Our People
The CUSP team brings together a diverse mix of people, expertise, and disciplines. As a truly multidisciplinary group, we are united by a shared commitment to advancing sustainability policy and driving meaningful climate action.
Deputy Director
Associate Professor Jayne Bryant’s career in teaching, research and practice has focused on building the sustainability leadership capability of those around her. Originally a singer-songwriter, she has more recently used her creativity in change making roles in government, academia and consultancy. She is currently Deputy Director of Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute (CUSP), and prior to that as Climate Action Program Lead for the West Australian based Planning and Transport Research Centre (PATREC). Jayne has spent close to a decade living, working, teaching and researching in Sweden and is keen to share this unique experience in strategic sustainability, transformational leadership and a systems approach to creating change for more just and sustainable futures.
Aimeee Smith
Aimee leads the delivery of the Leadership in Sustainability Unit as part of the Masters in Environment and Climate Emergency; is Communications Manager for the RACEfor2030 Pathways to Net Zero Precincts 3-year research project; and is the Planet Positive Learning Community Coordinator.
Atiq Zaman
Dr Atiq Zaman is an Associate Professor at the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, School of Design and the Built Environment, Western Australia, specialising in circular economy and zero waste practices.
Charlie Hargroves
Karlson ’Charlie’ Hargroves is a dedicated researcher focused on making a contribution to the world’s sustainability transition with a focus on the nexus of sustainable energy and transport. A Senior Research Fellow at CUSP, Charlie is also an Expert Advisor to the United Nations Centre for Regional Development, Environmentally Sustainable Transport Forum.
Dean Economou
Dean specialises in digital disruption and transport futures, leading Net Zero and trackless tram projects at Curtin University. He has co-founded multiple tech ventures and held senior roles at CSIRO, National ICT Australia, and Telstra as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Transport Strategist
Dora Mainova
Professor Dora Mainova is a leading sustainability scholar at Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy Institute, where she previously served as Director. She has published over 400 papers, supervised 85 PhD completions, and co-authored the award-winning book Food in a Planetary Emergency. Recognised among the top sustainability researchers globally, she is a Fellow of MSSANZ, an elected member of AIATSIS, and a regular NHMRC peer review panellist.
Giles Thomson
Dr Giles Thomson is currently a senior lecturer at the Curtin University Sustainability Policy institute. His research interests include comparative urban design, scenario planning, integrated land use and transport planning, and urban sustainability transitions.
Lio Hebert
Lio is an energy systems specialist focused on decarbonisation, electrification, and the integration of renewables and storage into complex operations and microgrids. Working across consulting and applied research, he provides analysis, modelling, and evidence-based strategies to support cost-effective carbon reduction and operational optimisation across transport, mining, heavy industry, and construction.
Nasrin Aghmohammadi
Associate Professor Nasrin Aghamohammadi is an environmental engineer specialising in sustainable cities, urban overheating, and pathways to net-zero precincts. She manages the RACE for 2030 CRC Pathways to Net Zero Precincts project and holds an Adjunct Professorship at the University of Malaya. An experienced international lecturer and researcher, she has led major programs on urban heat mitigation and serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of e-Prime – Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy.
Peter Newman
John Curtin Distinguished Professor Peter Newman is a globally recognised expert on sustainable cities, with 25 books and over 420 papers to his name. A part-time Professor at CUSP, he has advised all levels of government in Australia, contributed to the UN’s IPCC as a Lead Author, and was awarded an Order of Australia for his work on urban design and transport. His latest book, Net Zero Cities with Sustainability (2025), continues his influential contributions to the field.
Roberto Minunno
Dr Roberto earned his PhD at Curtin University on the circular economy of prefabricated buildings and now focuses on sustainability research, teaching, and industry collaboration. He coordinated Curtin’s Master’s in Environment and Climate Emergency, mentoring over 40 students, and created the award-winning Legacy Living Lab, a modular facility showcasing circular economy innovation. His work has been recognised with multiple awards, and he currently co-directs a project on mapping Western Australia’s circular economy.
Diana Bogueva
Dr Diana Bogueva is a social scientist specialising in sustainable food consumption, generational behaviour, alternative proteins, and innovative consumer-driven food solutions. She has authored or edited eight books and over 70 articles, earning international recognition including Gourmand Awards and a PROSE Award finalist. A Research Fellow at Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy Institute, she also serves as President of the Global Harmonization Initiative, leading global efforts on food sustainability and consumer perception.
Steve Harris
Steve is an innovative researcher and sustainability leader, with over 25 years’ experience, leading projects across sustainability and assessment, life cycle assessment/costing, circular economy, sustainable cities, and industrial symbiosis.
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