Javaan Chahl

Professor Javaan Chahl is DST Group Joint Chair of Sensor Systems and has been with UniSA since 2012. Prior to this, he served as the Professor of Aerospace (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) at RMIT University in Melbourne. Prior to this role, he was at the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group, with whom he still works closely.

Professor Chahl earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience & Robotics at the Australian National University. Professor Chahl has published over 150 full length refereed articles and has been referenced by other researchers in his fields more than 3,000 times. His research provides ample evidence of his breadth of research expertise including Avionics for UAVs, operations analysis, flight trials, space exploration, neuroscience, anatomy, manufacturing technology and behavioural biology. High points of his career have included working with NASA Ames developing Mars exploration technology and supporting his military colleagues with real-time technical advice during operations.

His current research interests are UAVs, biological vision systems, insect behaviour and aerospace technology. His research is multidisciplinary, collaborative and encompasses both theory and application. As a Research Degree Supervisor, Professor Chahl is highly sought after as a supervisor and mentor and is responsible for a large and diverse group of graduate students. His graduated research students have gone on to attain senior academic and government research positions in Australia and overseas. He encourages collaboration, communication, and a focus on high quality, high impact research.