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Thank you to all of those who nominated for the GENE Awards in 2021. We were overwhelmed by the response and as such would like to congratulate our shortlisted candidates for this year.
Join us for an afternoon of networking, drinks and lunch to celebrate the life sciences industry on our awardees on Friday 19 November 2021.
[collapse title="The Rose-Anne Kelso Commemorative Award" position="closed"]
In memory of Rose-Anne Kelso and in collaboration with Stockwell, this award recognises an individual woman’s endeavours, passion, and dedication to the health and life sciences industry, in the early to mid stage of her career.
Dr Jennifer Deuis
My current research focus is to utilise venom from spiders, scorpions and plants to discover and develop novel research tools that selectively modulate neurons, specifically those that enable us to detect touch, temperature, and pain. These research tools are used to increase our understanding of pain signalling and to provide insights into the structural basis of selective ion channel modulation. This knowledge is crucial for the understanding of pain signalling, the discovery of new therapeutic pain targets, and the rational design of novel analgesics. I obtained my PhD in the field of Neuropharmacology (conferred 01/2016) from The University of Queensland (School of Pharmacy) and I am currently a post-doctoral researcher located at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience. I have a career total (since 2013) of 48 publications, including 40 original articles, 5 review articles and 3 book chapters (>1600 citations, h-index 21). I have received more than $1,000,000 in research funding, including through competitive NHMRC and ARC funding schemes, demonstrating my success as an early career researcher (5 years post-PhD). I aspire to be a researcher leader in neurotoxin pharmacology to improve our understanding of the nervous system. This will enable me to continue working with venoms from a wide variety of sources to make novel discoveries relating to peptides and neuroscience, and to share my knowledge through the mentorship and training of future aspiring scientists.
Dr Fleur Garton
I am an NHMRC early career fellow at UQ (PhD 2014, 6 years FTE post-PhD). Since 2016, I’ve established a coherent MND research program intersecting patients, biosample collections and computational genomics analyses. I have a passion and strong empathy to work on neurodegenerative disorders and organised and participated in multiple fundraising events (>$20K). My research is published in top quartile genetics/genomics journals (h-index 18). Recently I applied my multi-pronged approach to follow-up an MND risk locus (accepted Genome Medicine, senior author), coordinating research contributions from The University of California, University Utrecht and The University of Paris. My vision is to translate genomic findings from the bench into the clinic. I am putting in place relevant building blocks to carry out novel research ideas to improve patient outcomes and have travelled to support these outcomes. This includes establishing a novel biomarker to detect MND (joint-international project) and better understand mechanisms underlying MND risk (and how to target them). I am very proud to have supervised three honours students, all of whom received first-class honours. In recognition of my passion for sharing (and celebrating) science with others, I was recently selected as a National 2021/22 STEM Ambassador to facilitate communication with the local federal parliament member (Science & Technology, Australia). I aim to pursue high-quality research and in just 6 years (full-time equivalent) I have won >$1M in funding as principal investigator.
Dr Meredith Redd
Meredith Redd (<5 years post-PhD) is passionate about identifying new therapeutic targets and regenerative approaches to combat cardiovascular disease. Her research has resulted in 17 publications with >500 citations and an h-index of 12 and first author publications in journals such as Circulation (2021, IF:29.7) and Nature Communications (2019, IF: 14.9), and co-authorships in journals such as American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2020, IF: 21.4) and Nature Protocols (2017, IF: 13.5). Meredith has secured two competitively awarded international postdoctoral fellowships as well as independent research funds to pursue large animal pre-clinical testing of a therapeutic agent to combat ischemic heart disease. Meredith was awarded the prestigious 2021 Ralph Reader Prize from the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ), is a finalist (winner TBD) for Women in Technology Rising Star in Science award, and her work has formed the foundation for >$5M in grant funding including establishment of a new UQ spinout company. Meredith has supervised >5 students, organized a divisional seminar series, and served as a member and chair (2020) of the early and mid-career researchers association (EMCRA) of the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB). She was recently nominated and selected to win the IMB’s ‘Unsung Hero’ award as recognition for the leadership and support she provided to the IMB EMCR community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meredith is at a critical juncture in her career as she aims to transition to independence. Networking and visibility are critical for her ability to establish her own research program and obtain a position of leadership so that she can continue her research career and mentor the next generation of scientists.
