Professor Stanley arrived at Central Queensland University in 2010 as the Dean of Medical and Applied Sciences and is currently the Vice-President, Research.

Professor Stanley holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Melbourne and has a background in Applied Microbiology/Biochemical Engineering, with research interests in biofuels, especially the production of second generation bioethanol.

Professor Stanley has experience in researching and teaching microbial metabolism, fermentation systems, bioreactor design and bioremediation. He has published more than 110 refereed and non-refereed papers, one international patent, has received a number of Category 1 funding grants and supervised 16 PhD students to completion.

Professor Stanley has been on the organizing committee of a number of national and international conferences, chairs the Regional University Network DVCR Committee and is a board member and University representative for the Australian University Board of Trustees.