Our team brings together diverse expertise in AI research, applied psychology, and design engineering. We’re not just researchers. We’re hands-on builders who remain deeply involved in both discovery and implementation.
Our Team Philosophy
At Maincode, we believe the best breakthroughs happen at the intersection of disciplines. Our team is built on:
- Cross-pollination of ideas between research domains
- Rapid prototyping to test and validate theories
- Deep collaboration without traditional silos
- Curiosity-driven exploration with practical application
Dave Lemphers
Role: CEO & Founder of Maincode
Focus: Building Australia’s sovereign frontier AI capability. We design and train models from the ground up to solve real-world problems, commercial, industrial, and national
Philosophy: “I believe Australia should control its own future in AI, just like we once did in steel, power, and motors. Sovereign capability isn’t marketing. It’s building the full stack ourselves, from metal to model. Dreamed, engineered, and run on home soil by the best minds in the country.”
Dr. Fabian Waschkowski
Role: Research Scientist
Focus: Developing novel approaches to AI systems that enhance human reasoning and decision-making
Philosophy: “The most interesting questions live at the boundaries between what we know and what we’re trying to discover.”
Dr. Lukas Wesemann
Role: Research Scientist
Focus: Exploring the intersection of machine learning and human cognition to build more intuitive AI systems
Philosophy: “Great AI research happens when you combine rigorous methodology with creative leaps of imagination.”
Kees Bakker
Role: Design Engineer
Focus: Turning research into tools that help people think clearly and act with confidence. Fast, legible, and built for real use.
Philosophy: “Great design sharpens judgment. I take cues from Engelbart, Norman, and Rams; but stay close to the work. Interfaces should feel obvious, not clever. The goal is utility with taste, intelligence without noise.”
Dr. Sara E. Rodríguez Gómez
Role: Research Scientist
Focus: Advancing our understanding of how AI systems can adapt and learn in complex, real-world environments
Philosophy: “Research and engineering are about making sense of the world and finding ways to shape it. I believe in things that break, and then work.”
Dr. Amanda Baughan
Role: UX Researcher
Focus: Designing systems that build trust and understanding between humans and AI
Philosophy: “Technology should create meaningful connections and understanding, not just efficiency.”
Luke Borgnolo
Role: Applied Psychology Researcher
Focus: Using psychological insights to design more effective AI-human collaboration and to shape the teams capable of building it.
Philosophy: “Humans are messy, weird, and fascinating. Each mind is a private universe; infinite yet bounded, and shaped by forces we scarcely perceive. When these universes align in shared purpose, remarkable things become possible.”
Our Collaborative Process
Research Integration
We don’t work in isolation—every project involves multiple team members bringing different perspectives:
- Cross-disciplinary reviews where psychology insights inform technical design
- Rapid prototyping to test theoretical concepts in practice
- Regular research jams where we explore new ideas together
- Shared documentation that captures insights across all disciplines
From Theory to Practice
Our research process is designed to maintain connection between discovery and application:
- Applied constraints inform theoretical research from day one
- User feedback shapes research priorities and directions
- Iterative development that cycles between research and implementation
- Real-world testing of research insights in practical applications
Knowledge Sharing
We believe in collective intelligence:
- Weekly research seminars where team members share their latest findings
- Cross-training so everyone understands adjacent disciplines
- External presentations at conferences and research gatherings
- Open collaboration with researchers at other institutions
Multidisciplinary by Design
We don’t just bring different disciplines together—we integrate them:
- Psychology-informed AI architecture decisions
- Design-driven research priorities
- Engineering-constrained theoretical exploration
- Human-centered evaluation metrics
Speed and Agility
We move fast without sacrificing rigor:
- Rapid hypothesis testing through prototyping
- Flexible research directions that adapt to new findings
- Direct implementation of research insights
- Short feedback loops between theory and practice
Mission-Driven Focus
Everything we do serves our core mission:
- Human reasoning as the north star for all research
- Practical application as a constraint, not an afterthought
- Collaborative intelligence rather than replacement AI
- Ethical considerations built into every design decision