Dr Eileen Roulis
Dr Eileen Roulis is a Senior Research Fellow with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, and Adjunct Lecturer at QUT. Eileen’s research at Lifeblood harnesses genetic and bioinformatics technologies to make blood transfusion safer, with a particular focus on pathogens and emerging risks, and immunohaematology. Her work ensures that chronically transfused patients are provided the most appropriately matched and safest blood and blood products. Eileen’s 2016 PhD thesis earned an Outstanding Doctoral Thesis award from QUT. She has published 20 peer-reviewed papers, accumulating over 260 citations, and an H index of 8. Eileen is dedicated to making science accessible to students, and sharing her knowledge with the next generation of laboratory and informatics scientists. She’s taught in both undergraduate and post-graduate subjects including microbiology, pathology and molecular biology, and co-supervised two successful PhD candidates. Eileen’s influence already extends across the globe, with fruitful collaborations in Europe, India and Africa. She published a review on the XK blood group and McLeod syndrome with a team of physicians and haematologists from Switzerland, and presented a guest lecture at the National Institute of Immunohaematology in Mumbai. Eileen is currently mentoring a PhD research student from the Kenyan Ministry of Health. Together, they’re running knowledge sharing workshops understanding the distribution of significant blood types within the donor population. Alongside her scientific achievements, Eileen is actively developing her leadership capability. She’s completed the Lifeblood Leadership Foundations course, and leads a team of three research staff. In the next stage of her career, she aspires to mentor a team of local and international researchers and students employing genomic technologies for transfusion safety, while pursuing further professional development as a team leader.
Dr Carolina Soekmadji
I am an early/mid-career researcher with a passion for improving health outcomes for cancer patients. I am driven to develop a new management strategy for cancer patients by utilising extracellular vesicles, cellular messengers secreted by cells into the extracellular milieu, allowing targeted treatment and rapid detection of treatment response to improve the management of cancer patients. My work has been recognised globally through multiple international grants, including as a Principal Investigator on two grants awarded by the United States Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program. I was also elected as a board member (2016-2020) for the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV). In 2020, I received a prestigious ISEV Special Educational Award for leading the development of a Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) on 'Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Diseases' involving 54 experts. To date, we have >4500 students enrolled in the MOOC. Currently, I am serving as a member of three task forces under the ISEV Rigor and Standardisation Subcommittee. As a woman of minority working in science, I have faced many challenges along the way. During the pandemic, I realised that I could also help others by establishing an online channel, WebEVTalk, for researchers to share their knowledge and progress globally. The WebEVTalk has grown substantially with >2800 followers on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube) and >95 lectures. WebEVTalk also supports young researchers by providing opportunities to share their work on an international scale. WebEVTalk has maintained 50:50 ratio of female and male speakers, providing equal opportunities for women to work in the field of extracellular vesicles.
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[collapse title="LSQ Rural and Regional Service Award" position="closed"]
Recognises a person whose dedication contributes to the ongoing success and sustainability of regional Queensland’s life sciences industry.
