Australian hydrogen research, development and deployment company, Star Scientific, has appointed Dr Ashkan Vatani to the role of principal engineer.
Vatani’s appointment follows a reorganisation of Star Scientific’s key staff, which saw Jim Murray promoted to the head of Mass Production, Steve Heaton to global head of Research, Sam Kirk to principal investigator, Shayne De Courcy to global head of Infrastructure, and Matt Hingerty to deputy chairman, deputy CEO and head of Business Development.
The reorganisation will facilitate the move to commercialise services around the company’s HERO technology.
As part of his new role Vatani will lead the concept design, simulation works and all facets of project engineering in general, managing a team of engineers, designers, and workshop staff. A key part of his role will be supporting Steve Heaton in his work with regulators and Standards Australia on the regulatory framework for the use of hydrogen. He will also support Jim Murray as he develops Star Scientific’s mass production facility.
“I’m delighted to be joining Star Scientific at such an important point in the company’s evolution, and as the energy transition gathers significant pace,” Vatani said. “Star Scientific is a unique, innovative hydrogen company at the forefront of its sector, and well positioned to revolutionise the way we use hydrogen.”
Star Scientific global group chairman, Andrew Horvath, said, “I’m excited to welcome someone of Dr Vatani’s calibre as our new principal engineer and I know he will provide the leadership and rigour to enable us to deliver against one of our most important strategic priorities.”
Prior to joining Star Scientific, Vatani was project leader with CREATElab (Medical Devices R&D), where he developed a new ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) drainage cannula to minimise the risk of life-threatening thrombosis for patients. He has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Griffith University, with a focus on enhancing heat transfer using magnetic field and magnetic nanofluids.