The successful projects span health, business and engineering.
UNSW has secured five projects under the National Industry PhD Program (NIPHD). The federal government scheme aims to facilitate industry-focused PhD projects to promote better translation of university research into commercialisation outcomes.
These five successful projects showcase UNSW’s leadership in industry-driven research, tackling real-world challenges across sport, finance, mining and health.
UNSW’s 2025 NIPhD awardees
Enhancing Athlete Performance and Wellbeing
Dr Nattai Borges (supervisor), Tea Maros and Harry Harcourt (PhD candidates), UNSW Medicine & Health, School of Health Sciences
Through two projects partnering with the Sydney Swans, UNSW is developing cutting-edge sport science databases to support both male and female professional athletes – advancing performance, health and longevity in Australian Rules football.
Boosting Transparency in Managed Accounts
Professor Jerry Parwada, UNSW Business School, School of Banking & Finance
With Adviser Ratings, UNSW is creating AI tools to standardise investment data and validate outcomes, empowering investors with clearer, more reliable financial insights. Prof. Parwada is actively recruiting for this project.
Predicting and Preventing Acid Rock Drainage
Scientia Professor David Waite (supervisor), Devon Hamley (PhD candidate), UNSW Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
In collaboration with Environmental Geochemistry International, UNSW is improving environmental management in critical metal mining through advanced prediction methods.
Supporting Healthy Ageing Through Nutrition
Associate Professor Sara Grafenauer (supervisor), Chris Cashman (PhD candidate), UNSW Medicine & Health, School of Health Sciences
UNSW and the Australian Health & Nutrition Association are exploring the health and nutrition needs of mid-life and older Australians to guide food innovation and promote wellbeing.
Connecting industry and academia
The National Industry PhD Program bridges academia and industry within the Higher Degree by Research (HDR) sector. It unlocks exciting new pathways for professionals seeking to pivot into research, while also providing top-up funding for PhD projects with strong industry collaboration.
Nutritionist Chris Cashman is the Breakthrough Innovation, Nutrition & Regulatory Manager at Sanitarium. He said he’s excited to be working on the Supporting Healthy Ageing Through Nutrition project for his PhD.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to participate in the National Industry PhD program. It provides a unique pathway to develop my research skills and the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the available evidence on the health and nutrition needs of mid-life and older Australians, an area of significance for public health,” he said.
Since 2023, UNSW has secured 15 prestigious projects through the National Industry PhD Program, cementing our role as a leader in industry-engaged research excellence.
The Industry HDR team at the Graduate Research School is always keen to talk with staff about establishing new opportunities for externally engaged HDR projects. Get in touch.
Find out more about how industry partnerships can transform research and career pathways at the HDR Industry Showcase in November.
Image: PhD candidate Tea Maros, who is working on the "Enhancing Athlete Performance and Wellbeing" project.
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