Kristy Lakin
My name is Kristy Lakin, and I am CEO and Founder of Unite Global Technologies Pty Ltd. I have been part of Life Sciences Queensland’s Catalyst program since June 2020, have progressed through the Advanced Queensland Start-up On-ramp and have completed Impact Innovations/TAFE/ Life Sciences QLD Accelerator program, in which I obtained a Certificate IV in small business management. I also achieved Gold Membership status from ANZMHA and awarded free admission to all their conferences throughout the year Our company has also just applied for a CRC Grant under the Care Economy. From our company’s perspective it’s extremely valuable that the concept of this product has the research backed knowledge that will come with involvement in this CRC Research Project (if approved). This will ensure the direction and development of both the technical component and therapy delivery within the treatment system are future ready and world class. This truly ignites my passions for this subject and gives me some hope for the future technological advancements, and our health and social structures we are leaving our grandchildren. My future ambitions and visions for my start-up, Unite Global Technologies Pty Ltd, is to become the No. 1 scientifically backed and proven Virtual Reality MHealth platform on a global scale. I believe with passion, grit and the right team beside me, we will be able to achieve this, and not only be a positive and disruptive influence on the industry as a whole, but also a driving healing force in the lives of millions of individuals living with C-PTSD and mental ill health.
Kelly McGrath
The greater the distance a person lives from a metropolitan area, the greater their risk of experiencing poor mental health, including self-harm and suicidal ideation. Small, outlying communities such as those in the Isaac region often struggle to attract and retain mental health workers. As Care Navigator, I am integral in linking help-seekers with all the supports they may need to improve their mental wellbeing, assist with referrals, make appointments with service providers, and providing a confidential Telehealth facility for online counselling sessions with our partner psychologists. This has made a significant difference to people from the Isaac region to receive much-needed support that is timely, appropriate, and for the first time, removes many of the barriers associated with accessing specialist health care in the region. By collaborating with providers, I developed a comprehensive database of mental health and wrap-around providers that includes information about eligibility criteria, referral pathways, fees and waiting times, which ensures that I can provide a “no wrong door” service to the community. Service providers can access this information so that they, too, can simplify the pathway to comprehensive, coordinated mental health care. As part of my role, I am committed to removing the stigma around mental health. I have established a monthly mental wellbeing newsletter which includes personal stories of mental health experiences from community members to destigmatise what it means to live with a mental illness. By using my own lived experience of mental health in a regional town, I have started an open, non-clinical dialogue and encouraged more people to access the support that they need.Prof. Neena Mitter
Avocado: Queensland continues to produce the majority of Australian avocados, with 69% of the total production recorded in 2020-21. Mitter lab’s innovative work on Avocado propagation delivers into economic, social, and environmental benefits to Queensland regions. It delivers reduced environmental footprint from reduced inputs (water/chemical/fertilisers/land/soil) at reduced risk to industry (no dependence on seed/cutting seasonality). It also will contribute to fulfilling increased domestic demand and >10% export goal of ‘Premium-Australian’ fruit especially to the emerging Asia-pacific markets. The availability of desired avocado rootstocks will boost productivity, exports, and jobs across the supply chain. The translation of novel avocado propagation system from lab to orchard has been validated through field trials at Childers (Central Queensland) and Lakeland (North Queensland) in strong partnership with avocado growers.BioClay Platform: Pesticide resistance, lack of pathogen specificity, persistence of residues, run-off into our precious waterways, potential harm to human health and the environment are major issues with current crop protection practices. Indeed, harmful concentrations of pesticides have been detected up to 60 km inside the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The novel delivery platform of RNA based biopesticides or RNA vaccines for plants addresses these concerns and will provide growers of horticultural and broad acre crops in Queensland regions with safe and sustainable way to protect crops . It resonates with the future consumer looking for clean food products with responsible environmental credentials that lessens the use of chemical pesticides.In addition, Prof Mitter champions diversity and inclusion as the Chair of Cultural Inclusion Council at UQ, and the Deputy Council member of the Leadership Council of Cultural Diversity led by Australian Human Rights Commission. Prof Mitter’s work is a testament to her championship as a global change maker towards developing future leaders increasing Queensland’s international presence and global collaborations.
