Meet the ACG Team
Director
Professor Johan Wesseloo
Professor and Director, Australian Centre for Geomechanics
Since obtaining a BEng (Civil) and MEng (Geotechnical) from The University of Pretoria, Johan has been involved in geotechnical engineering in open pit and underground environments throughout 14 countries. He commenced his career in 1998 as a geotechnical engineer at SRK Consulting, Johannesburg where he was involved in open pit and underground projects in varying geotechnical conditions. In 2005 he was awarded a PhD (Geotechnical) from The University of Pretoria. Johan joined the Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG) in 2007 as a research fellow. During his time at the ACG, Johan has been involved in research, the supervision of postgraduate students and geotechnical training. He also performs geotechnical and mining-induced seismicity reviews providing him with the valuable opportunity to visit numerous operations worldwide. Johan was instrumental in the development of the mXrap software and many of the software routines and apps available in that platform. Johan is a Fellow of The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM). He was awarded the SAIMM Gold Medal in 2006 and 2016, and the SAIMM Silver Medal in 2014. In 2019, Johan was appointed director of the ACG.
Technical Staff
Paulus Angkodjojo
Software Engineer - mXrap
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Paulus joined the ACG in 2023 as a software engineer in the mXrap development team. He completed his Master’s of Software Engineering at The University of Western Australia in 2020 and worked for a mining technology company before joining the ACG. His focus is to work alongside geotechnical engineers to maintain and develop mXrap apps and associated tools.
Kevin Apicella
Support Officer
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Kevin completed his undergraduate studies in Japanese and Pre-med at the University of California, Davis in the United States. After years of teaching, he transitioned into software development and joined the ACG in October 2025 with the goal of providing support to mXrap users leveraging his experience guiding students and working with technology.
Richard Battison
PhD Student
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Dr Laura Camball
Research Fellow
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Laura is a specialised engineer with a focus on seismicity and geomechanics in underground hardrock mines. She has worked with Canada’s deepest and highest stress mining operations for over a decade – completing her PhD in 2018. Her practical experience in seismic hazard evaluation, mine design and high stress blast response enables her to develop custom tools to overcome the dynamic challenges that mine site personnel face daily. Laura joined the ACG as a research fellow in 2023.
Dr DAniel Cumming-Potvin
Project Lead - mXrap
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Daniel completed his Bachelor of Mining Engineering and PhD at The University of Western Australia in 2012 and 2018 respectively. He has worked at a number of underground metal mines in Australia, specialising in the areas of ground support, monitoring and mine seismicity. Daniel is currently project lead for mXrap.
Professor Phil Dight
Professor geotechnical Engineering
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Phil has been involved with the development and design of ground support for open pit and underground mining applications since 1975. He initially was involved in mine backfill before looking at how rock support behaved in shear. In 1985 he was awarded the prestigious Manuel Rocha Medal by the International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM) for his work in open pit mining and use of ground support to improve pit stability. His ground support algorithm has been adopted by Rocscience in its evaluation of ground support in Phases® and Itasca in 3DEC®. Rocscience also adopted his algorithm for RocTopple®. With Peter Fuller, he undertook research into ground support work in several AMIRA sponsored underground projects. Much of that early research work was formalised in the literature by others. Phil joined the ACG in 2008 and has since been working on in situ stress determination, ground support applications (eg BoltCalc®, fibrecrete), strainburst and slope stability problems. At UWA he has developed a research laboratory looking at rock properties in 3D. He is active in training site personnel in geotechnical engineering based on practical applications and on request, he continues to provide specialist consulting.
Asher Floyd
Project Officer - mXrap
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Asher joined the ACG in 2019 as an Administrative Officer. They hold a Masters in molecular biology from the University of London and has since transferred their interest in data analysis and structural modelling to the mXrap team, where they carry out project support tasks, process development, and consortium onboarding.
Sheehan Gabriel
Laboratory Technician
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Sheehan joined the ACG team in 2020 as a lab technician in the strainburst team. Sheehan’s work at ACG includes sample preparation, conducting DRA, BTS, FT, triaxial and post peak testing and processing tests data.
