Meet our team

FOUNDER

Narelle is passionate about supporting researchers, and just happens to really like writing and editing grants (true!). After years in the research sector, she also recognises the need for personalised career development support.

Narelle has a PhD (Genetics) from Monash University, ~20 years of University research management experience, a Cert IV in Career Development Practice and is a certified CliftonStrengths coach.

After years of fly pushing (IYKYK), Narelle worked across numerous Australian Universities. She worked in the fast paced environment of a Go8 research office, has managed ARC grant rounds, and completed hundreds of grant reviews, but has also managed a number of large research projects including an NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence, a Commonwealth Collaborative Research Network, and two ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres.

Narelle wants to support researchers to develop ‘successful’ careers, whether that is through track record development, securing research funding, or helping PhD graduates understand their unique talents and navigate their own unique career path.

Dr Nadia Hamilton worked in higher education research management for seven years before joining Empirical. Nadia worked for the University of Queensland then moved to Griffith University where she spent six years providing grant reviews (compliance and strategy) primarily for ARC grant and fellowship applications but also for NHMRC, QLD Government programs and smaller schemes. Nadia has been a member of ARC reference groups and attended the 2016 ARC Linkage Selection panel meetings as an observer. Nadia has also consulted for SMEs to prepare applications for Australian Government industry funding.  

Prior to this, Nadia completed a PhD in mammalian epigenetics at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. Nadia has a BSc. (Molecular Biology and Genetics) Hons Class 1, University Medal, from the University of Sydney.

Dr Allison Heskes is an experienced plant biologist with expertise in molecular biology, plant physiology and metabolomics. With seven years in active research, she has extensive experience in grant writing, manuscript preparation and thesis editing having supervised and mentored numerous Honours and postgraduate students.

Following the completion of her PhD in plant physiology at the University of Melbourne, Allison undertook a Marie Curie Fellowship at the University of Copenhagen. Her research career focused on the chemistry and biosynthesis of plant natural products in medicinal plants.

Dr Erica Lovelace is an experienced immunologist, research development and program management specialist.

She has extensive experience in grant writing, research strategy, and complex project delivery, specialising in multidisciplinary clinical trial development across academia, medical research institutes, and government.

She is a Project Management Professional (PMP-certified) and brings a structured, outcomes-focused approach to supporting high-value research initiatives from concept through to delivery.

She holds a PhD in Molecular Bioscience (University of Queensland) and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre (Seattle, US), where she secured two competitive training fellowships (the US National Institutes for Health [NIH] Ruth L. Kirschstein F32 Awards) for research in HIV immunology and infectious diseases. Additionally, she also holds an MSc in Toxicology from the University of Surrey (UK) and a BSc (Hons) from the University of Nottingham (UK).

Erica has worked extensively in translational and clinical research environments and is particularly experienced in strengthening the planning, governance, and operational foundations of translational research programs (e.g., NSF SBIR schemes) and clinical trials, both within Australia (e.g., TGA) and overseas (e.g., FDA INDs). She is known for translating complex scientific ideas into clear, fundable, and well-managed programs. In addition to securing funding, this expertise has helped establish the necessary frameworks for the seamless and successful delivery of complex biomedical trials and studies.

Working closely with researchers, professional staff, and external stakeholders, Erica improves research quality, streamlines processes, and supports sustainable research impact: combining deep scientific insight with practical project management, governance expertise, and a collaborative, pragmatic style.