The recent appointment of Dr Janine Lay at CQU’s Process Engineering and Light Metals (PELM) centre in Gladstone is a sign of the continued growth and development of the research facility.

Dr Lay brings with her a strong background in both industrial and university sectors.

After completing a PhD in Physical Chemistry at Melbourne University, Dr Lay joined Comalco\'s research facility in Melbourne and worked with the Weipa mine, Boyne Smelters Limited, Queensland Alumina Limited, Bell Bay Smelter, Eurallumina, and on feasibility work for the new alumina refinery at the Alcan test facility in Quebec.

She moved to Minenco as Manager Staff Development and then to RMIT University where she managed the University Research Office and developed a Research Partnerships group to interact with local and international research partners.

Prior to moving to Gladstone, Janine was employed with Rio Tinto managing its chemical-based external research partnerships with universities, Cooperative Research Centres and CSIRO in Australia.

In her new role as Manager Research and Development at CQU Gladstone’s PELM centre, Dr Lay said she intends to use her knowledge and experience to take research at the centre to the next level.

“The foundation work at PELM is now complete. Since its opening, the focus has been on developing the centre by attracting the right researchers and the necessary equipment and technology. The time is now right to begin the next phase which will see a move towards more collaborative research projects with local industry and the government,\" Dr Lay said.

“By working collaboratively with industry, we can combine our research expertise with their operations expertise to work towards solving key production issues in new ways. Much of this work can be leveraged with government funding, to deliver even more value to the region,” said Dr Lay.

Acting Director of PELM, Professor Richard Clegg (pictured with Dr Lay), said the Centre was delighted with the appointment and the opportunity to expand on collaborative research opportunities.

“We have three key areas of research at PELM; industrial materials science, fluid processing and advanced sensing, and there is a great deal of potential for collaborative research within these areas,\" Professor Clegg said.

“Dr Lay’s experience and knowledge will bring a fresh eye to PELM and the Gladstone region, ensuring we will all benefit from new research opportunities\".

Dr Lay moved to Gladstone in June with her husband and two children.