The annual Careers Expo organized by members of the Bio21 Institute Postgrad student group is on again for 2008.  The program traditionally has seen a variety of speakers present during a one day forum. This year, the format has been changed where we now have a series of speakers presenting over a number of weeks. Seminars will be held at lunch times and will run for approximately 45 mins with time for networking over refreshments. All Inst members are welcome to attend, and we also encourage fellow postgrads from on campus departments and neighbouring institutes to come along. 

Venue: Bio21 Inst Auditorium

When: Weekly lunch time series commencing 19 June (approximate duration 8 weeks)

Time: 12.30 followed by light refreshments in auditorium foyer

All Inst members welcome. Postgrads from other departments and Institutions welcome. No RSVP required.

Speaker Program

Launch seminar - Les Trudzik - 19 June

Executive Director, Allen Consulting Group

With a career that spans over two decades working as an advisor to public and private sector organizations, Les Trudzik has experience across the education and training, human services, justice and consumer affairs sectors and has worked across Australia. He also has a strong reputation in the area of science, innovation and technology policy and programs.

Les is a University of Melbourne graduate with a BSc (Hons) and PhD (Operations Research), along with a Grad Dip (Computing and Information Systems) from the Chisholm Institute of Technology. Find out more about Les - read his profile. 

Phil Marley - Government - 26 June

Manager, Biomedical Research and Technology, Office of Science and Technology, Dept of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development. 

Following the completion of his degree in pharmacology in the UK, Phil undertook a PhD in neuroscience also in the UK and then a short postdoc in Denmark. He came to Melbourne on a 2 year postdoc in 1983, but stayed for 23 years, working in medical research supported on grants. In late 2005, he had a mid-life crisis, threw in the towel on practising medical research and moved into a new role in State Government supporting Victoria's biomedical research capabilities. Every step of the last 25 years has had twists and turns, unexpected hiccups and major changes in plan. Phil will tell of the stories behind his far from smooth research career path and the approach he used in making the transition out of the labcoat and into a suit (although he still hates wearing a tie).

Break - 3 July

Wayne Jensen - Industry small/emerging company- 10 July

Chief Scientific Officer, Sienna Cancer Diagnostics.

With a career spanning 14 years and primarily associated with the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry, Wayne Jensen has been responsible for product development in companies ranging in scale from the innovative start-up to the large and mature. Wayne has held various roles in research and development and quality assurance. In these roles, Wayne has gained significant experience in the areas of product research and development, product validation, manufacturing, quality control, quality assurance and regulatory compliance. Wayne graduated from Monash University with a BSc (Hons) and PhD in Biochemistry, and is currently the Chief Scientific Officer for Sienna Cancer Diagnostics, located within the Bio21 Institute. More details on Sienna can be found at http://www.siennadiagnostics.com.au/

Andrew Nash- Research Director CSL- 17 July

Andrew Nash completed his PhD in immunology at The University of Melbourne in 1988 and, after moving to the Centre for Animal Biotechnology in the Faculty of Veterinary Science, developed and led a research group focused on basic and applied aspects of cytokine biology.  In 1996 he joined the ASX listed biotechnology company Zenyth Therapeutics (then Amrad Corporation) as a senior scientist and subsequently held a number of positions including Director of Biologicals Research and Chief Scientific Officer.  In July of 2005 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Zenyth, a position which he held up until the acquisition of Zenyth by CSL Limited in November 2006.  Following the acquisition he was appointed as CSL's Director of Research and is currently based at the Bio21 Institute where he leads a large team focused on the discovery and development of new recombinant antibody / protein-based medicines to treat serious human disease.

Break- 24 July

Dr Nicole  La Gruta, Establishing your first research group, Dept of Microbiology and Immunology, Uni of Melbourne - 31 July

Jason Coonan- IP - 7 August

IP Portfolio Manager, Melbourne Ventures. 

Jason Coonan is the University of Melbourne's intellectual property manager. Prior to joining Melbourne Ventures Pty Ltd, the technology transfer company for the University of Melbourne, Jason worked at a major Australian patent and trade mark attorney firm where he gained experience in many aspects of intellectual property law, most particularly patent law as it relates to the fields of biotechnology and chemistry. Before his firm-based role, Jason worked as a neuroscientist at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research where his research focused on the role of cell surface receptors in nerve regeneration and neural stem cell biology. Jason is a registered Australian patent and trade marks attorney and holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from La Trobe University and a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Intellectual Property Law from the University of Melbourne.

Break - 14 August

TBC - 21 August

Kelly Scientific - Recruitment - 28 August

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