life sciences podcast

Today’s podcast guest heads up a – relatively – small but highly effective Brisbane-based manufacturer, Bioproton.
Its main competitors, though, are large, multinational companies with deep pockets. 
Size, though – says Bioproton’s manager Juhani Von Hellens – isn’t everything when it comes to producing successful, high-quality products that meet market needs … but agility is. 

Substantial experience in medical research, research management and research strategy development have prepared today’s podcast guest, Dr Claudia Giurgiuman for her role as CEO of Wesley Medical Research.

With more than two decades in medical research, Claudia has developed executive-level skills in collaborative development, strategic implementation and change facilitation.

Since 2019, her diverse role has seen her primarily responsible for delivering the organisation’s strategic goals and providing strong academic and research leadership.

Claudia is also steering the development and growth of the Wesley Medical Research’s clinical trials and overseeing its core grant and philanthropic investment portfolio.

Our podcast guest today makes things happen in the field of life sciences … literally. 
 
More than a venture capitalist, Sarah Meibusch uses her extensive global management and development expertise … plus her entrepreneurial passion … to nurture success in life sciences organisations looking to take their business to the next level. 
 
As a principal at OneVentures, Sarah is an expert in start-ups and specialises in commercialising new technologies as well as in managing significant, successful business transitions. 

Our podcast guest today has spent a lifetime ensuring leading edge-agricultural biotechnology and microbiology are being applied to some of the world’s most intractable food challenges. 
 
That precise, detailed work – along with fostering the careers of hundreds of researchers and postgraduate students – has seen James Dale rise to the position of inaugural Distinguished Professor at QUT’s Centre for Tropical Crops and Bio-commodities. 

An expert himself in researching, describing and overcoming destructive agricultural diseases, Professor Dale received his Officer of the Order of Australia in 2004 and his work was listed among Time Magazine’s Top 25 Inventions that same year. In 2015, he was honoured with a Queensland Greats Award and was named Queensland’s Senior Australian of the Year in 2019.  

The most recent honour for this scientist, researcher, entrepreneur and humanitarian was for his dedication to developing a potentially life-saving food source for some of the poorest people on Earth.

Hear the upcoming stories and insights from season 2 of our podcast series

Joining us today is one of Australia’s best-known manufacturing industry expert, engineering consultant and keynote speaker, Shay Chalmers. 
Having gained her Bachelor of Engineering followed by a Master of Engineering Management, Shay initially worked overseas … and her global career has spanned a variety of manufacturing environments, from steel to medical devices. 
Today Shay owns and runs Strategic Engineering Australia. 
She also contributes her knowledge and expertise to six high-level industry, government and not-for-profit boards, including the prestigious World Economic Forum Expert Network. 

Joining us today is Professor Fabienne Mackay, the Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland.

Professor Mackay studied Medicine and Biomedical Engineering before obtaining her PhD in Molecular Biology and Immunology from Louis Pasteur University in Strasbourg, France, and commencing her international research career.

Among her awards is a trophy from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris for outstanding contribution in education and research as an expatriate.

Joining us today is Advance Queensland’s Deputy Director-General* for Innovation, Sarah Pearson. 

Across her career, Sarah has had a significant impact on innovation ecosystems in Australia and overseas. 

She has also led the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to: 

·         build start-up ecosystems 

·         empower entrepreneurs in the Indo-Pacific region 

·         encourage women in STEM 

·         engage globally in economic and commercial diplomacy based on innovation.  

An innovation powerhouse, Sarah is an experienced board director, advisor & executive, scientist and change agent who revels in driving economic, social, environmental and diversity improvements. 

*Postion at time of recording.

Joining us today is distinguished molecular virologist Professor Paul Young who heads the University of Queensland’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, including the team working on a potential vaccine for COVID-19. 

Having gained his Bachelor of Science with honours at UQ and his PhD at the University of London, Professor Young has since built a career as a successful researcher, educator and administrator. 

He is also involved in research that concentrates on several infectious viruses including 

·         the dengue virus – a serious mosquito-borne disease that is endemic in many tropical countries 

·         and West Nile virus