Core Facility Professional Development Conference

PROGRAM (subject to change) 

Monday 28 October 2024 

08:00am Registration, Trade show, Tea and Coffee available

09:00am Conference Begins

Conference opening – Professor Kerrie Wilson, Queensland Chief Scientist

Welcome address - Professor Paul Bonnington (Bonno), Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), The University of Queensland

Plenary - The role of research infrastructure and capability for developing lasting industry relationships for translational research by Professor Kristofer Thurecht, Deputy Director (Research), Australian Institute of Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland

10:20am Morning tea and Trade show

Panel session – Core Career Paths: How do we make changes that are enduring and embedded in workplace culture, policy and systems?

12:30pm Lunch and Trade show

Concurrent workshops - Maximising Efficiency: Education for Users and Staff Training in Core Facilities, and Maximising the Impact of Research Infrastructure

03:10pm Afternoon tea and Trade show

Plenary - The long and winding road: Adelaide Microscopy and the Adelaide Biobank core facilities by Mr Angus Netting, Director Adelaide Microscopy & Adelaide Biobank, The University of Adelaide

04:30pm Conference close, Trade show and gelato until 5:30pm

05:30pm Make own way to conference dinner venue

06:00pm Conference dinner with Associate Professor Fiona Simpson, Principal Research Fellow, Frazer Institute, at Hillstone St Lucia. Event ends 10:30pm.

Tuesday 29 October 2024

08:00am Trade show, Tea and Coffee available

09:00am Conference begins

Plenary - Tackling Cancer on a Tiny Scale: Role of facilities in advancing research by Professor Maria Kavallaris AM, Children’s Cancer Institute

Panel session - Core Industry Engagement: how do facilities engage with commercial users? 

11:10am Morning tea and Trade show

Concurrent workshops - Keeping Cores Sustainable: Leveraging innovation, finances and evaluation tools, and Connecting Cores with Community; exploring the impact of engagement activities 

01:10pm Lunch and Trade show

Plenary - Research infrastructure in the social sciences: emergent opportunities and challenges by Professor Jonathan Corcoran FASSA, Deputy Associate Dean (Researcher Development), Faculty of Science, The University of Queensland and National Scientific Advisory Committee, Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN)

03:10pm Conference Closing Remarks

03:30pm Networking drinks and nibbles

05:00pm Event ends

Conference Opening - Professor Kerrie Wilson, Queensland Chief Scientist

Professor Kerrie Wilson commenced in the role of the Queensland Chief Scientist on 1 November 2023.

Her distinguished career encompasses roles at QUT, including Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Research Integrity), and her tenure as the Executive Director of the QUT Institute for Future Environments.

Professor Wilson is one of Australia’s leading researchers into the science, strategy and policy of conservation. With a track record in key leadership roles and driving collaboration with national and international stakeholders, she will ensure Queensland remains at the forefront of science.

Before joining QUT in 2019, Professor Wilson was the Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions and an ARC Future Fellow at The University of Queensland.

She is also an Affiliated Professor in Conservation Science at The University of Copenhagen, a member of the Australian Heritage Council, and previously a member of the Reef 2050 Plan Independent Expert Panel.

Professor Wilson has held leadership positions including Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy Australia and the Australian Natural Sciences Commissioner for UNESCO.

She has received numerous awards, including the Prime Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year, the Australian Academy of Science Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science, two ARC Research Fellowships and an Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Outstanding Young Researcher.

She holds a Bachelor in Environmental Science (First Class Honours) from the University of Queensland and a PhD from The University of Melbourne, undertaken in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre, based in Cambridge.

Welcome Address - Professor Paul (Bonno) Bonnington

As Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Paul Bonnington is responsible for enhancing the University’s performance and reputation in research, research training and research collaboration with external stakeholders, nationally and internationally.

Paul received his PhD in Mathematics from Massey University in New Zealand. He joined the Department of Mathematics at the University of Auckland in 1994, moving to the role of Associate Dean, Faculty of Science in 2002 and subsequently Director of eResearch in 2004. 

Paul moved to Monash University in 2008, taking on directorship of eResearch, while also maintaining a role as Professor with the School of Mathematical Sciences and then the Monash Department of Data Science and AI in the Faculty of Information Technology.

Paul undertook a Visiting Professorship with King’s College London in 2018, and has sat on numerous boards across the Australian and International eResearch sectors.

Since joining The University of Queensland in 2022 as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure), Paul has built strong connections with researchers and industry, enabling them to access UQ’s world-class infrastructure and facilities.

Paul commenced his term as Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) in 2024.

