Amanda Barnard received her Bachelors degree (Applied Physics) and Ph.D. (Physics) in 2003 from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University. Dr Barnard went on to a 2 year position as a Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow in the Center for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne National Laboratory (USA), followed by 3 years as a prestigious Violette & Samuel Glasstone Fellow at the University of Oxford (UK) and an Extraordinary Junior Research Fellowship at The Queen's College. Dr Barnard currently holds the position of Future Generation Fellow at the University of Melbourne. In recognition of her work in theoretical nanoscience Amanda has been invited to speak at several international conferences, including a NATO/OTAN Advanced Research Workshop in 2004.

Using thermodynamic theory and highly accurate, first principles computer simulations, Amanda Barnard's research focuses on the fundamental science associated with “nanomorphology”, a term used to describe the structure, shape and phase of materials at the nanoscale. A fervent advocate of partnering theory and experimentation, her interests lie in the development of multi-scale models dependent upon experimentally relevant factors such as size, composition, temperature, defects and surface chemistry. The use of such models will help nanoscientists to understand why certain shapes are observed (while others are not), and enable them to predict the physical conditions required to make specific shapes without the need for costly trial-and-error experimentation.

Another important area of Amanda Barnard's research is the issue of the stability of nanomaterials. Although much attention has been given around the world to how nanoparticles may interact with the environment (and biological systems), Amanda's research also aims to address how the environment may affect the stability and properties of nanoparticles. Regulatory guidelines are only effective when dealing with a known substance, so understanding the environmental stability of nanomaterials is of great importance.