School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Executive

Professor Wenny Rahayu

Professor Wenny Rahayu is the Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. She is a Professor in Computer Science who specialises in database integration and big data management. Professor Rahayu has been a Chief Investigator on collaborative projects including Australian Research Council Linkage projects, the Australian Army, the Australian Academy of Science, and more recently CSIRO Next Generation graduate program. She has served as Lead assessor and international assessor of Smart Ideas projects, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour Fund since 2019. She has also participated in industry consulting and partnerships including projects funded through the Victorian Government Technology Innovation Program. Professor Rahayu has published three books and over 300 research papers.

Professor Luke Prendergast

Professor Luke Prendergast is Deputy Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, and Associate Dean, Domestic Partnerships. He is a statistician with research interests in robust statistics, meta-analysis and dimension reduction. Professor Prendergast collaborates with researchers across several disciplines, providing biostatistics expertise to many projects including in exercise for people with disability or injury, the effects of weight loss and childhood psychology. He has been a member of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s grant review panels and is a past President of the Victorian Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia.

Ms Renuka Eliezer

Ms Renuka Eliezer is Senior Manager in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, with 20 years’ experience in the tertiary sector. Prior to joining La Trobe University, she worked in a Commonwealth Government department. Ms Eliezer is an alumna of La Trobe University and Swinburne University. In her role as Senior Manager, she leads the professional administrative team. She is primary adviser to the Dean, and the School Executive in relation to University policies, operations and business processes.

Professor Eric Pardede

Professor Eric Pardede is is Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. He has extensive experience as Undergraduate and Honours Course Coordinator, Project Coordinator and Industry-based Coordinator in the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology. He has taught a range of information technology subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels,and recently engaged in the research of data-centric processes in business and education. Professor Pardede is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy UK (SFHEA), an Associate Fellow of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA - AF), a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (SMIEEE) and a Senior Member of the Association of Computing Machinery (SMACM) . He has published papers in database management and analytics, information systems and higher education practice.

Professor Marcel Jackson

Professor Marcel Jackson is Associate Dean, Research and Industry Engagement, and Director of Graduate Research in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. He is a mathematician, specialising in algebra and its interaction with theoretical computer science and logic. Professor Jackson was an Australian Research Council Future Fellow and lead Chief Investigator on two Australian Research Council Discovery Projects in these areas, one as an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow. He has over 20 years’ experience teaching at all levels of tertiary mathematics and is an experienced supervisor of graduate research students across a range of mathematical disciplines. Professor Jackson is Treasurer of the Australian Algebra Group, a member of the Australian Mathematical Society Nominations and Publications Committee and the ARC’s College of Experts, and has extensive editorial experience across both specialist and general mathematics journals.

Professor Naveen Chilamkurti

Professor Naveen Chilamkurti is the Head of the Cybersecurity discipline and Associate Dean (International Partnerships) at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. He also received the Australia-India Cybersecurity Infrastructure Grant, jointly funded by DFAT and the Indian government. He is a keynote speaker at various international conferences and has been recently elected as an IET (UK) fellow. He has an extensive research record in cybersecurity and has published 380 journals/conference articles in Cybersecurity, IoT, Anomaly detection in IoT, the Internet of Medical Things, Wireless Security, Federated Learning in IoT, wireless multimedia, wireless sensor networks, and Software Defined Networks. He is active in editing and authoring 9 books with Elsevier, Springer, IGI-Global and NOVA publishers. Prof. Chilamkurti secured 24 competitive grants from various sources, including SMART SAT CRC, Data61/CSIRO, Defence Science Institute, Australian Academy of Science, and OPTUS telecommunications.

Professor Hossam Aboel Naga

Professor Hossam Aboel Naga is Head of the Department of Engineering in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. Prior to joining La Trobe, he was Senior Lecturer and Leader of Geo-Engineering at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom; Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland, New Zealand; and Research Fellow at Monash University, Australia. He has over 30 years’ experience in geotechnical engineering, specialising in soil behaviour under coupled processes. Research applications include nuclear waste disposal technology, methane hydrate mining techniques, energy foundations, ground improvement and landfill lining systems. Professor Aboel Naga has authored over 100 publications in international refereed journals and conference proceedings. He has served as a panellist for the National Science Foundation (United States of America) and assessor for the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Australian Research Council. He also works with several international engineering journals as a guest editor and as a member of the editorial team.

Associate Professor Narelle Brack

Associate Professor Narelle Brack is Head of the Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. She is a physicist whose research focuses on creating, understanding and controlling materials surface and interfacial properties at the nanometer scale. She has a strong focus on surface science, in particular, the application of specialised spectroscopy methods to investigate and understand the chemical and molecular properties that influence surface and interface phenomena. With over 20 years of experience in teaching all levels of tertiary physics, she is a dedicated educator and passionate about providing a supportive environment for our undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Associate Professor Prakash Veeraraghavan

Associate Professor Prakash Veeraraghavan is the dynamic and result-oriented Head of the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology within the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. With a stellar track record in course coordination, Associate Professor Veeraraghavan has been pivotal in launching and leading innovative Cisco Programs at La Trobe University. As a certified Cisco instructor and the academy lead, he brings real-world industry expertise straight to the classroom. He is renowned for delivering engaging courses in networking and network security at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and is driven by a passion for developing cutting-edge, industry-relevant IT curricula and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences. Adept at leveraging emerging technologies to drive research advancements and cultivate a forward-thinking learning environment. Recognised for fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and inclusivity within the department.