Plenary - Professor Kristofer Thurecht

Professor Kris Thurecht is Deputy Director (Research) of the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, and oversees the vast imaging capabilities within the Advanced Imaging at AIBN facility. Building upon this world-class infrastructure, he is the Director of the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals (AMTAR) and was theme lead and CI in the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in BioMedical Imaging Technology (CIBIT). He is a member of the ARC College of Experts.

Kris is associated editor for the American Chemical Society journal, Molecular Pharmaceutics and sits on various boards and advisory panels across the field of imaging and theranostics. He has a strong focus on industry engagement and collaborates extensively across Australia and internationally.

Kris’s research focuses on the development of theranostics, spanning both nanomedicines and biotherapeutics. His team works across the boundaries of chemistry and materials, biology, engineering and imaging science to probe how material properties affect their function in complex systems, spanning small and large animals. The team particularly focuses on utilising advanced molecular imaging to investigate the intricate interplay between structure and function of molecules in vivo, with emphasis on understanding targeted radiopharmaceuticals for both imaging and therapy.

 Kris has been a champion of the development of a new academic category at UQ enabling career pathways and greater recognition for the valuable work done by Platform Academics.

Plenary - Professor Maria Kavallaris AM FAHMS FRSN

Professor Maria Kavallaris AM FAHMS FRSN is Founding Director of the Australian Centre for NanoMedicine at UNSW Sydney, Head of Translational Cancer NanoMedicine at the Children’s Cancer Institute, Australia. 

Working at the interface of medicine, science and engineering, their innovation in driving interdisciplinary research in cancer nanomedicine has led to industry and clinical linkages for the development of cancer therapeutics and devices. Impact in innovation are recognised through awards including the 2017 Premiers Science & Engineering Award for Leadership in Innovation, 2019 Lemberg Medal, 2021 ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative use of Technology, and the 2023 Walter Burfitt Prize from the Royal Society of New South Wales.

In 2020, Maria was named the NSW Woman of the Year.

Plenary - Angus Netting

Angus Netting currently holds the position of Director of Adelaide Microscopy, the University of Adelaide's Centre for Advanced Microscopy and Microanalysis. He is also the South Australian Node director for the NCRIS Microscopy Australia.

Angus studied Chemistry at Flinders University in the early 1980’s and worked as an Industrial Chemist for a number of  years before taking up a position in Surface Analysis at the University of SA.

He joined the University of Adelaide in 2001 as a Senior Microscopist. He was appointed Director in 2014.  He convened and chaired the NCRIS Microscopy Australia Industry Engagement Committee 2020 – 2024 and was President of AMAS, Australian Microbeam Analysis Society AMAS, 2009 -2012, 2019 –2022.

In 2015 Angus was asked to direct the newly formed Biobank at the University of Adelaide, formed to manage the safe storage of irreplaceable research materials. The Adelaide Biobank is one of the leading University Biobanks in Australia.

His main area of interest is in x-ray analysis in Electron Microscopy. 

In 2009 he convened the tenth Biennial AMAS Symposium and in 2014 convened the 23rd Australian Conference for Microscopy and Microanalysis ACMM23. He has presented numerous invited talks to both the American and European Microanalysis Society meetings.

Plenary - Professor Jonathan Corcoran

Jonathan is a human geographer within the School of the Environment and Deputy Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Science at The University of Queensland. Jonathan is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, Australia (FASSA), and a member of the national scientific advisory committee for the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN).

Jonathan's interests lie at the intersection of human geography, regional science, sociology, and criminology in understanding how human mobility shapes and is shaped by our urban systems and in turn impacts social sustainability; how regional economic growth and development is governed by human capital migration; and how big data and spatial analytics can be effectively harnessed to inform smarter policy.

Jonathan's interest in geography and the socio-spatial sciences began early on in his academic career. Completing his undergraduate studies in geography and a masters degree in geographic information science, where he focused on developing a broad understanding of key statistical, modelling and spatial analytic methods. He then went on to earn a PhD in human geography and computer science, where he focused on modelling the complex relationship between mobility, land use and crime.

Conference Dinner with Associate Professor Fiona Simpson

Associate Professor Fiona Simpson is a Research Fellow in the Frazer Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland.  She completed her PhD on cellular trafficking at the University of Cambridge, UK. She was then a Wellcome Trust Prize Post-doctoral fellow at The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, working on trafficking and endocytosis of RTKs. Fiona is currently a Fellow of the Queensland Head and Neck Cancer Centre.

The Simpson lab research program is focused directly on the translation of research findings into new cancer therapies and has generated a novel method for antibody-mediated cancer therapy and associated companion diagnostic methods which are covered by three international patents, now licenced. Fiona was the lead scientific investigator on a Phase I proof of concept study of the novel therapy in head and neck cancer (HREC/15/QPAH/48) and Phase IB dose escalation trail (CESTEM-1), now completed. Currently HER2Pro open for recruitment. She is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow.

