Our team.
Our Founders
Dr Bryn Sobott
Co-founder & Co-CEO
Bryn is a physicist passionate about applying science to improve the world. He has co-founded a Not-for-profit to increase access to medical oxygen, which has helped treat over 11,000 hypoxemic children. Growing up on a farm in rural Victoria gave Bryn a deep appreciation of the environment and he believes that context-appropriate innovation is critical to combating climate change.
Allen Haroutonian
Co-founder & Co-CEO
Allen has grown technology product and service businesses throughout his career. Since 2016 Allen has been working alongside scientists, agriculturalists, policy makers, technologist and entrepreneurs, and investors, gaining understanding of the cause and effect of human induced climate change and focusing his time and energy towards driving the research, development, and adoption of novel innovation to protect and regenerate nature.
Our Leaders
Vanouhi Nazarian
Commercial Officer
Vanouhi brings a blend of deep strategy, operational and finance experience to synthesise and translate complex ideas and bring products to market at speed. She has run businesses across the span of the Australian economy, and has worked closely with many researchers and supported deep tech companies to move from prototype to sales.
She has had a longstanding interest in environmental issues, starting with letters to the prime minister as a child.
She is a Chartered Accountant, a Graduate of the AICD and also holds a Post Grad Diploma in NFP and Social Enterprise Management.
Our Advisors
Associate Prof. Mariana Mayer Pinto
Mariana is a Scientia Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science at UNSW and co-founder of Living Seawalls.
*Living Seawalls was an Earthshot Prize Finalist in 2021.
Mariana did her PhD in Marine Sciences at the University of Sydney, 2009 and holds a MSc in Zoology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Her research integrates theoretical and applied ecology with ecotoxicology to gain mechanistic understanding of the effects of multiple stressors (e.g. contamination, artificial light at night, urbanisation) on marine communities, and to provide practical solutions to environmental problems (e.g. via ecological engineering). Her research has generated new insight critical to inform the successful conservation and management of coastal systems.
Kevin Rassool
Kevin Rassool is a distinguished Mechanical Engineer with a robust background in product leadership and engineering within the FREO2 Foundation. His work has been pivotal in developing oxygen technology aimed at combating childhood pneumonia in underserved communities across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific. Kevin's expertise extends to engaging with end-users such as nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers to ensure medical devices are appropriately designed to meet their needs.
As the Engineering Lead at FREO2, Kevin managed the scoping, resourcing, recruitment, and project management of engineering projects.
Kevin’s innovative spirit is evident in his co-invention, development, and patenting of new oxygen technologies, informed by design-thinking, empathetic co-design, and end-user engagement with culturally and linguistically diverse peoples. His academic achievements include a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Melbourne, where he earned First Class Honours, and studies in Physics and Computational Physics at Lund University.
Kevin’s exemplary work has been recognized with several awards, including the Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology and the Dean’s Honour Award from the University of Melbourne. He is also committed to giving back, as demonstrated by his volunteering as a mentor for the Residential Indigenous Science Experience. Kevin Rassool's contributions to mechanical engineering and global health initiatives reflect a profound commitment to leveraging technology for social good.
Dr Simon Wilson
Dr. Simon Wilson is a distinguished Chemical Engineer renowned for his contributions to the field of oxygen technologies.
Earning his doctorate in chemical engineering, Dr. Wilson has become a prolific author, contributing a wealth of peer-reviewed publications that have significantly impacted the industry.
Throughout his career, Dr. Wilson has cultivated extensive expertise across a variety of areas, including water treatment process engineering, project management, water quality and risk assessment, research management, and gas separation by adsorption. His work has been pivotal in advancing the understanding and application of these technologies, showcasing his commitment to enhancing environmental sustainability and efficiency.
Dr. Wilson has held prestigious leadership roles at Melbourne Water, demonstrating his capacity for guiding and influencing water management strategies. Additionally, his tenure in research and management positions at Monash University, Victoria University, and the University of Wollongong, among others, highlights his dedication to academic excellence and innovation.
