Director and Research Support Services
Director of Northern Institute - Professor Ruth Wallace (Interim)
We are currently in the recruitment process for this role - the Interim Director is Professor Ruth Wallace.
Katrina Britnell
Partnerships Coordinator
: +61 8 8946 6838
: Charles Darwin University, Darwin City NT
Katrina joined the NI team in 2010 after returning to Darwin from a six-year hiatus in Brisbane. Her first task at NI was the successful launch of Northern Institute at NT Parliament House. With a marketing and business management background in the mining, oil and gas industries Katrina was excited for the challenge of working in a research and higher education environment.
Katrina's role as a professional staff member has evolved from administration to the fostering, development and maintaining of internal and external stakeholder relationships, research partnership facilitation and support plus community engagement.
She works collaboratively with NI researchers to promote their research and assist them to capture research opportunities, grants, projects and activities in the Northern Territory, northern Australia, nationally and internationally.
Analyn Vargas
Operations Officer
: +61 08 8946 7086
: Charles Darwin University, Darwin City NT
The Operations Officer is responsible for:
- Provide operational support to the Director and the broader Institute team.
- Develop and implement processes and workflows to support strong governance of research operations and restricted accounts.
- Ensure effective management and oversight of externally funded research activities and compliance requirements.
- Coordinate communication of governance processes with Faculty administration staff and the Office of Research and Innovation.
- Work closely with the Director and the Research Support Service (RSS) team to help achieve Institute goals.
- Liaise with internal University sections, ensuring smooth coordination of administrative, financial, and research‑related matters.
- Liaise with external stakeholders regarding grant conditions, reporting obligations, and compliance requirements.
- Maintain high standards of accuracy, commitment, and reliability in all administrative and operational tasks (based on the incomplete final sentence).
Kevin Xavi Chand
Administration Officer
: 08 8946 7468
: Charles Darwin University, Darwin City NT
The Administration Officer is responsible for:
- Coordinating and administering the academic seminar series
- Planning and delivering research and institute events
- Managing social media and website content for the Northern Institute
- Assisting researchers with documentation, procedures, and policy compliance
- Providing support to the Partnerships Coordinator in research and engagement activities
Mary Ann Maddox
Research Administration Assistant
: +61 8 8946 6446
: Charles Darwin University, Darwin City NT
The Research Administrative Assistant is responsible for:
- travel bookings and enquiries
- processing administrative forms for staff/projects
- supporting project teams with administrative processes
- organising and renewing staff contracts
- adjunct/honorary appointments
- supporting the Finance Officer