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Workshop - Maximising Efficiency: Education for Students and Staff Training in Core Facilities

Eva Orlowski-Oliver

Eva Orlowski-Oliver, SCYM(ASCP), is the Research Flow Core Manager at the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Her role involves educating, training, and supporting research staff who utilise flow cytometry technology.

Starting her passion of science during her honours year through the University of Melbourne, it was followed by 7 years working as an RA under Associate Professor Mark Hogarth at the Burnet Institute. Eva found her love of flow cytometry through experiments at the bench and soon moved to working in the AMREP Flow core facility under the guidance of Geza Paukovics. Over 5 years Eva became the Assistant Manager of the core and most recently became the Research Flow Core Manager at the PeterMac Cancer Centre where she is supported by an excellent team of experts, achieving the ISAC SRL Recognition Award.

Eva is deeply committed to continuined education and training of researchers as well as core staff. She is an active member of ISAC (International Society for Advancement of Cytometry) and has made publications in Cytometry A. She actively takes part in the SRL Recognition Program task force and is the SRL Committee Chair. Additionally, she contributes to ACS (Australasian Cytometry Society) workshops, virtual presentations, and conference committees. Eva believes in providing young students with opportunities to explore careers in science, often hosting them for site visits or work experience. 

Eva is always happy to engage in conversations about flow cytometry, SRL management, or the A-League.

Tanya Lennane

Tanya Lennane is the Senior Manager, Research Facilities and Infrastructure at University of Queensland Biological Resources (UQBR) and Translational Research Institute (TRI). She has 34 years’ experience working within the Biomedical Industry. She started her career in 1990 as an animal technician, before then transitioning into reproductive and genetic modification for approximately 11 years. Over the next 23 years Tanya held a variety of management positions at Monash University Animal Research Platform that both incorporated Facility Management and Senior Operational Management of seven animal facilities along with managing a large Reproductive/Genomic Modification Laboratory. Tanya also spent a period of time as a Divisional Head for Monash Animal Research Platform. Her areas of expertise include senior leadership, multifaceted facility management, continuous improvement, relationship management, governance & policy, project management, risk management, stakeholder management, team leadership, management communication, budgeting & planning, strategic planning, reproductive expertise, quality assurance, and service planning.

Dr. Lucie Leveque-El Mouttie

Dr. Lucie Leveque-El Mouttie is the Senior Flow Cytometry Scientist at the Translational Research Institute (TRI). Lucie holds a PhD in immunology/haematology and brings over a decade of expertise in flow cytometry. She excels in advising on optimising research approaches and has a deep background in Imaging flow cytometry and Spectral flow cytometry.

At the Flow Cytometry and Imaging Facility at QIMR Berghofer, Lucie has been pivotal in supporting researchers with high-parameter panel design, experimental setup, and high-dimensional data analysis. She has also worked with external companies to design and validate flow cytometry assays for clinical trials under GLP compliance in a NATA-accredited facility.

As the Senior Flow Cytometry Scientist at the TRI Flow Cytometry Facility, Lucie is deeply passionate about educating researchers and advancing best practices in the field, dedicating her efforts to training, workshops, and fostering a culture of excellence in flow cytometry.  An active member of the CORES conference committee, she is committed to addressing and overcoming challenges within core facilities through collaboration and innovation.

Dr Nigel Waterhouse

Dr Nigel Waterhouse completed a Bachelor of Science at University College Dublin (Ireland) followed by a PhD at QIMR and UQ (Brisbane) and post-doctoral research at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (USA) and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Melbourne). He moved to the Mater Medical Research Institute (Brisbane) to run the Apoptosis and Cytotoxicity Laboratory followed by QIMR Berghofer where he is currently the Microscopy Facility Manager. During his research, he helped elucidate key mechanisms of cell death triggered by radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy was awarded various fellowship including a Peter Doherty Fellowship, an RD Wright Fellowship and a Career Development Award from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), and a Futures Fellowship from the Australian Research Council (ARC). His current passions are Technology, Innovation, and Change, and his current obsession is Spatial Cell Biology and Digital Pathology.

Workshop led by Dr Lucie Leveque-El Mouttie, Flow Cytometry Manager, Translational Research Institute, and Dr Nigel Waterhouse, Core Facility Manager - Flow Cytometry and Imaging, QIMR Berghofer

Workshop - Keeping Cores Sustainable: Leveraging innovation, finances and evaluation tools

Ben Hughes

Ben Hughes is a Bioengineer with extensive hands-on and broad-spectrum experience that is unique in the Australian Biotech arena. He is the Director of Strategic Development, Biologics and RNA Products at Therapeutic Innovation Australia, as well as the interim Director of the National Biologics Facility (NBF) at UQ. Ben brings 20+ years of experience in process development through to commercialisation of biopharmaceuticals (such as monoclonal antibodies and vaccines), and a proven track record of developing successful teams and implementing service and quality systems up to current good manufacturing practices (cGMP). 

