Turner
- Business Manager, Metabolomics Australia
- Faculty of Science
- Student Representative – currently vacant