SELVANEX PROJECTS is a consultancy firm that works with agribusinesses, Indigenous, and other communities to develop Spirulina farms of different output capacities to suit available resources and environmental constraints.
At the heart of Selvanex Projects is a commitment to sustainable agri/aquaculture. We believe in a sustainable future based on working in harmony with the environment. Our spirulina farm designs operate on renewable energy, and we actively work to reduce our clients' carbon footprint, water usage and environmental impact
Our Team
SeedHunter documentary trailer (1:52 min)
DR KEN STREET (PhD, BSc Hon (Agric) ), is an agricultural scientist who has worked many years in the international agricultural development sphere. In this role he coordinated multiple projects that spanned 12 countries. Much of his focus was to collect, preserve and find innovative ways to utilize our ancestral agrobiodiversity in support of global food security.
In the above context Ken curated one of the world's largest genetic resources collections of temperate food and forage legumes that was held in trust by the International Centre of Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ACIAR based in Aleppo, Syria.
A major aspect of this work was captured in the award winning documentary entitled "Seed Hunter", the trailer to which is featured above.
With the looming threat of climate change, Ken has shifted his focus to Spirulina, the world's most nutritious food, which, unlike conventional forms of agriculture, is uniquely resilient to climatic extremes.
Ken brings to Selvanex a detailed knowledge of growing spirulina, agricultural systems, scientific rigor and extensive experience in international project management.
JAMES IRVING is a solo commercial lawyer in Perth who has worked in a variety of roles over a career spanning three decades.
As a youngster, he accompanied his father on seed collection missions in Western Queensland and South Australia, and he has long had an amateur interest in botany. He brings to Selvanex Projects this interest, as well as his skills in creating corporate structures, drafting commercial documents, networking, interpreting and applying laws and regulations for compliance purposes, and engaging with governments, NGOs and other stakeholders.
His life history and family origins are international and multicultural, and James is keen to expand the operations of Selvanex Projects outside Australia to work with any community anywhere in the world that wants to grow Spirulina to improve the health, nutrition and livelihoods of its members.
DR MOHAMMED YARO (PhD, MPhil, BSc (Agric)), is a seasoned sustainable agriculture research scientist. He joins Selvanex Projects with a strong background in genomics, immunogenetics, and livestock research. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Science (Genomics) from Curtin University, Australia, Dr. Yaro has extensive experience as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, and as a Research Scientist at the Biotechnology and Agriculture Research Institute, Ghana. His expertise spans sustainable agricultural research, genomic analysis, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, with a focus on improving crop and livestock productivity, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. Dr. Yaro's expertise enhances Selvanex Projects' mission to promote innovative spirulina farming solutions.
DEREK HOBBS, is a talented inventor and instrument designer who brings a unique blend of technical and practical expertise to Selvanex. His role at Selvanex, is to design cutting-edge Spirulina Bioreactors, leveraging his expertise to drive sustainable and efficient spirulina farming solutions.
Raised on a farm in the Western Australian Wheat Belt, Derek has a strong foundation in conventional farming practices and the associated machinery that makes it possible. After leaving the family farm he went on to develop expertise in Electrical/Electronics/Instrument making and has extensive trade experience in this field. He also has experience in process control, and water treatment. His diverse career spans roles at the Perth Metropolitan Water Supply, SCM Chemicals, ICI, and Carter Scott Design, where he worked on technical R&D projects for prominent clients.
After studying Permaculture at Murdoch University, Derek founded Barefoot Engineering, which focuses on soft engineering and green technology solutions.
Advisory support
Dr Farouq Sharifpour (PhD, DVM) is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University. His research focuses on molecular parasitology, extracellular vesicles, and biotechnology, with a particular interest in developing innovative biomanufacturing platforms for vaccines and therapeutics. He has investigated the immunomodulatory properties of Spirulina-derived extracellular vesicles and the role of helminth-derived extracellular vesicles in inflammatory diseases.
Farouq holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and a PhD in Molecular Parasitology from the University of Adelaide. He has developed a novel transcription regulation system for Toxoplasma gondii ( an intestinal parasite) and is working towards new platforms for delivering therapeutic proteins.
He has collaborated with leading research institutions, including Aarhus University, Ludwig Maximilian University, and WEHI, and has presented his work at major international conferences. Passionate about translational research, he explores how microbial and parasite-derived extracellular vesicles can be harnessed for immunotherapy and vaccine development.
With his lab-based experience in researching spirulina he has an intimate knowledge of the organism and is able to provide invaluable advice on its behavior, genetics and factors that affect its growth.
Got questions? Reach out to us.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We respect the Whadjuk Noongar people as the traditional custodians of the land where Selvanex Projects is based, and acknowledge their elders, past and present. Our commitment to sustainable agriculture is inspired by their culture of living in harmony with the Earth and managing its resources responsibly.