Experience

Educational Course Developer — Applied Programs

UNSW College2024 — Present

Document and develop new education-focused product initiatives in line with the UNSW College strategy, acting as academic lead for governance across a portfolio of new applied degree programs. Lead subject-matter experts and cross-functional contributors in developing course content, conduct curriculum mapping, and author program and course learning outcomes alongside academic teams.

Produce the regulatory documentation supporting program proposals and course development, ensuring compliance with threshold standards including TEQSA, ESOS, and the AQF. Develop discussion papers and proposals for steering committee and academic governance forums — covering scheduling flexibility, academic progression, prerequisite sequencing, and recognition-of-prior-learning implications — and partner with learning and Work Integrated Learning designers to stress-test program structures ahead of first intake. Collaborate with industry partners, peak national bodies, and student representatives to ideate and structure new products.

Blended Learning Manager

Western Sydney University – The College2024

Led multiple cross-functional curriculum-development teams, including academic champions, writers, and reviewers. Managed the implementation of block-mode delivery and the adoption of Articulate Rise for flipped pre-class material. Developed and maintained project timelines, Gantt charts, and milestone planning across development cycles. Ran learning-design best-practice sessions for the team with a solutions-focused approach, and facilitated training and induction workshops to socialise new delivery models and processes.

Learning Designer

Western Sydney University – The College2022 — 2024

Collaborated with stakeholders to develop learning solutions aligned with the University's 21C principles, Quality Matters standards, and College transition pedagogy. Designed constructively-aligned learning experiences focused on real-world application and authentic assessment, and implemented project-based learning enabling students to build portfolios for professional use. Led integration of digital tools such as Numbas for interactive formative assessment and mastery learning, and developed templates and best-practice guidelines to ensure consistency and quality across projects.

Digital Media Designer

Western Sydney University – The College2020 — 2022

Designed and delivered engaging, pedagogically sound digital learning objects for assessment, teaching, and learning across College courses, including the RTO. Maintained Blended Learning resources in digital repositories and managed content storage, dissemination, and archiving. Delivered training and presentations to upskill team members in digital media.

Test Day Supervisor / Administrator

Western Sydney University – The College2017 — 2024

Organised, delivered, and supervised high-stakes computer-delivered English proficiency examinations for IELTS and Pearson PTE-A. Responsible for day-to-day test-centre operations, staff supervision, customer service, and real-time troubleshooting of software and hardware, with a strong emphasis on data security and privacy.

Casual Academic

Western Sydney University2013 — 2020

Taught undergraduate chemistry and physics, both theory and practical, explaining and demonstrating complex concepts in accessible ways. Supervised laboratory practicals, tutored at both one-to-one and class level, created teaching materials, and marked assessments.

Core Skills

Education

Doctor of Philosophy

Western Sydney University2014 — 2018

Chitosan-based nano-structured biomaterials for sutureless tissue repair

Research into bioadhesive, nano-structured alternatives to sutures and staples for tissue wound repair, addressing the inflammation, scarring, and leakage associated with conventional closure. Investigated nano-structured device designs to improve bonding strength and clinical outcomes in the moist tissue environment where gecko-inspired van der Waals adhesives typically fail.

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Western Sydney University2013

Honours Class I — Dean's Merit List (GPA above 6.0, top 10% of students)

Thesis: In Vitro Characterisation of a Novel Extracellular Matrix-Based Biomaterial for Sutureless Tissue Repair. Hands-on experience with lasers, mechanical testing of materials, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.

Bachelor of Science (Advanced Science)

Western Sydney University2010 — 2012

Major in Chemistry, sub-major in Physics

Science degree in medical nanotechnology with a strong research focus, maintaining a distinction average.

Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (TAE40116)

The College RTO, Western Sydney University2021

Developed a strong understanding of RTO compliance structures alongside practical training and assessment skills, applied to curriculum design and delivery within vocational compliance frameworks.

Inspire Leadership Program

Western Sydney University2022 — 2023

Applied the Leader/Manager model to leadership roles, identified leadership capabilities in self and others, and developed strategies for positive working relationships through an action-learning project.

Publications

Frost, S. J., Houang, J., Hook, J. M., & Lauto, A. Chitosan adhesives with sub-micron structures for photochemical tissue bonding. Laser Therapy, 2022. 10.4081/ltj.2022.306
Sliow, A., Ma, Z., Gargiulo, G., Mahns, D., Mawad, D., Breen, P., Stoodley, M., Houang, J., Kuchel, R., Tettamanzi, G. C., Tilley, R. D., Frost, S. J., Morley, J., Longo, L., & Lauto, A. Stimulation and repair of peripheral nerves using bioadhesive graft-antenna. Advanced Science, 2019. 10.1002/advs.201801212
Frost, S. J., Mawad, D., Wuhrer, R., Myers, S., & Lauto, A. Semitransparent bandages based on chitosan and extracellular matrix for photochemical tissue bonding. Biomedical Engineering Online, 2018. 10.1186/s12938-018-0444-1
Frost, S. J., Mawad, D., Higgins, M. J., Ruprai, H., Kuchel, R., Tilley, R. D., Myers, S., Hook, J. M., & Lauto, A. Gecko-inspired chitosan adhesive for tissue repair. NPG Asia Materials, 2016. 10.1038/am.2016.73
Frost, S. J., Mawad, D., Hook, J., & Lauto, A. Micro- and nanostructured biomaterials for sutureless tissue repair. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2015. 10.1002/adhm.201500589
Barton, M. J., Morley, J. W., Mahns, D. A., Mawad, D., Wuhrer, R., Fania, D., Frost, S. J., Loebbe, C., & Lauto, A. Tissue repair strength using chitosan adhesives with different physical-chemical characteristics. Journal of Biophotonics, 2014. 10.1002/jbio.201300148