Ben previously worked in a global technical role within contract manufacturing organisation Patheon by Thermo Fisher as well as Head of Manufacturing at both Brisbane and St Louis facilities that produced biologics drug substance for clinical trials through to FDA-approved commercial supply. In the US, he also developed and manufactured cGMP vaccines with Merck and Co, Inc., and supported commercial plasma-derived products with CSL in Melbourne. Ben also has extensive experience in the full value chain of facility and equipment design, start-up and validation activities.  

Yvette Wyborn

Yvette Wyborn leads the eResearch Delivery Team within the Research Infrastructure division at Queensland University of Technology. She believes technology is key to creating a more empathetic, inclusive, accessible, and innovative world. In her role, Ms. Wyborn guides Business Analysts and Project Coordinators, aligning strategic plans with practical solutions to advance eResearch initiatives for QUT's research community.

Dr Leon Scott

Dr Leon Scott is the Director of Research Infrastructure Operations at QUT.  In that role, he is responsible for the development and operation of QUT’s very broad portfolio of research infrastructure including: Biofutures and biorefining, future food, biomedical manufacturing, clean energy, including renewable energy, hydrogen and battery technology, robotics, space technology, horticulture, ecology, creative industries and most things in between. 

Dr Scott has three decades of operational and strategic leadership in research, health and manufacturing facilities; including at The University of Queensland, Queensland Health, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and now Queensland University of Technology.  In this time, he has collaborated with innumerable research, government and commercial partners.  Dr Scott is passionate about working with researchers and industry to transform innovative ideas into real world impact, and to help create the industries and jobs of the future.

Dr Sarah McAtamney

Dr Sarah McAtamney, the Senior Research Infrastructure Officer at Griffith University, is passionate about contributing to collaborative, strategic and productive research infrastructure to support research and industry. 

After 13 years as an infectious disease drug discovery researcher at the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Sarah moved into technical coordination and logistics with Griffith Sciences.  Working with researchers, technical staff and management across three academic schools and seven research centres and institutes, Sarah was coordinator for a major program of research infrastructure redevelopment and led a health and safety cultural change.

In 2023, Sarah joined the central Dean Research Infrastructure team at Griffith, to support university-wide uplift in management of the research infrastructure lifecycle, including optimised infrastructure usage, strategic equipment replacement and sustainable operation of core facilities.  In this role, she aims to deliver strategic, creative and useful solutions to support research infrastructure facilities and professionals on the ground.  Sarah also represents Griffith University at the Queensland Research Infrastructure Alliance and has established a Queensland Community of Practice for research infrastructure management professionals.

Workshop led by Dr Sarah McAtamney, Senior Research Infrastructure Project Officer, Griffith University, and Dr Leon Scott, Director, Research Infrastructure Operations, QUT

Workshop - Maximising the Impact of Research Infrastructure

Dr Natalie Jones

Dr Natalie Jones is the Senior Advisor, Research Strategy at QUT. In this role, Natalie provides leadership on analytics projects that support strategic planning and decision making, ensuring the university is well informed and able to anticipate and plan for change with respect to research activities.

Natalie leads the development and implementation of the university’s strategy for research engagement and impact, which aims to raise the visibility of engagement and impact outcomes at QUT. Working with staff across the Research Portfolio and key stakeholders across the university, Natalie also provides data analytics expertise and knowledge with the purpose of identifying opportunities and actions to leverage research funding, and strengthen research quality, engagement and impact.

During her research career, Natalie held postdoctoral appointments across the USA, UK and Australia and brings this experience to her work in evaluating academic research effort. Pivotal to this experience is the ability to appreciate and interpret the complexities of the research sector and to develop strategies that will promote university research performance.

Tom Court

With 2032 poised to deliver significant economic benefits to Queensland, Tom Court is tasked with developing large-scale initiatives that integrate urban design with sustainable infrastructure practices. 

Prior to joining the Strategic Partnerships team, Tom was responsible for driving UQ’s broader research impact and engagement agenda while managing researcher development programs, initiatives, and resources. With postgraduate qualifications in organisational and performance psychology, Tom brings extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, research impact, and strategic collaboration, with a proven track record of delivering mutually beneficial solutions.

Before returning to UQ, Tom spent over a decade in Europe as an international professional rugby union player, representing Ireland and the British and Irish Lions in a distinguished career. He now focuses on driving innovative solutions in modern construction methods, placemaking, sustainable materials, quantum technology, property and construction economics, transport, hotels, tourism, and the social impact of urban development.

