Professor Robin Batterham joined the Melbourne School of Engineering as Kernot Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in 2010. He has wide interests including reducing emissions through soil sequestration, application of mesoscience to mining, dewatering of tailings and elimination of tailings through in place leaching. He is past President of the Academy of Technology and Engineering (2007-2012), former Chief Scientist of Australia (1999-2005) and for over 20 years Global Head of Innovation (and other positions) in Rio Tinto. He has twice chaired the International Mineral Processing Congress, Chairs the selection panels for both the Australia India Strategic Research Fund and the Australia China Strategic Research Fund and chaired the International Energy Agency Expert Group on Science for Energy.

BSc degree in Physics from the University of Melbourne in 1967 and subsequently a PhD degree from the same University in 1972 for development of a new electron microscope system and its use in electron diffraction studies of the structure of barium titanate. Joined the CSIRO Division of Mineral Physics in November 1971 to work on the application of nuclear techniques to the on-stream analysis of iron ore and subsequently other mineral commodities, including coal. Over the last twenty years has been involved in mineral processing research, particularly iron ore processing. Currently Chief Research Scientist with CSIRO Mineral Resources, focussing primarily on ore characterisation, comminution, beneficiation, agglomeration, process instrumentation and quality control. Currently an Honorary Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), an AusIMM Chartered Professional in Metallurgy, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics, President of the International Mineral Processing Council, and President of the International Pierre Gy Sampling Association.