Welcome to the second issue of MEMKO’s academic newsletter. A huge thank you to all our contributors to the inaugural edition; we were genuinely overwhelmed by the support and feedback. If you missed it, you can catch up on our first issue here.
This quarter, we’re thrilled to bring you stories from across the research and innovation landscape, from the literal “bleeding edge” of digital twins in cardiovascular health and engineering, to the lifelong impact of student clubs as real-world learning environments. We also spotlight the growing importance of diversity in strengthening Australia’s defence workforce, and take you inside UniSA’s Industrial AI Research Centre for a closer look at how digital engineering capabilities are evolving in an increasingly AI dominated world.
As we wrap up the year, I want to wish everyone a safe and restorative break. We’ll be back with more exciting digital engineering insights, stories, and collaborations in Q1 of 2026. As always, if you or someone you know is interested in being spotlighted in our newsletter, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Cardiac Digital Twins: The Next Frontier in Precision Medicine
Assoc. Prof. Vijay Rajagopal and his team at the University of Melbourne reveal how patient-specific cardiac digital twins are opening an exciting new frontier in cardiovascular care, allowing clinicians to forecast how individual patients might respond to different treatments.
Diversity as a Strategic Workforce Advantage in Defence
President of Women’s Defence Connection (WDC) and Industry Engagement Lead at Navantia Australia, Olivia Agate, shares her insights on how community and visibility are reshaping the future of defence through diversity – and why embracing it is critical for innovation and success.
Inside UniSA’s Industrial AI Research Centre
Assoc. Prof. Wolfgang Mayer offers an overview of the Centre’s capabilities, from AI-enabled digital twins to adaptive systems designed for both Earth and space. With countless ways to engage with the center, reach out to learn more about how you can collaborate.
Student Innovation in Motion: Inside Monash Nova Rover
Parmis Hassani reveals how student-led innovation at Monash Nova Rover is turning ambitious ideas into real engineering breakthroughs, giving students a launchpad into the world of robotics and space technology.
Industry-Integrated Placements
Discover how MEMKO is fostering collaboration between academia and industry through co-located student placements with the University of Southern Queensland. Designed to the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, students gain invaluable experience.
If you or your team are working on a project, paper, or initiative that deserves the spotlight, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to submit your story for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue.
Raj Burli is the Digital Lead – Innovation and Education at MEMKO Systems and holds a Master of Science from RMIT University. He focuses on bridging research and innovation by connecting industry expertise with academic research to enhance education outcomes.
With a broad industry perspective spanning aerospace, defence, and beyond, Raj works collaboratively across sectors to ensure emerging technologies and industry needs inform teaching and research programs. He brings deep experience in science communication and a passion for future-focused technologies, helping enterprises and educational institutions navigate the evolving digital landscape.