Dr Ian Dagley
CEO
Dr Ian Dagley is the Chief Executive Officer of the Solving Plastic Waste Cooperative Research Centre (SPW CRC). Prior to this appointment, he was Chief of the Science Partnerships and Engagement Division of the Defence Science and Technology Group (DST), and was the CEO of the CRC for Polymers for 21 years.
Ian has a PhD from the University of Melbourne, a MBA from RMIT, and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).
Ian is responsible to the Board for the day-to-day management of the CRC and works closely with the Management Team and the Program Leaders to ensure the CRC delivers it planned outcomes and impacts.
Distinguished Professor Chengrong Chen
Research Director
Chengrong Chen is a Distinguished Professor in Environmental Biogeochemistry and the leader of Griffith University’s Environmental Biogeochemistry Lab.
Chen is a world-leading researcher in environmental biogeochemistry, with a broad interest in climate change, waste recycling, decarbonation and environmental sustainability. He has successfully managed several large R & D grants (>$20M) from both government and industry in the past 15 years.
He is committed to industry-led and outcome-oriented research to assist in building Australian industry and to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits. He is a past ARC Future Fellow and in the top 2% of world scientist (Stanford/Elsevier 2024) . He is also an ARC College of Expert Panel member (2022-2025), was the Chair of Commission 4.3 in the International Union of Soil Science (2018-2021) and is an Editor of several key journals in his field.
Chen has established an extensive collaborative network both globally and in Australia, having supervised 26 PhDs and mentored 15 Postdoctoral Fellows. In 2024 he received the Griffith University Vice Chancellor Research Excellence Award and the Soil Science Australia JA Prescott Award for his impactful contributions to soil health, climate change mitigation, and environmental protection.
Chen is the SPW CRC’s main point of contact for all research and education and training matters.
Lisa Elliott
Chief Operating Officer
Lisa has over 25 years’ experience in the university sector, with 15 of these years in research management. She has managed a number of teams and major projects across university sectors and has extensive experience in engaging industry for research. In 2019, Lisa became the Head of the Research Development team at Griffith University and worked closely on the Solving Plastic Waste CRC bids in Rounds 23 and 24 from 2021-2023 to assist in getting the CRC funded by the Commonwealth. It is therefore with great pride that Lisa has joined the CRC team.
Lisa is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has a Bachelor of Arts, and has a Masters of Applied Linguistics from Macquarie University.
Lisa is the point of contact for all operational matters for the CRC, including reporting and the data management system, communications and events.
Marcelle Collins
Finance Manager
Marcelle is a CPA with over 20 years’ experience as an accounting professional working in industries including advertising, professional services, financial services, fitness and travel. Most of her experience has been gained working in SMEs and start-ups either in a small team or as a stand-alone for the finance function.
Plastic waste and recycling are issues that are important to Marcelle, so she is pleased to be able to use her professional experience to support the work of the Solving Plastic Waste CRC.
Marcelle holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland and is a Member of CPA Australia.
Marcelle is the point of contact of all invoicing and other financial matters in the CRC.
Deb Friel
Education & Training Co-Leader – Educational Content Developer
Deb has extensive experience in the development of microcredential courses for industry within higher education settings. With a proven track record of driving organisational growth and operational excellence, she specialises in the co-design of bespoke microcredential courses and curriculum mapping aligned to industry standards, principles of adult learning and sustainability to reshape how institutions prepare students for the evolving workforce.
Deb’s commitment to educational innovation and stakeholder engagement has consistently resulted in positive outcomes for the organisations she has served.
Deb will co-ordinate the design and delivery of educational and training activities and services in collaboration with the CRC’s industry and university Partners to build the SPW CRC’s ambitious Industry Microcredential Program and will foster partnerships to enhance the reach and impact of the CRC’s educational initiatives for SPW CRC and the wider community.