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[collapse title="LSQ QIMR Berghofer Woman of Influence Award" position="closed"]
In collaboration with QIMR Berghofer, this award recognises an individual woman in the mid to late stage of her career, for her endeavours, passion and dedication to the life sciences industry over her established career.
Dr Trudi Collet
I met Dr Trudi Collet at a QUT innovation function I attended in the hope of finding someone in the Life Sciences space who could help me achieve my aspirations. Several attendees described her as one of Australia’s leading native plant-based biochemists, and we were introduced. Trudi’s passion for biological innovation and preservation was immediately apparent and I consider it unsurpassed. Her passion comes from her heart and her experiences in life and supporting the health of others. Dr Collet has contributed immensely to helping me with my aspirations for Our Eco Bee, a Life Sciences startup. Despite her busy schedule, she makes time to share her knowledge mentor me in Life Sciences, negotiations, and intellectual property protection for Our Eco Bee’s upcoming projects. She has become a founding shareholder of Our Eco Bee Pty Ltd, a LSQ member. Dr Trudi Collet is a former Postdoctoral Research Fellow of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. Evidence of her innovation capabilities and creativity can be seen from her two TedX Brisbane presentations about curing Zika Virus and treating Dengue using Australian native plants, for which she has achieved valuable Patents. Additionally, Dr Collet has recently co-authored a book that has been published by Springer Nature Group titled “Medicinal Plants for Lung Diseases – A Pharmacological and Immunological Perspective”. All of these achievements have demonstrated her contribution to globally raising the profile and wealth impact of Queensland’s innovative life sciences industry. Her aspirations to take her career to the next level is both authentic and altruistic and is demonstrated by her achievements in a very short space of time.
Prof. Neena Mitter
Prof Mitter’s career over the past 30 years has been shaped by her commitment to utilising translational research to deliver outcomes to the life science sector in partnership with industry and end-users. Recent Awards: India Australia Business Community (IABC) - Australia India Science, Research and Development Award, Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering Fellowship, The University of Queensland Partners in Research Excellence Award, Women in Technology Life Sciences Outstanding Award , Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Explorations Award. She became the inaugural Director, Centre for Horticulture Science, QAAFI, UQ in 2018 based on her demonstrated accomplishments of collaboration, diversity and partnered innovation to address global agricultural challenges. Under her leadership, the centre has >30 new projects, >$30m in industry funding, >250publications, >60 industry, government, and university partnerships across Australia, >25 global collaborations, multiple commercially relevant high impact research outcomes and most importantly strengthened diversity and inclusion throughout this journey. She is not only the first woman but also first woman of colour serving as Centre Director at QAAFI. Her global innovations include ' Non-GM and Non-toxic BioClay spray for crop protection’, ‘Single dose- shelf stable Nanovaccines for animal health and "Clonal propagation of avocado using plant stem cells" showcase cross-functional research and exceptional industry engagement to address global challenges of agriculture and food security. She has influenced policy change for use of RNA based biopesticides, practice change in avocado propagation and is currently leading the development of ‘Protected Cropping for tropics and subtropics’ mitigating climate change and supply chain issues. She is the Chair of Cutlural Council at UQ and the Deputy Council member of the Leadership Council of Cultural Diversity led by Australian Human Rights Commission infuencing workplace diversity and inclusion. Prof Mitter excels in outreach to academia, industry, government, and ag-sector stakeholders with > 150 oral presentations at various forums influencing adoption of innovations and strategic directions. Her science communications in prestigious journals include Nature Plants, Trends in Plant Science, Nature Nanotechnology and PNAS. She has featured in Catalyst, Landline, ABC news, National Geographic, New Scientist, Fresh Fruit Plaza, World Science Festival and multiple print and television media.