Tom’s role of embedding UQ’s urban design and sustainable infrastructure research capabilities is crucial for shaping resilient, accessible, and liveable cities, fostering a sustainable, inclusive society for Queensland’s prosperity and progress.

Workshop led by Dr Natalie Jones, Senior Advisor, Research Strategy, QUT, and Tom Court, Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships, UQ

Workshop - Connecting Cores with Community; exploring the impact of engagement activities 

Graeme Jones

Graeme Jones is the Managing Director of NewSpec Pty Ltd. Graeme grew up in country South Australia and travelled to Adelaide to complete a Science Degree at Flinders University. He now has over 30 years of sales and management experience in the scientific supply industry ranging from the sales of optics & lasers to light & electron microscopes. In his current role as Managing Director of NewSpec, Graeme is also responsible for sales in Australasia of Hitachi Electron Microscopes.

Graeme is passionate about Outreach and inspiring school students' interest in science. As such, he has been a key driver in the Inspire STEM Outreach partnership with Hitachi.

Dr Nancy Cloake

Nancy is the Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) Lead at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. Nancy is responsible for coordinating the Institute’s Consumer and Community Involvement Program called Better Health Together, which sees community members and people with lived experience of illness or chronic conditions partner with the Institute to influence, shape and co-deliver research projects. She supports both researchers and members of our community at all stages of the research cycle, ensuring involvement is meaningful for all.

Nancy trained as a medical researcher with a focus in novel treatments for Multiple Sclerosis, a devastating autoimmune condition, earning her PhD in 2015. Since leaving the laboratory bench she has held roles in communicating research, inspiring curiosity in science within the community and attracting support for research innovation. She has a keen interest in discoveries that improve human life and human health, and a passion to ensure this knowledge is built upon and shared so it may help those with the greatest need.

Lorrelle Allen

Lorrelle Allen is an accomplished Research Infrastructure Business Operations Manager with over twenty years of experience in managing a broad spectrum of research facilities and leading business operations in multi-disciplinary research environments.

After graduating with a BAppSci (Biotechnology), Lorrelle began her career as a Technical Specialist in the industrial chemistry industry where she developed strong skills in client engagement and communication, meeting customer needs, HSE, business improvement, compliance and establishing and maintaining quality systems. It was these skills that set the path for the move away from the lab bench when she joined the Institute of Biomedical Innovation (QUT) as Laboratory Coordinator, before quickly moving into the Laboratory and Building Services Manager role which involved supporting and facilitating research through the provision of Technical Services Team support, management of space and research infrastructure and ensuring compliance. 

In her current role, Lorrelle leads the Business Operations Team and contributes to strategic decision making across Research Infrastructure and contributes to larger university wide projects. She oversees a number of budgets and remains particularly focussed on business improvement activities and engagement. In addition to business operations, Lorrelle also manages the Samford Ecological Research Facility  and research occurring at the Redlands Research Facility.

Workshop led by Lorrelle Allen, Research Infrastructure Business Operations Manager, QUT and Dr Nancy Cloake, Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) Lead, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Panel Session - Core Career Paths: How do we make changes that are enduring and embedded in workplace culture, policy and systems?

Professor Ute Roessner AM FAA

Professor Roessner AM FAA is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Initiatives and Infrastructure) at the Australian National University and supports cross-university strategic research initiatives and university-scale research infrastructure. In particular, the team provides strategic support and advice to the University’s NCRIS (National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy) investments and coordinates a portfolio of strategic initiatives, each working to address society's most challenging issues.

Professor Roessner AM FAA has a PhD in Plant Biochemistry from the University of Potsdam and the Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology. She established a metabolomics platform as part of the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics and was instrumental in the setup of Metabolomics Australia and led the University of Melbourne node.

Prior to joining the ANU in 2022, Professor Roessner AM FAA was the Head of School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne. She is a Lifetime Honorary Fellow of the International Metabolomics Society, has been elected to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, been appointed as Member of the Order of Australia, and in 2022 was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

Emeritus Professor Joe Shapter

Emeritus Professor Joe Shapter received his PhD from the University of Toronto in 1990. He subsequently held a NSERC Fellowship at The University of Western Ontario before moving to Australia in 1996 to take up a position at Flinders University. Joe served as Dean of the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, heading the Flinders involvement in both Microscopy Australia and the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF). He was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) at The University of Queensland from 2018 to 2022. He served on the boards of several NCRIS facilities and is now a member of the National Research Infrastructure Advisory Group.

