William is a highly experienced industrial scientist with expertise in the areas of high temperature reactions, colloid science and catalysis, and has been working in the field of renewable and alternative energy and materials since 2006. Prior to this he was Research and Development Manager for Colloidal Dynamics, an innovative company specializing in the design and manufacture of scientific instruments for colloid science applications and scientific consulting services. Dr Rowlands was a pioneering stakeholder in Colloidal Dynamics, which was acquired by Agilent in 2008.

Dr Rowlands has held a number of Postdoctoral positions at the University of Sydney, and was a Senior Technologist with Redland Technology (UK). He is a graduate of the University of Bristol, completing his B.Sc. in Chemistry in 1984 and his Ph.D. in 1989. In 2007 he completed an M.B.A. (Executive) degree at the Australian Graduate School of Management, a joint School of the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney. He is the author of fourteen peer-reviewed scientific papers and several patents.