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Tim is a graduate of the ANU, completing his BSc(Hons) in Physical Chemistry in 1989 at the Research School of Chemistry, and subsequently his PhD in Atomic Force Microscopy in 1993 in the Research School of Physics and Engineering.

He held positions at the College de France (Paris), Institute Charles Sadron (Strasbourg), and UNSW (ADFA) before returning to ANU's Department of Applied Mathematics in Research School of Physics and Engineering in 1997. He served as Head of the Department and as Deputy Director (Technology Development). He is the current Director of the Research School of Physics.

Tim uses his background in experimental surface science to teach undergraduate chemistry and to investigate surface phenomena at the nanometre scale covering topics including the stretching of single polymer chains, mechanical deformations in biological membranes, ceramics processing and measuring forces on nanoparticles.

Over the past two decades he has branched into X-ray micro-Tomography studying porous and granular materials, oil recovery, wood composites, paper and one of his life passions, Palaeontology. He has also been involved in developing novel uses of radioactive nano-particles to aid medical diagnosis. Over the past decade he has had the opportunity to commercially develop some of his research activities, including a spin-off Lithicon, a Global services company in digital rock analysis.  He is an active advocate for translational research and supports a growing spin-out culture in Physics.

Tim serves the broader ANU community through chairing the Kioloa Advisory Board, and sitting on the Centre for Advanced Microscopy Management Committee, Collections Advisory Group, Academic Board and the National Youth Science Forum. Tim actively promotes cross-campus collaboration having substantial engagement with four Colleges.