Dr Nyssa Drinkwater

Dr Nyssa Drinkwater is the Manager of Compounds Australia at the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University. Dr Drinkwater is an internationally experienced biomedical research specialist and program manager, with a history working in leading universities, medical research institutes, and commercial organisations.

Following completion of a PhD in drug discovery at the University of Queensland, Dr Drinkwater had a productive research career spanning large academic and industry drug discovery programs in both Australia (Monash University) and the United Kingdom (King’s College London). She transitioned to non-research positions in 2018, taking on a range of professional and management roles including scientific consultancy, communication, commercialisation, and research development (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, UniQuest, and Griffith University).

As Manager of Compounds Australia, she leads the development and implementation of the facility’s strategic and operational strategies to ensure the national facility continues to best enable the biomedical research community. Dr Drinkwater represents Compounds Australia within the drug discovery and compound management sectors, liaising with partners and stakeholders to develop and support new opportunities for Compounds Australia and its Members.

Dr Maria Soliman

Dr Maria Soliman is a research specialist at the Protein Expression Facility (PEF) at The University of Queensland. She earned her PhD in DNA-based vaccine development from The University of Queensland in 2022 and holds a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry. She joined PEF in June 2022, initially leading the Molecular Engineering Unit for a year. During her tenure, she expanded her expertise by overseeing the Baculovirus/Insect Cells Expression System and recently joined the Purification Team to further broaden her skill set. Her current research focuses on optimizing processes to reduce the time and cost associated with large-scale production.

Paul Collins

Paul graduated from James Cook University, Townsville Qld Australia with a BSc Honours in Chemistry with his focus on Natural products chemistry in marine plants and animals. This gave Paul a well-rounded exposure to using analytical instruments and techniques to elucidate unknown Secondary Metabolites.

After a short stint at the DPI in the National testing of agricultural products for Chemical residues and contaminants laboratory he moved to QIMR to lead the Peptides and Oligonucleotide synthesis unit. This tenure led Paul to have his first contact with DNA sequencing and the joys of pouring 80cm poly-acrylamide slab gels. Paul brings 25+ years of laboratory management and analytical skills to the Analytical Facility.

With the expansion of QIMR Berghofer into three buildings Paul was offered the position of Analytical Facility Manager and to lead a diverse team to provide services to QIMR Berghofer researchers and research laboratories on the RBWH campus and wider science community. This expansion introduced Paul to Next Generation sequencing and the niche field of transcriptomics which uses RNA transcripts produced by a genotype to provide a link between the genome, the proteome, and the cellular phenotype.

 Associate Professor Josh Lipton-Duffin

Josh obtained his PhD from Queen’s University (Kingston, ON Canada) in 2006. After postdoctoral research in Montreal and Trieste, he moved into an academic subgroup leadership role at INRS-EMT in Varennes, QC Canada. In 2015 he joined QUT as a principal research fellow in surface analysis in the newly minted Central Analytical Research Facility. In this role he took responsibility for transforming QUT’s surface analysis facilities from basic to world class, leveraging existing and new instrumentation to provide access and learning for researchers at all stages of their career.

Josh’s main research interest is in the structure and properties of new materials and chemical reactions that produce them. In all these cases surface physics is extremely relevant, as the interface between materials is where “all the action happens”. Surface analysis can be quite difficult, as access to the surface is often hindered by contaminants, side products, and even the atmosphere itself. These challenges often necessitate the use of high vacuum systems, which present new challenges in terms of accessibility, complexity, and throughput. Josh’s passion for instrumentation and technique development serve well in this context, and facilitate access and training to scientists wishing to leverage surface analysis to augment their research.

Adjunct Professor Sach Jayasinghe

Sach Jayasinghe is the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation (QCIF). QCIF provides digital research infrastructure to all Queensland universities and several national clients.

Concurrently Sach has two adjunct academic appointments. In his capacity as Adjunct Professor (Research Infrastructure) for the University of Queensland, he works with partners to uplift the State’s research infrastructure and leverage technology capabilities in establishing new industries such as synthetic biology, clean energy and quantum technologies. As Associate (Research Infrastructure) of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), he looks to collaborate on major national programs such as the Australian Research Data Common’s Planet Research Data Commons.  

Previously, Sach was the Director, Research Infrastructure, providing strategic input and overseeing the operations of QUT’s research infrastructure portfolio. Preceding QUT, Sach had several roles at the University of Melbourne. As Director of Research Strategy, on behalf of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), he oversaw the University’s strategic investments in research and innovation.

Sach is a Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Science, the Institute for Managers and Leaders, and the Association for Tertiary Education Management. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  

Session led by Adjunct Professor Sach Jayasinghe, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation (QCIF)

Panel Session - Core Industry Engagement: how do facilities engage with commercial users?