Dr Audrey Goulet
Research Fellow
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Audrey joined the ACG in 2023, while finishing her PhD. She completed her PhD and her Master of Mining Engineering in 2024 and 2018 respectively at Université Laval (Québec, Canada). She also completed a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering at Université Laval. She specialised into rock mass characterization and seismicity in deep underground mines.
Audrey is a part of the mXrap team and works on the application of probabilistic ground support design tools which is a subproject of phase 3 of Ground Support Systems Optimisation (GSSO3).
Paul Harris
Principal Software Engineer - mXrap
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Paul was originally contracted in 2001 to develop the software component of the Mine Seismicity and Rockburst Risk Management project. Before joining the ACG, he developed custom software for clients in the mining industry. Paul is now continuing to develop the mXrap software, and is the project manager and developer for the Regional Seismic Network project. His focus is on software development and its application to mining and seismicity.
Dr Matthew Heinsen Egan
Senior Software Engineer - mXrap
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Matthew joined the ACG in 2018 as a software engineer. Matthew’s focus is on further developing the libraries and tools available for mXrap App developers, and contributing to the development of specific mXrap Apps.
Ai li (Ellie)
Laboratory Technician
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Ellie joined the ACG team in 2016 as a lab technician in the strainburst team. Ellie’s work at ACG includes sample preparation, conducting DRA, BTS, FT, triaxial and post peak testing and processing tests data.
Dr Benoît McFadyen
Research Fellow
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Benoit has been working with the ACG team since 2019 on the ACG Stope Reconciliation and Optimisation Research project while completing his PhD of Mining Engineering at Université Laval on the same subject.
He has a BEng degree in Engineering Geology and a Master of Mining Engineering degree from Université Laval, Canada. Benoît joined the ACG full time in 2024, while finishing his PhD. His work focuses on the stope reconciliation app development as well as building stope performance prediction models for sites.
Liam Niedzielski
Software Engineer - mXrap
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Liam completed his Bachelor of Science in Physics and Computer Science at The University of Western Australia in 2021. He joined the ACG at the end of 2021 as a software engineer on the mXrap development team.
Liam works alongside the geotechnical engineers to develop and maintain mXrap apps, as well as contribute to the libraries available for mXrap developers.
Professor Yves Potvin
Professor of Mining Geomechanics
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Yves joined the Australian Centre for Geomechanics at The University of Western Australia in 1998 and was centre director, 2000–2019. He has published more than 100 articles and is the editor/co-editor of 14 conference proceedings and books
Yves has more than 40 years’ experience in rock mechanics and mine design and has previously held managerial positions at Mount Isa Mines, the Noranda Technology Centre and worked as a mining engineer at Noranda Mines, Gaspe Division. He undertakes numerous collaborative industry-focused research projects and is presently involved with the ACG’s Ground Support Systems Optimisation Project, and the Stope Reconciliation and Optimisation Project. He currently participates in several geotechnical review boards.
Christelle Richaud
Software Engineer
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Christelle joined the Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG) in 2026 as a software developer in the mXrap development team. She holds a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering and brings over a decade of experience developing spatial data systems and imaging software before joining the ACG. Her focus is to work alongside geotechnical engineers to maintain and develop mXrap apps and associated tools.
Denisha Sewnun
PhD Student & Research Fellow
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Denisha has more than 15 years of experience in the geomechanics aspects of open pit and underground mining projects. She has a BSc (honours) degree in Engineering Geology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Master of Engineering degree in Geomechanics from the University of the Witwatersrand. In 2020, Denisha joined the ACG as a research fellow after having spent eight years providing consulting services for mining projects across Africa. Denisha is currently a PhD student involved in the in situ testing of ground support using blasting, which forms part of the Ground Support System Optimisation research project (GSSO3). She also assists with the Discrete Fracture Network/Block Model Limit Equilibrium Ground Support Design Tools research project and is a part of the mXrap team, where she works on the development of the Rock Mass Data Analyser application.
Robyn Teet
Research Fellow
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Robyn completed her Bachelor of Science with Honours in Geology at the University of Derby in 2010, followed by her Master’s in Applied Geotechnics from Camborne School of Mines in 2011.
