Aleks Nikoloski

Biography

Aleks Nikoloski have fifteen years of teaching and research experience in the field of Extractive Metallurgy (a branch of Chemical Engineering) at Murdoch University and prior to that he had three years of processing plant experience as a Chemical Process Engineer in the Australian mining industry.  He completed a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering (Hydrometallurgy) at Murdoch University in 2002, B.Sc. (Honours) in Hydrometallurgy in 1998 and B.Eng. in Extractive Metallurgy in 1997.  He has a wide-ranging and deep understanding of the disciplines covered within Extractive Metallurgy, which I have developed through my research, professional practice and through the courses that he had taught.  During my time in the industry, he conducted cutting-edge industrial research, leading several research projects some of which have then led to established commercial operations.  Following my return to academia in 2004, he was initially appointed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and then a Senior Research Fellow working in Extractive Metallurgy.  He was appointed a Lecturer in Extractive Metallurgy in 2008.  He is currently Senior Lecturer in Extractive Metallurgy and he serve as the Academic Chair of the undergraduate majors in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, and Mineral Science, as well as the postgraduate Diploma in Extractive Metallurgy. He is also strongly involved in professional practice through research, development and innovation projects that he work on, which are funded by both government and industry. 

Research Interest

His research interests lie in the area of electrochemical science and engineering, primarily the electrochemistry of the leaching and reduction processes used in the hydrometallurgical treatment of metals and minerals.  I study the kinetics and thermodynamics of metallurgical processes and focus on the application of electrochemical methods and principles for the development of leaching, separation and reduction processes, such as the development of improved anodes for base metal electrowinning and environmentally friendly solutions to the problem of recycling of waste catalysts.  Other areas of interest to me are the kinetics of ion exchange and solvent extraction processes and the design of metallurgical processes using mathematical modelling and simulation software.  My approach to research is to combine my extensive experience in industry-based research and development with scientific creativity and leading edge knowledge of hydrometallurgy.