Dr Muhsen Aljada

Dr Muhsen Aljada is the Science Leader in the Chemistry Centre, Soil and Catchment Science, Science Division, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.

Muhsen is an innovative, results-oriented and decisive leader with highly developed leadership and management skills. He is experienced in project and change management and skilled at setting operational and long-term strategic plans as well as optimising organisational efficiency. Building partnerships and collaborations are his strengths and he has been recognised for his leadership capabilities in establishing high-performing and cross functional teams.

Dr Andrew Harvey

Dr Andrew Harvey is Head of Strategic Partnerships at UniQuest, where he leads the Queensland Emory Drug Discovery Initiative’s (QEDDI) national and international engagement and supports UQ’s strategic initiatives in therapeutics and vaccines. QEDDI is a small molecule drug discovery capability, dedicated to translating biomedical research into drug candidates, designed from the outset to address unmet patient need drawing on clinical and market feedback. With a focus on building highly collaborative teams focused on translation, QEDDI projects bring together scientific experts from academia with experienced drug discovery scientists recruited from industry.

Previously as Senior Director and Head of QEDDI (2016-2020), Dr Harvey led the establishment of this university-based drug discovery centre, including governance, team recruitment, and facility and pipeline management. Prior to joining UniQuest, Dr Harvey was the Vice President of Drug Discovery at Bionomics Ltd (2010-2016), a publicly listed Australian biotech developing treatments in neuroscience and oncology. In this role, he led chemistry and intellectual property in programs from hit identification to early clinical development, including an anxiolytic program currently in phase III trials, and a partnership with Merck & Co that resulted in phase I asset MK-4334 for cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease. Previously, Dr Harvey was an NHMRC Industry Fellow at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (Melbourne, Australia), where his research in multiple sclerosis led to a preclinical collaboration with Merck Serono. 

Dr Olusegun (Segun) Osunkoya

Dr Olusegun (Segun) Osunkoya is a principal ecologist with Biosecurity Queensland, Dept of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), based at the EcoSciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Brisbane. Segun’s current research interest is in the ecology for better management of established and emerging pests, especially weeds of the state of Queensland. His focus is mainly on the distribution/abundance, impact, and risk assessments of weeds at multiple landscape scales -  farm property, local government, regional, and state-wide levels. Prior to joining DAF in 2007 he worked as a lecturer  in universities in Nigeria, SE Asia (Brunei) and Australia.

John Ryan

John Ryan is Principal Scientist at the Queensland Government Hydraulics Laboratory, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation which provides technical expertise in coastal engineering and monitoring to support policy, research, planning, and disaster management. The unit manages the storm tide and wave monitoring networks along the Queensland coastline; administers the Tweed Sand Bypassing Project; and provides technical support to other agencies regarding coastal processes and modelling, and the associated impacts, including disaster management.

 Dr Nyssa Drinkwater

Dr Nyssa Drinkwater is the Manager of Compounds Australia at the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University. Dr Drinkwater is an internationally experienced biomedical research specialist and program manager, with a history working in leading universities, medical research institutes, and commercial organisations.

Following completion of a PhD in drug discovery at the University of Queensland, Dr Drinkwater had a productive research career spanning large academic and industry drug discovery programs in both Australia (Monash University) and the United Kingdom (King’s College London). She transitioned to non-research positions in 2018, taking on a range of professional and management roles including scientific consultancy, communication, commercialisation, and research development (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, UniQuest, and Griffith University).

As Manager of Compounds Australia, she leads the development and implementation of the facility’s strategic and operational strategies to ensure the national facility continues to best enable the biomedical research community. Dr Drinkwater represents Compounds Australia within the drug discovery and compound management sectors, liaising with partners and stakeholders to develop and support new opportunities for Compounds Australia and its Members.

Session led by Dr Alisa Becker, Associate Director, Enterprise Research Partnerships, UQ, and Dr Alex Cody,  Acting Manager, Science Development, Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist, Science Division, and Dr Nagaraj Gopisetty, Business Development Manager, Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University.

Joe Hayward

Joe Hayward is the Senior Manager of Maritime Services for North Queensland Bulk Ports.  His role leads NQBP’s maritime and pilotage services supporting safe, effective and efficient operations across the ports of Weipa, Abbot Point, Mackay and Hay Point.

Joe has more than 20 years of experience in the maritime industry across Australia and Papua New Guinea. This includes senior marine positions working in offshore oil and gas, construction and ports.

 Dr Nagaraj Gopisetty

Nagaraj Gopisetty is an experienced business executive and innovation advocate with over 14 years of experience in life sciences and healthcare, specialising in managing innovation, research translation, and commercialisation. He has a proven track record of success working across academia (QUT/qutbluebox, University of Newcastle/Newcastle Innovation, Translational Research Institute), industry (Pfizer, UniChem Labs), and regional development bodies (Deputy CEO of Life Sciences Queensland, Board Member of Regional Development Australia – Brisbane).

