Our team

People with purpose.
A future in common.

Business and technology experience, university research and a shared commitment to Australian wildlife.

01 / Leadership

General Manager

Roger van den Hoek

Roger brings more than 30 years of business management experience to AvianShield, alongside a practical background in security and surveillance technology. Following seven years with the NSW Police Force, his career has included construction security, access control and CCTV, with more than two decades working with camera systems in airports and aviation. His experience identifying aircraft in demanding Australian conditions informs a grounded approach to developing technology for real environments. At AvianShield, Roger connects business leadership and practical delivery with the shared goal of protecting wildlife while supporting a sustainable energy future.

Technical Director

Mark van den Hoek

Mark has spent more than 30 years in information technology, working across network administration, systems integration and complex networks connecting Australian and international offices. His experience extends to IP-based CCTV and more than two decades of camera technology in airports and aviation. As AvianShield’s Technical Director, he brings a practical understanding of how reliable systems perform outside the office and in demanding field conditions. Mark’s focus is on bringing the technology together to support dependable wildlife monitoring and the team’s long-term conservation purpose. An avid amateur nature photographer, Mark also brings a personal appreciation of Australian wildlife to the project.

02 / Research collaborators

University of Sydney & UNSW

Lead Researcher

Zihao “Zi” Wang

Zi is a lecturer in aerospace engineering at the University of Sydney, with research interests in autonomous systems and their practical applications. His work has explored how intelligent technology can respond to the challenges of observing and managing birds in real environments. As lead researcher on the collaborative bird-monitoring project, Zi helps connect engineering research with the need for reliable evidence about wildlife activity. His contribution supports AvianShield’s ambition to help renewable energy and bird conservation progress together.

Research Collaborator

Richard Wu

Richard is an Associate Professor in UNSW’s School of Aviation, bringing experience in aviation operations, data analysis and applied technology research. His work connects research with practical challenges faced by industry, drawing on a career across public and private transport organisations. Within the bird-monitoring collaboration, Richard contributes expertise in the connections and data systems that support research in remote locations. His practical, evidence-led perspective helps the team turn observations into useful knowledge for wildlife protection and responsible renewable energy development.

Research Collaborator

Kate Brandis

Kate is an applied ecologist at UNSW with more than 25 years of experience researching Australian waterbirds, wetlands and rivers. Her work explores bird movement, habitat use and the ways scientific evidence can guide better environmental decisions. She brings that ecological perspective to the bird-monitoring collaboration, helping identify birds recorded on camera and understand how different species behave around wind turbines. Kate’s contribution keeps the living landscape at the centre of the research, connecting technological development with meaningful conservation outcomes.

03 / Advisers and supporters

Raptor Consultant

Steve Debus

Steve is an Australian ornithologist whose work has focused on birds of prey, threatened woodland birds and their conservation. His experience spans field surveys, research, ecological assessment and the study of bird behaviour, particularly raptors and owls. As AvianShield’s raptor consultant, he brings specialist knowledge of the birds that inspire the project and the landscapes they depend on. Steve’s involvement reflects a shared commitment to conserving Australian wildlife while supporting the careful development of renewable energy.

Strategic Business Adviser

Nigel Cowan

Nigel is an entrepreneur and business adviser with experience founding, growing and selling technology-led businesses. His career includes more than 25 years across public and private organisations, alongside consulting work in Australia, the United States and Europe. Having built businesses in healthcare technology, he brings an understanding of how ideas develop into practical services and sustainable organisations. At AvianShield, Nigel contributes a commercial and strategic perspective to support the team’s direction, partnerships and long-term ambition for wildlife protection.

Project Supporter

Rob Molnar

Rob is an orthopaedic surgeon with a longstanding commitment to research, education and improving outcomes through evidence. Alongside his clinical career, he has a strong personal interest in Australian wildlife and the role renewable energy can play in a sustainable future. His involvement with AvianShield is a passion project, bringing encouragement, thoughtful perspective and support to the team. Rob shares the belief that progress in clean energy should go hand in hand with care for the natural world.

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A shared future
starts with understanding.

Working in renewable energy, wildlife research or environmental management? Let’s talk about what we can learn together.

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People with purpose.A future in common.