Prof. Colleen Nelson
Professor Nelson is an internationally recognised leader in translational prostate cancer research. In addition to her scientific discoveries and their translation into clinical and commercial applications, Professor Nelson has supervised more than 50 female higher degree research students and is Chair of Prostate Cancer Research at QUT. As Founder and Director of the Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre Queensland (APCRC-Q) she fosters the development of the Centre’s staff, more than 70% of whom are female at various career levels. Professor Nelson is continually innovating. Her laboratory made seminal discoveries that have helped understand prostate cancer progression to lethal stages and to develop therapeutic interventions translated from the laboratory to the clinic. Professor Nelson also founded a high-density microarray facility for Genome Canada that produced gene expression, Genome wide DNA and protein arrays for Canadian scientists, biotech companies and government applications for over a decade. In her career, she has founded two prestigious prostate cancer research centres, multiple international alliances, and played a key role in establishing the largest multi-disciplinary team of researchers addressing advanced prostate cancer in Australia. Her contributions extend to the not-for-profit sector, where she created the Global Action Plan for the Movember Foundation to accelerate prostate cancer research outcomes through global collaboration. Professor Nelson established the APCRC-Q, a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary centre that engages in research partnerships with institutes and industry partners around the globe. She also established the Australian-Canadian Prostate Cancer Research Alliance, with 285 scientists and clinicians, promoting scientific collaboration with Queensland-based institutions and a concept of scientific tourism to Queensland. Professor Nelson’s impact has been felt across the life sciences industry in Queensland for more than 25 years as she has been involved in and led industry partnerships with biotech and large pharma in the development of cancer therapeutics. Professor Nelson’s impacts were recognised as she has been named a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to medical research, particularly to prostate cancer, through academic, research, and advisory positions, founding roles in organisations, associated international bodies, and to professional, community and health organisations through membership, leadership roles and publications.
Dr Fiona Simpson
Fiona Simpson is a mid-career life scientist who discovered that by delaying the uptake of cancer immunotherapy by tumour cells to prolong the duration that the drug remains at the tumor cell surface, the patient’s immune system mounts a better attack on the tumour, improving patient outcomes. As a result, she realised she could apply her invention to other types of drugs in other diseases. Endocytosis Inhibition in Humans to Improve Responses to ADCC-Mediating Antibodies. Chew, H. […] and Simpson, F. (2020). Cell 180 (5) 895-914.e27 (citations 33): Editorial Highlight described her research as a "missing piece", a completely novel and clinically usable approach to improvement of therapy, noting the applicability of her published technologies to a wide range of drug targets. It was featured by global and national media, including "Fierce" biotech, ABC Ockham’s Razor podcast, Radio National, ABC Norman Swan "Health Matters", and Channel Ten "The Project". Fiona’s passion and enthusiasm for her work is infectious – she assembles large cross-disciplinary translational teams including oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, medicinal chemists, protein biochemists, clinical pharmacologists, immunologists, cell biologists and biochemists. With multiple granted patents, her partnership with Merck KgAa brought this work to a completed phase 1 trial and will soon enter phase 2 trials. Her post-graduate students and post-docs find her a source of unyielding encouragement and optimism. Their prizes and bursaries include EMBL scholarship, Garnette Passe and ARC Future Fellowships. She is a huge contributor to science education, including Science in the Pub. Her ABC Podcast was nominated for an AACR science communication award. To take her career to the next level, she is translating her discoveries in cell trafficking and antibody adjuvants to novel immunotherapies for cancer. Her multi-institutional team involves researchers from Sloane Kettering, Newcastle, CMRI, Peter Mac, UQ, Metro South, Telix Pharmaceuticals and Merck KgAa.
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[collapse title="LSQ McCullough Robertson Industry Excellence Award" position="closed"]
In collaboration with McCullough Robertson, this award is presented to an individual that has made a significant impact to the success of the Queensland life sciences industry over their career.