Nagaraj is highly skilled in bridging the gap between industry, academia, and government, fostering strategic partnerships, and facilitating knowledge transfer to drive the development of impactful innovations. His passion lies in empowering researchers and entrepreneurs, advocating for better knowledge exchange practices, and creating ventures that generate both social and economic impact.

Currently serving as the Business Development Manager for the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Nagaraj is focused on strengthening collaborations between industry, academia, and government, initiate strategic funding opportunities to drive translation and innovation.

Nagaraj holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from India, an MSc (Hons) in Biotechnology from Griffith University, a PhD in Pharmacy from the University of Queensland, and an MBA from the University of Newcastle. He is actively involved in several key working groups and steering committees, including serving as a mentor for the IMNIS program and as a committee member of Knowledge Commercialisation Australia – Queensland.

 Alex Cody

Alex Cody has decades of experience in the Queensland Government leading programs and teams to actively support and enable the implementation of its science policy research agenda to develop programs and fund research infrastructure in science and innovation to grow Queensland’s science capability, protect our environment, drive our economy and advance our wellbeing. 

In his program leader role he manages the Strategy, Policy and Evaluation team to deliver outcomes in the Science Development and Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist branch including the provision of strategic leadership for the Queensland Government's investment in universities, research institutes and industry and the development of strategic science policy, administering legislation, planning for future science investment, managing multiple grants programs, and evaluating science investment and impacts.

Dr Alisa Becker

Dr Alisa Becker is passionate about unlocking value from research.

In her current role, Alisa is responsible for developing large scale industry research initiatives across UQ within the broad areas of climate change and environment.

Before joining UQ, she managed CSIRO’s innovation services that include the ON Program, which gives researchers the skills and confidence to take their research to impact and the Collaborative Innovation Program, which helps industry partners uncover commercially deployable solutions to their business-critical challenges.

After obtaining her undergraduate degree in chemistry at UQ , Alisa undertook a PhD at The University of Melbourne and was a postdoctoral researcher at the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin.

After transitioning out of the lab, she worked for the Royal Society of Chemistry, first as an editor for Energy & Environmental Science and then promoting the role of chemistry in solving wicked challenges around critical energy metals, air pollution, and climate change. She was led the drafting, review, and release of their climate change statement to coincide with COP20.

Registration has now closed - please contact Karen Hendrickson if you have a VIP code and still need to register.
 

Conference delegate registration includes all program sessions except the optional conference dinner.

Day delegate rate $130 per person incl. GST. The day delegate rate includes both days of the conference.

Conference dinner (optional) at Hillstone, St Lucia, on Monday 28 October

Day delegate conference dinner rate $70 per person incl. GST

Non day delegate conference dinner rate $100 per person incl. GST 

- For bulk registrations, please contact Karen Hendrickson to facilitate offline registration and invoicing - no additional discount is available. 

- If you need to split a payment, for example if your employer is paying for the conference and you are paying personally for the conference dinner, you will need to do two separate transactions. 

- A tax invoice/receipt will be downloadable, and emailed, on receipt of payment.

Should you need to cancel your conference/dinner registration, please notify k.hendrickson@uq.edu.au at your earliest convenience.

Cancellations received before 14 October 2024 will receive a partial refund (amount paid less a cancellation fee of $10 incl. GST per item, per registration). Regrettably, cancellations received after 14 October 2024 will not be eligible for a refund.

Past CORES Conferences

The website and program from CORES 2023, hosted by QIMR Berghofer, can be viewed at this link.

The website and program from CORES 2021, hosted by the Translational Research Institute, can be viewed at this link.

Venue

The University of Queensland (UQ) at St Lucia, Room 206, Steele Lecture Theatre (Building 3) is accessed via level 2, Global Change Institute (Building 20), Staff House Road, St Lucia.

Visit the UQ Travel page for more Information on getting to our St Lucia Campus by car, bus, train, ferry or active transport.

Link to Google Maps directions to GCI, St Lucia Campus.

Accommodation 

A discounted rate has been negotiated with Essence Suites Taringa. You can view the website and book room/s directly by visiting the Essence Suites Taringa website. To access the special rate, use the discount code Cores24.

UQ St Lucia is accessible from Oaks Brisbane Woolloongabba via public transport, or a 3klm walk across the Green Bridge. You can view rates (no discount available) and availability on the Oaks Brisbane Woolloongabba website.

The Jephson Hotel rates (no discount available) and availability can be viewed on the Jephson Hotel website.