She joined the ACG/mXrap team in May 2026 bringing with her over 15 years of mining geotechnical experience. As part of the Technology Transfer Team within mXrap, Robyn’s role is focused on delivering new apps and features to mXrap users which have been developed from research projects and industry interest. Robyn takes her practical geotechnical skills and site experience and applies them to the app development, with a goal of producing apps that are not only backed by technical understanding but are practical for site implementation and incorporate feedback from site users.
Dr Stuart Tierney
Research Fellow
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Stuart graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2011 with a Bachelor of Geotechnical Engineering. He has worked as a geotechnical engineer in Kalgoorlie for nearly five years, mostly focusing on managing seismic risk at Raleigh and Kanowna Belle.
He completed a Master of Engineering Science (Mining Geomechanics) at Curtin University in 2016 where his thesis in the final semester was assisted by the ACG. Stuart joined the ACG as a research assistant for the mXrap Consortium in 2017 and completed his PhD in 2025 which was a method to assess the efficiency of short-term seismic exclusions on the basis of risk.
Dr Kyle Woodward
Senior Research Fellow
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Kyle was initially associated with the ACG in 2010 through his final year research project for his undergraduate Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) degree at The University of Western Australia. Upon completion of this degree, Kyle undertook postgraduate research with the ACG which focused on time-dependent seismic responses to mining. In late 2015, he was awarded his PhD (Civil and Resource Engineering) for his thesis entitled ‘Identification and Delineation of Mining Induced Seismic Responses’. Kyle has been involved in various ACG projects including the Mine Seismicity and Rockburst Risk Management project and the mXrap Consortium. Kyle was project leader for the ACG Stope Reconciliation and Optimisation Research project from 2016 to 2019. He is currently working on the next phase of this research project along with work associated with the mXrap Consortium.
Pranay Yadav
Research Fellow
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Pranay is a mining engineer with over 10 years’ rock mechanics experience in various underground and surface mining operations in India and Canada. He obtained his BTech from the Indian School of Mines in 2013 and MSc from Laurentian University in 2018.
He previously worked at Nickel Rim South Mine as the senior ground control engineer. Pranay’s rock mechanics experience includes deep and high-stress mining, late-stage extraction, squeezing ground conditions, seismic and rockburst risk management, mine design and planning, and drill and blast design.
Administrative Staff
Amanda Cooke
Administration Officer
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Amanda embarked on her second journey at the ACG as an Administrative Assistant in 2023. Along with her diverse administrative responsibilities, she also assists with finance, marketing, and contributes to the events organisation. Passionate about building community, Amanda enjoys organizing social gatherings for the staff. Outside of work, she loves being social and exploring new places with her Jack Russell.
Garth Doig
Publications Manager
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Garth’s responsibilities include the production of ACG conference proceedings, as well as coordinating the ACG websites, multi-media requirements and the ACG’s Online Repository of Conference Proceedings.
Pip Forrest
Finance and Administration Officer
Chloe Grimshaw
Publications Officer
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Chloe’s roles include editing and desktop publishing of ACG conference proceedings and reports, as well as coordinating the ACG’s Online Repository of Conference Proceedings.
Hana Kratochvil
Senior Administration & Finance Officer
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Hana joined the ACG in 2024 with a passion for bringing projects and events to life. With extensive experience and a business degree, she plays a key role in keeping operations running smoothly, offering high-level administrative and financial support. Outside of work, Hana loves the beach, gardening, and discovering WA with her family.
Candice McLennan
Marketing Officer (Digital)
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Candice undertakes the marketing of ACG conferences and range of products and services. Utilising her creativity to enhance the ACG’s digital presence, she is responsible for graphic design, video editing, website design and maintenance, social media management, digital communications and event coordination.
Natalie Miller
Events Officer
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TBA
Christine Neskudla
Business Manager
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Christine is responsible for the financial management, reporting and business planning of the Centre, as well as the liaison with the Centre’s Board of Management, Joint Venture Partners and industry.
Josephine Ruddle
Marketing Manager
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Josephine’s responsibilities include marketing, communications, brand development, public relations and event management. Jo’s focus is to strengthen the ACG’s position locally and internationally as a leading provider of mining geomechanics information.
Kirsten L'Abate
Administrative & Finance Officer
Stefania Woodward
Senior Publications Officer
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Stefania’s role includes editing and desktop publishing of ACG conference proceedings and reports which she manages and produces. She also coordinates the ACG’s Online Repository of Conference Proceedings.
