A/Prof. Paul Stoddart   Associate Professor

Paul joined Swinburne University of Technology in 2001 and is currently an Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Swinburne. His current research interests include applied optics and biophotonics, with projects in the areas of fibre optic sensors, Raman spectroscopy and laser nerve stimulation. Biomedical Engineering provides many opportunities to apply optical and photonics principles, because biological systems respond well to a “light touch”. The advantages of non-contact interactions in biomedical applications are illustrated by our focus on laser nerve stimulation for bionic implants and optical biosensors. The research is mainly coordinated within the Applied Optics Group, which is associated with two leading Research Centres at Swinburne, namely the Centre for Atom Optics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy (CAOUS) and the Industrial Research Institute Swinburne (IRIS). Paul Stoddart graduated with BSc (Honours) in physics and PhD in laser spectroscopy from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. He worked on industry-focused surface science and microanalysis problems in a national lab for three years before moving to Swinburne.

Awards

• Young Tall Poppy 2007 (awarded by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science)
• Victoria Fellowship 2006 (awarded by the Victorian State Government)
• FEAST/France Fellowship 2006 (Australian French Association for Science and Technology)

Recent Grants

• P.R. Stoddart, R.K. Shepherd, J.B. Fallon, N.L. James, “Combined optical and electrical stimulation of auditory neurons,” ARC Linkage LP120100264 (2012-14) $410,000.
• S. Sriram, P.R. Stoddart, T.S. Perova, “Dynamic substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering: piezoelectric actuated nanotextures with phase-locked signal processing,” ARC Discovery DP110100262 (2011-13) $300,000.
• L.Y. Yeo, P.R. Stoddart, H.C. Chang, “Opto-Microfluidics: A Rapid and Sensitive Platform for Biological Diagnostics,” ARC Discovery DP1092955 (2010-12) $290,000.
• S. Juodkazis, P.R. Stoddart, S.L. McArthur, “Ripple sensor for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy,” Agilent Foundation (2011-12) $40,000.
• P.R. Stoddart, C.A. Davis,“Ultra-Long Bragg Gratings,” Defence Science and Technology Organization (2011-13) $75,000.
• A. Trueman, G. McAdam, S.A. Wade, P.R. Stoddart, G. George, J. Colwell, “Distributed fibre optic paint degradation sensor,” Defence Materials Technology Centre (2011-13) $160,000.
• S.A. Wade, S.L. McArthur, P.R. Stoddart, “Corrosivity of Australian naval bases,” Defence Materials Technology Centre (2011-12) $180,000.

Publication Listing

See Swinburne Research Bank for an up-to-date listing:

Refer to the Swinburne Research Bank for an up-to-date list of further publications

Supervision of higher degree by research (HDR) (Current students)

Name	Degree	Research Centre	Start year	Role	Institution
Elena Sinchenko	PhD	CAOUS	2006	Associate Supervisor	Swinburne
Akanaxa Shah	MSc	CAOUS	2009	Primary Supervisor	Swinburne
Chiara Paviolo	PhD	IRIS	2010	Co-Supervisor	Swinburne
Remya Valavanal Mathew	PhD	IRIS	2010	Co-Supervisor	Swinburne
Alexander Thompson	PhD	IRIS/CAOUS 50/50	2010	Primary Supervisor	Swinburne
Mya Myintzu Hlaing	PhD	IRIS	2011	Associate Supervisor	Swinburne
William Brown	PhD	IRIS/CAOUS 50/50	2011	Primary Supervisor	Swinburne
Muhammad Awais Javed
	PhD	IRIS	2011	Primary Supervisor	Swinburne
Jennifer Hartley
	PhD	CAOUS	2012	Primary Supervisor	Swinburne

Previously Supervised higher degree by research (HDR) students

Name	Degree	Research Centre	Status	Role	Institution
Sasani Jayawardhana	PhD	CAOUS	Completed	Associate Supervisor	Swinburne

Topics for Prospective Ph.D Students - View ALL topics for A/Prof. Paul Stoddart

Development of an optical fibre sensing system for detection and monitoring of localised strain concentrations on Defence platforms
The project will involve the development and validation of a low-cost self-diagnostic fibre-optic sensing system which can detect regions of localised strain concentration

Mechanical Modeling of Cochlear Implants
This project aims to develop an "Optical Fibre Touch Sensor" that will guide the surgeon when inserting the cochlear implant into the human ear.

Fibre-optic measurements of turbulence in the air and water
The air-sea interaction, which produces waves on the sea surface and drives weather and climate, is important across a great variety of practical and scientific applications.
A single fibre-optic sensor could be used in all the three environments, (in the air, in the water, and on the surface.


In situ monitoring of plasma polymerisation
The focus of this project will be on developing novel techniques for chemically characterising the deposit as it forms. This may be achieved using a range of approaches, including IR and Raman spectroscopies.

Dip Pen Nanolithography (DPN) for Patterning Plasma Polymer Arrays
Plasma polymers are thin film coatings that can be applied to a variety of substrates to produce a wide range of chemical functionalities. We aim to explore the use of plasma polymers as substrates for a variety of different inks from polymer and biomolecules (proteins, lipids, sugars). By combining photolithography and DPN, we aim to develop new methods for multi-scale patterning of surfaces for biotechnology applications including cell culture, bioarrays and sensors.

Mechanical Modeling of Cochlear Implants
This project aims to develop an "Optical Fibre Touch Sensor" that will guide the surgeon when inserting the cochlear implant into the human ear.

Biomimetic coating to enhance corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys
The present project is aimed at developing a biomimetic coating on magnesium alloys to enhance their corrosion resistance.