
Always approachable and supportive.
Fosters a love for lifelong learning.
Makes learning exciting and impactful.
Inspires growth and curiosity in every student.
Great Professor!
Dr Galiya Sharafutdinova is a Technical Officer in the School of Science (Physics), College of Engineering, Science and Environment at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Newcastle, where her thesis titled 'Design and investigation of a four mirror scan engine incorporating parabolic reflectors' was supervised by John Holdsworth and Dirk van Helden. Her earlier degrees include a BSc and MSc in Physics from Kazan State University, Russia. Since February 2011, she has served as Laboratory Officer, taking on Acting Technical Coordinator roles from April 2015 to June 2017 and January to October 2021. Her professional memberships include the Australian Institute of Physics, Australian Optical Society, Optical Society of America, and TechNet Australia. She contributed as investigator to the 2013 University of Newcastle Strategic Initiative Research Fund grant of $13,287 for 'Towards a Mammography Scanner'.
Sharafutdinova's research specializations include biomedical optical imaging (50% of research), occupational and workplace health and safety (20%), technical and workplace education (20%), and optical technology (10%). Key interests encompass confocal and two-photon/multiphoton microscopy, scanners for microscopy and 3D scanning, tomography with Radon transform reconstruction, 3D modeling and printing, blended learning delivery, laser safety, and optical design software such as OSLO and TracePro. She has co-authored 25 publications with 107 citations, including journal articles 'Improved field scanner incorporating parabolic optics: Part 1 - Simulation' (Applied Optics, 2009), 'Improved field scanner incorporating parabolic optics: Part 2 - experimental verification and potential for volume scanning' (Applied Optics, 2010), 'Calculated two-photon fluorescence correction factors for reflective scan engines' (Applied Optics, 2010), 'Distance learning laboratory: a remote Atomic and Nuclear Physics experiment' (Australian Physics, 2013), 'Modular LED arrays for large area solar simulation' (Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 2019), and 'Driving Course Engagement Through Multimodal Strategic Technologies' (International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 2022). Notable awards include the 2012 Vice-Chancellor's Award for Professional Staff Excellence (team), Faculty of Science Health, Safety and Wellbeing Excellence Awards (2017, 2020), UoN Excellence Awards finalist (2020 Health, Safety and Wellbeing), and 2024 Recognition of Service from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation). She received services recognition for the Chemical and Radiation Technical Committee and featured cover art in Applied Optics (2010).