Paulus Angkodjojo
Software Engineer – mXrap
Paulus joined the ACG in 2023 as a software engineer in the mXrap development team. He completed his Master’s of Software Engineering at The University of Western Australia in 2020 and worked for a mining technology company before joining the ACG. His focus is to work alongside geotechnical engineers to maintain and develop mXrap apps and associated tools.
Kevin Apicella
Support Officer
Kevin completed his undergraduate studies in Japanese and Pre-med at the University of California, Davis in the United States. After years of teaching, he transitioned into software development and joined the ACG in October 2025 with the goal of providing support to mXrap users leveraging his experience guiding students and working with technology.
Richard Battison
PhD Student
Richard joined the ACG in late 2024 as a PhD candidate working as part of the Mining-induced Seismicity and Rockburst Risk Management (MSRRM) project team. He has over thirteen years of experience across open-pit and underground mining, including site-based, consultancy, and corporate technical roles.
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During his time involved with underground operations, Richard developed strong capabilities in seismic risk management, large seismic event analysis, and geotechnical modelling. He brings a practical, industry-aligned perspective to his research and contributes to the ACG’s ongoing efforts to enhance seismic understanding and mine safety.
Dr Laura Camball
Research Fellow
Laura is a specialised engineer with a focus on seismicity and geomechanics in underground hardrock mines. She has worked with Canada’s deepest and highest stress mining operations for over a decade – completing her PhD in 2018. Her practical experience in seismic hazard evaluation, mine design and high stress blast response enables her to develop custom tools to overcome the dynamic challenges that mine site personnel face daily. Laura joined the ACG as a research fellow in 2023.
Dr Daniel Cumming-Potvin
Project Lead – mXrap
Daniel completed his Bachelor of Mining Engineering and PhD at The University of Western Australia in 2012 and 2018 respectively. He has worked at a number of underground metal mines in Australia, specialising in the areas of ground support, monitoring and mine seismicity. Daniel is currently project lead for mXrap.
Professor Phil Dight
Professor Geotechnical Engineering
Sheehan Gabriel
Laboratory Technician
Sheehan joined the ACG team in 2020 as a lab technician in the strainburst team. Sheehan’s work at ACG includes sample preparation, conducting DRA, BTS, FT, triaxial and post peak testing and processing tests data.
Dr Audrey Goulet
Research Fellow
Paul Harris
Principal Software Engineer – mXrap
Audrey Mathieu
Research Fellow
Dr Benoît McFadyen
Research Fellow
Liam Niedzielski
Software Engineer – mXrap
Professor Yves Potvin
Professor of Mining Geomechanics
Denisha Sewnun
PhD Student and Research Fellow
Robyn Teet
Research Fellow
Dr Stuart Tierney
Research Fellow
Dr Kyle Woodward
Senior Research Fellow
Pranay Yadav
Research Fellow
Amanda Cooke
Administration Officer
Amanda embarked on her second journey at the ACG as an Administrative Assistant in 2023. Along with her diverse administrative responsibilities, she also assists with finance, marketing, and contributes to the events organisation. Passionate about building community, Amanda enjoys organizing social gatherings for the staff. Outside of work, she loves being social and exploring new places with her Jack Russell.
Asher Floyd
Project Officer – mXrap
Asher joined the ACG in 2019 as an Administrative Officer. They hold a Masters in molecular biology from the University of London and has since transferred their interest in data analysis and structural modelling to the mXrap team, where they carry out project support tasks, process development, and consortium onboarding.
Hana Kratochvil
Senior Administrative and Finance Officer
Hana joined the ACG in 2024 with a passion for bringing projects and events to life. With extensive experience and a business degree, she plays a key role in keeping operations running smoothly, offering high-level administrative and financial support. Outside of work, Hana loves the beach, gardening, and discovering WA with her family.
Candice McLennan
Marketing Officer (Digital)
Candice undertakes the marketing of ACG conferences and range of products and services. Utilising her creativity to enhance the ACG’s digital presence, she is responsible for graphic design, video editing, website design and maintenance, social media management, digital communications and event coordination.
