Falling Walls Lab

A world-class, interdisciplinary pitch competition for students and early-career professionals to present their breakthrough ideas.
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Three minutes is all it takes!

Falling Walls Lab is a world-class pitch competition and networking forum that brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary pool of students and early-career professionals by providing a stage for breakthrough ideas both globally and locally. 

Thank you for joining us at the Perth Falling Walls Lab. This event was hosted by Curtin University in partnership with the Forrest Research Foundation.

Watch the event recording

Perth Lab Winners

1st Place: Jacob Martin (Curtin University), Breaking the Wall of Green Graphite

2nd Place: Jonathan Richetti (CSIRO), Breaking the Wall of the Grains Industry

3rd Place (tied): Kelly Martinovich (Murdoch University), Breaking the Wall of Genetic High Cholesterol

Benjamin Camer-Pesci (Murdoch University), Breaking the Wall of Agricultural Wastewater

2024 Jury

Professor Peta Ashworth OAM

Professor Peta Ashworth OAM

Professor James Arvanitakis

Professor James Arvanitakis

Danelle Cross

Danelle Cross

Tim Milsom

Tim Milsom

Dr Johann Rinnhofer

Dr Johann Rinnhofer

Professor Tarun Weeramanthri

Professor Tarun Weeramanthri

More information

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Contact the Research Engagement and Impact (EI) team if you have any questions.

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Professor Peta Ashworth OAM

Professor Peta Ashworth is a renowned expert in energy, communication, stakeholder engagement, and technology assessment. She has researched public attitudes towards climate and energy technologies, including wind, carbon capture and storage (CCS), solar photovoltaic, storage, geothermal and hydrogen, for almost two decades. An accomplished speaker and educator, she actively promotes energy literacy globally and contributes to policy briefings and educational events.

Professor James Arvanitakis

Professor James Arvanitakis is the new Director of the Forrest Research Foundation. He moved to Perth, Western Australia to take up the position and was formerly the Pro Vice Chancellor (Engagement and Advancement) at Western Sydney University, Principal Consultant at the Astrolabe Group, and Executive Director of Fulbright Australia. After a successful career in finance and human rights, he has worked with universities for more than 15 years establishing innovative education and research programs including The Academy at Western (awarded the Australian Financial Review Excellence in Education Award).

Professor Tarun Weeramanthri

Tarun Weeramanthri is President of the Public Health Association of Australia, a board member of PathWest and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and an adjunct professor in the School of Population and Global Health at the University of Western Australia.

He is a trained specialist in internal medicine and public health, and has a PhD in social medicine. He was Chief Health Officer in Western Australia from 2008 to 2018, and previously in the Northern Territory from 2004 to 2007.

In 2014, he was awarded the Sidney Sax Medal by the Public Health Association of Australia for his contribution to public health nationally, and in 2022 he was made a member of the Order of Australia for service to public health administration.

Dr Johann Rinnhofer

Dr Johann Rinnhofer is the CEO of thyssenkrupp nucera Australia, based in Perth, Western Australia, part of a globally leading group of companies in industrial scale green hydrogen technology.

His special interest lies in high temperature processes for metals and the use of hydrogen in “green steel” making, as well as in concepts for new circular economies.

Johann has more than 25 years of experience as a managing director in the plant engineering business related to the minerals & metallurgical industry, as well as in applied research.

Johann is an Honorary Professor at the University of Leoben in Austria in the field of environmental & energy process engineering.

Tim Milsom

Tim Milsom is the former CEO of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation and current Executive Officer of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Tim owns a number of successful businesses and has been awarded both local and International Awards in Innovation and Export, through his UK interests.