Professional Biography
I am a Cybersecurity Academic and Practitioner with over 25 years of extensive experience. My career has been built at the crossroads of technology, research, and business, spanning academic, government, and industry sectors. This journey has been marked by a strong track record of securing substantial funding and building high-performing, multidisciplinary teams.
Currently, I am a Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne where my research focuses on human-centric cybersecurity. Over the years, I’ve secured more than $3.5 million in research funding to advance work in next-generation authentication, cyber risk quantification, cybersecurity education, and national-level cybersecurity frameworks.
In addition to my academic role, I serve as the Managing Director at TNK.net.au, where I lead a dedicated team addressing human-centric cyber challenges. We leverage our patented Behaviour Assessment Engine to develop practical, data-driven solutions that bridge the gap between cybersecurity theory and real-world application.
Experience & Philosophy
Having lived and studied in South Korea, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, I bring a deeply lived understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion to both my professional conduct and daily interactions. This global experience has shaped my empathy and strengthened my ability to support and engage meaningfully with diverse students, colleagues, and stakeholders.
In academia, I have come to value the richness of diverse disciplinary paradigms and perspectives. This appreciation enables me to work effectively across fields and with multidisciplinary teams, fostering inclusive and innovative research collaborations. Before transitioning into academia, I held senior leadership roles in the ICT industry, managing international teams and delivering a wide range of complex, high-impact projects. These experiences continue to inform my work, providing a strong foundation in real-world problem-solving and cross-cultural collaboration.
I am deeply committed to bridging the gap between theory and practice through engagement. My aim is to ensure that my research and teaching are not only academically rigorous but also practically relevant and socially impactful. To that end, I actively share insights beyond the university setting through public seminars, podcasts, and guest lectures—fostering dialogue, understanding, and real-world application of knowledge.
Education
My academic foundation is built on a commitment to continuous learning and interdisciplinary study. I hold the following qualifications:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (Information Systems), University of Melbourne, Australia
- Master of Information Systems (with Research), University of Melbourne, Australia
- Bachelor of Commerce (Information Science), University of Otago, New Zealand