The Team
Who We Are
Rob Loughan
Chairman & Co Founder
Robert Michael Loughan is a prominent American entrepreneur and investor, widely recognised for his role as a co-founder of Octane Software, which was sold for a staggering 3.2 billion dollars in 2001. Loughan has since been involved in various successful ventures, including the establishment of Sagus Capital Partners and Dexterra Inc. Additionally, he is the co-owner of the acclaimed Thistle Hill Winery in Mudgee, NSW Australia and Baldface Lodge in British Columbia. Notably, Loughan has ventured into the realm of technology with the founding of Loughan Technology Group and Incroud, a platform for musicians to engage with fans. One of his groundbreaking projects is Flawless Photonics, a pioneering endeavour in the space industry that is producing transparent optical fibers in outer space. This advancement marks a significant milestone in supply chain technology. Furthermore, Loughan's app, Ferret, utilises AI to provide comprehensive information on potential business partners and associates. With his diverse portfolio and innovative contributions to technology and space manufacturing, Loughan continues to make a significant impact in the business world.
Professor
Nigel Spooner
CSO
Professor Nigel Spooner, a DPhil recipient in Physics from Oxford in 1993, founded the Luminescence Dating Laboratory at the Australian National University in Australia. His research focused on environmental dosimetry using luminescence induced by ionising radiation. This included studying thermoluminescence and optically-stimulated luminescence for dosimetry, developing Luminescence Dating protocols, and creating apparatus for environmental dosimetry research in collaboration with Littlemore Scientific Engineering in the UK. The LDL's work on Optical Dating led to breakthroughs in geomorphology, soil science, archaeology, and palaeontology, resulting in publications in prestigious journals. Nigel later established the Prescott Environmental Luminescence Laboratory at DST Group in 2002, which became part of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing. The PELL houses cutting-edge instruments for luminescence analysis and radiation exposure detection, including a sensitive TL spectrometer and radiogenic luminescence imaging technology. Activities at the lab include retrospective dosimetry, radiation detection technology development, TL research, and environmental radioisotope measurement. The PELL's contributions to the field of luminescence dating and environmental dosimetry have been significant, advancing our understanding of past environments and events.
Piers Lincoln
Co Founder
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Piers has been Institute Manager of the Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing (IPAS) at the University of Adelaide since July 2009. He leads the commercialisation activity of the Institute and works with the scientific teams to help them develop their products, identify industrial partners and funding streams.
Erik Schartner
Chief Investigator
Erik, a graduate of the University of Adelaide, completed his BSc (Hons) in 2007 and went on to obtain his PhD under the supervision of Prof Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem and Prof Tanya Monro from 2008-2011. His research focused on hydrogen peroxide sensing with microstructured optical fibres, encompassing applications in fuel, wine, and infant care. Subsequently, Erik has delved into various industrial, medical, and biological sensing projects centered around the interactions of light with the environment, with a keen interest in optical fibre fabrication and sensing, fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and optical system design for field and industrial applications. Currently, Erik is engaged in a project with Flawless Photonics to develop an optical sensor for Asbestos detection, supported by The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency and the Australian Government Business Research and Innovation Initiative. His innovative work in this area showcases his expertise in the field of optical sensing technology.
Helena
Wescombe-down
Project Manager
Helena is currently the project manager for the Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing at University of Adelaide. ​
An accomplished well qualified professional with a varied career background. Developed expertise in customer service, continuous improvement, project & event management, and business management.