Beyond academia, Simon's industry experience is vast, having contributed to Veolia ANZ and worked as an engineer with notable consulting firms. His recent consulting services for Melbourne Water, Coliban Water, and South Gippsland Water underscore his ongoing commitment to improving water systems and technologies. Dr. Wilson's expertise and leadership continue to drive progress in chemical engineering and water treatment processes, making significant contributions to the field and the communities it serves.
Dr Scott Needham
(Ph.D, GAICD, Venture Capital Executive, M.Mgmt, B.Eng)
Scott is an inventor and technology commercialiser: Holder of 6 granted US patents in food science and materials, with 20 years plus experience in IP portfolio management, investment, and innovation.
Scott was the Former General Manager Engineering and Medical Physics - Innovation and Commercialisation at the University of Wollongong, having overseen the intellectual property and commercialisation strategy for a portfolio comprising over 50 patent families. Having generated licensing revenue from teaching materials, superconductor materials, medical devices, microwave technologies, and novel polymer advancements.
Scott was also the former Global Head of Investments, Chemistry and Materials at Intellectual Ventures, having led a team of 20 FTEs comprising investment analysts, scientists, and patent attorneys across 7 countries (India, Sth Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Israel, US). Functioning as 1 of 3 Global Heads of Investments for a fund valued at USD 655 m.
Scott undertook strategic investment design, formulating investment theses and crafting IP portfolios with a USD 150 m budget. Focus areas included recycling, 3D printing, eco-friendly chemicals, rechargeable batteries, sustainable packaging, carbon sequestration, agri-technology, and other innovative sectors.
Dr Brad Evans
Dr. Brad Evans is an aquaculture research and applied breeding specialist at CSIRO, with over 25 years of combined industry and academic research experience and a demonstrated passion for translating research outcomes into improved commercial production. His experience spans from academic research to the industry-wide implementation of genomic selection in Tasmanian Atlantic salmon.
He has led and participated in applied research across four finfish species in Australia and Vietnam, and five shellfish species within Australia, Indonesia and the USA.
He has developed and led research, testing the efficacy of oxygen delivery to salmon in high water temperatures in controlled tank trials and then followed this with commercial scale R&D.
He continues to deliver the seamless integration of innovative solutions into industrial aquaculture settings. His dedication to bridging the gap between research and industry has made him a respected figure in the global aquaculture community.
Tamara Mills
Tamara is deeply passionate about investing in and supporting visionary founders and technologies making a positive impact.
From advancing breakthrough therapeutics with the potential to cure disease through to the development of microbes enabling the preservation of ocean biodiversity.
She is actively engaged in early-stage technology development and commercialization, leading venture investments for Edale Capital across dynamic domains including life sciences, environmental sustainability, and space.
Board level executive with 15 years experience in building and investing in life sciences and deep technology companies across the private and public sector, with a successful track record in development and commercialization across North America and Europe.
Alex Ogg - MBA, GAICD
Alex has dedicated over 30 years to marine innovation and Blue Economy growth.
Passionate about sustainable food production and decarbonising ocean industries, he currently holds roles of Director, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC); Director, Regional Development Australia and strategic advisor to the Australian Ocean Energy Group, the Aquacultr Group and Kelpy bio-products.
Alex has been at the forefront of Australia's South Sea Pearling Industry and is former CEO of the WA Fishing Industry Council and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Alex is a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and of MIT’s – IDEAS Asia Pacific.
Alex’s comfort zone is connecting great ideas with brilliant people, across government, industry and society; nurturing those relationships to create impact for better business and a better planet.
Claudette Rechtorik
Claudette Rechtorik is a distinguished conservationist and educator, renowned for her dedication to marine conservation and youth education.
As the former Founder & General Manager of SEA LIFE Trust Aust/NZ, originally known as the Sydney Aquarium Conservation Fund, she spearheaded efforts to protect marine environments through partnerships with SEA LIFE Aquaria.
Expanding her impact, Claudette founded eNGO Ocean Youth, channelling her passion for the ocean into improving ocean literacy among young Australians.
A 2013 fellow of the Centre of Sustainability Leadership (CSL), she holds a Master's in Teaching (Secondary) from Curtin University and a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Bachelor of Science in Ecology from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Claudette's multifaceted career reflects her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and stewardship of the marine world among the next generation.
