David Gains is the Operations Manager for the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre and the Translational Energy Research Centre. He is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner with a background of working on research and development and capital projects, as well as facilities and health and safety management, in heavy manufacturing.

As Operations Manager, David leads in establishing a continuous improvement culture for operations, technical, health and safety and quality, and is responsible for implementing and maintaining an operational management system. He is accountable for quality, health, safety and environmental compliance in the daily operation of the facility. Working with the project manager, business development manager and the academic team, he manages the facilities, laboratories and engineering operations, including the installation and commissioning of new equipment, identifying operational processes to deliver required technology developments and delivering quality, cost and schedule commitments.