Prof. Ian Frazer AC
Professor Ian Frazer is a clinician scientist, trained as a clinical immunologist in Scotland. As a professor at the University of Queensland, he leads a research group working at TRI in Brisbane, Australia on the immunobiology of epithelial cancers. He is recognised as co-inventor of the technology enabling the HPV vaccines, currently used worldwide to help prevent cervical cancer. He heads a biotechnology company, Jingang Medicine (Aus) Pty Ltd, working on new vaccine technologies, and is a board member of several companies and not for profit organisations. He was the inaugural president of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, and a member of the Australian National Science and Technology Council. He chairs the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board of the Medical Research Future Fund. He was recognised as Australian of the Year in 2006. He was recipient of the Prime Ministers Prize for Science, and of the Balzan Prize, in 2008, and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 2012. He was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2013. Prof Ian Frazer continues to be an integral part of the life science ecosystem including playing advisory and director roles for a range of emerging companies including Microba Life Sciences.
Prof. Neena Mitter
Prof Neena Mitter is the Director of the Centre for Horticultural Science, QAAFI, the University of Queensland. She is also the Director of the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Sustainable Crop protection. Her career and passion for delivering real world outcomes has received recognitions such as Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, Women in Technology Outstanding Life Sciences Award, and Gates Grand Challenges Explorations Award and many more. She is globally renowned for her leadership of Queensland owned and invented innovative transdisciplinary platform technologies influencing food and nutritional security, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic dynamics of farming community. She has >120 publications, multiple patents and has supervised >20 PhD students. In a World’s first, Prof Mitter has developed a truly transformational Ag -Nano based BioClay platform to deliver a non-toxic, non-GM, environmentally sustainable crop protection as an alternative to chemical pesticides. It addresses the issue of pesticide resistance, safety and run off to our precious water ways. BioClay is progressing towards commercialisation with Nufarm Australia Limited as industry partner for translation to field and to the supermarket trolley. In another world’s first, Prof Mitter has developed the novel plant stem cell-based propagation of avocado that can generate 500 plants from a single avocado cutting. It resonates with sustainability operating at ~33-times higher resource efficiency in terms of time, materials, space, and manpower. The technology has progressed to licensing for real-world outcomes. In addition, Prof Mitter champions diversity and inclusion as the Chair of Cultural Inclusion Council at UQ, and the Deputy Council member of the Leadership Council of Cultural Diversity led by Australian Human Rights Commission.With increased scrutiny on use of chemicals as crop and animal disease control agents, climate change and recent pandemic, Prof Mitter is focussed is developing platforms for the ‘agriculture of tomorrow’ with Queensland as the global leader in the Agrifood sector.Dr Patrick Silvey
A passion for the potential of science to enhance life and protect the planet drove me to study science. However, I eventually worked out that I would likely have a greater impact by following a different path – one where I sat at the interface between academic research and the investors and industry partners needed to fund and enable transformational science. My experience in scientific research, finance, economics, entrepreneurship and collaboration enabled me to come up with creative and innovative ways to bring collaborators together, and to design, cost and assess the returns to society from scientific discovery and applied research. The teams I worked with through VenturePro and PwC over more than 20 years have secured >$1.7 billion in cash to support game-changing research and translation. From the establishment of initiatives like TetraQ and UQCCR in the early 2000’s, to the Herston Biofabrication Institute, Vaxxas Northshore Facility, Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program, Microba, QBI Therapeutic Ultrasound program and the Australian Vaccine Response Alliance in recent years, I have had the privilege to work with the very best scientists across more than 200 innovative life sciences projects. Along the way I have given a proportion of my time probono and held honorary positions (QUT Research and Innovation Committee, iLab Advisory Panel, BDF Investment Panel). I have worked closely with leaders in our State Government Departments, co-writing dozens of reports and reviews in Life Sciences, MedTech and International Science Collaboration. At the Commonwealth level I also recently co-authored two key reports for the National Soil Strategy and the Review of the National Pollutant Inventory. I would like to use the bursary to support a workshop(s) with LSQ to help early career scientists to ensure their passion and projects are best positioned for enduring impact and to attract the right partners and investors.[/collapse]
