Dr Sruthy Balakrishnan

Sruthy joined Microanalysis after completing a PhD in Physics from Curtin University, WA. Her PhD focusses on synthesis and characterisation of hydrogen rich materials (thermal batteries) for renewable energy storage. She has gained experienced in the instrumental techniques such as XRDX-ray Diffraction, insitu-XRD, SEM-EDS, FTIR, DSC/TGA, TPD-MS etc. She has been working as a Physics lecturer in the academia for the last 10 years. Sruthy has a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Physics and completed a BEd in Physical Sciences.

Sonja McFarlane

Sonja has a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry), a Master of Environmental Management and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Beginning her career as an industrial chemist, she developed an interest in ‘all things quality’ and has continued to pursue this passion. She has worked across several industries including inks and coatings, petroleum and industrial chemicals, fats and oils, inspection of bulk liquids and dry cargo and more recently with laboratories conducting chemical, biological, mechanical and construction materials testing. Having completed formal auditor training with SAI Global, NATA and ANAB (USA), Sonja has experience auditing to ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 and holds Exemplar Global Lead Auditor Certification in Quality Management Systems. She has also completed auditor training to ISO 14001. After implementing and maintaining quality systems in laboratories for 17 years, Sonja joined the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) in 2009 working as a Senior Scientific Officer conducting accreditation activities in the field of Construction Materials Testing (CMT). During 2013 she worked as the Quality Systems Manager for Cardno Geotech prior to establishing SIMPLY QUALITY Pty Ltd in January 2014. Sonja has been working with Microanalysis for many years as external consultant and recently joined the team as our Quality Manager in 2022 and continue to support our commitment to exceptional scientific integrity and the quality of our results.

Dr Adriana Pires Vieira

Dr Adriana Pires Vieira has been working within Academia for the last decade as a Research Fellow in material science for medical applications at University of Sao Paulo then The University of Sydney, where she used a variety of instrumental techniques such as SEM, XRD, GC-MS, FTIR and many more. For the last few years, she has been working as a Research Fellow in Materials Science at Curtin University, synthesizing and analysing compounds for renewable energy applications. Adriana studied her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Federal University of Maranhao, followed by her Masters of Analytical Chemistry. Her PhD in Science focuses on Inorganic Chemistry at University of Campinas was on the synthesis and characterization of biopolymers/materials for medical and environmental applications.

Dr Robert Madden

Robert is a geologist with experience across both field and exploration geology, petrology and sedimentology.  He holds a bachelors (with honours) and masters degree in Geoscience from the University of Durham (UK) and a PhD in Applied Geology (carbonate petrology) from Curtin University. A former senior lecturer of geology Robert has authored multiple peer-reviewed papers in the field of carbonate petrology and has taught across a wide range of geological disciplines. Robert has also worked as a project geologist for a base metals explorer, co-ordinating explorative drilling programs, leading field teams, conducting field analysis and reporting results within a commercial setting. With a global portfolio of field work locations Robert is well versed in fundamental geology and petrology. Since joining Microanalysis has returned to focusing on his specialty of petrographic analysis including industrial materials (e.g. aggregates and concrete), sedimentary rocks and ore deposits. Roberts holds accreditation as a Fellow of the Geological Society of London and Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.

Ben Rainer

Ben worked in a mineral sands processing lab for 9 years after completing his diploma in laboratory science. Working his way up to laboratory supervisor. He has extensive knowledge of X-Ray Fluorescence(XRF) analysis and quality systems as well as physical and wet chemistry testing techniques related to the industry.

  • NATA
  • Australian Institute of Petroleum
  • Australian X-Ray Analytical Association
  • Royal Australian Chemical Institute
  • Telstra Business Awards
  • Scientific Partners Australia