ICYMI: MTPConnect opens Queensland office : MTPConnect

17 October 2019

Pictured (L-R): MTPConnect Director Stakeholder Engagement QLD Andrew Bowskill, Chair Sue MacLeman and Managing Director & CEO Dr Dan Grant, with Minister Industry, Science and Technology Hon. Karen Andrews MP, IMNIS Executive Director Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM, mentee Nick Lee and mentor Patheon General Manager Kym Baker, at the Translational Research Institute in Brisbane. Photo by: Glenn Hunt Photography.

Coming off the stellar experience of opening of the MTPConnect Queensland Office at the Translational Research Institute in Brisbane, we wanted to share some highlights of the day with you.

A big thank you to all who attended and our special guest, the Minister Industry, Science and Technology Hon. Karen Andrews MP, who gave so generously of her time to spend the day with us and our Queensland and national stakeholders.

QLD Project Demonstration

**Pictured (L-R): Hear and Say Executive Director and Founder Dr Dimity Dornan, Sue MacLeman, Minister Andrews, Dr Dan Grant and QUT IHBI Sean Powell.**

We invited some of our Queensland projects along to meet Minister Andrews and demonstrate their innovations. This included Growth Centre-funded QUT’s Herston Biofabrication Institute, which live-demonstrated its 3D bioprinting capabilities, Griffith University’s Compounds Australia that showcased its drug discovery library, and the team from TRI & Vaxxas took the Minister for a tour around its ‘Clean Room’. The Minister was also shown the BMTH-funded WearOptimo project that produces microwearable devices.

**Pictured: Minister Andrews with WearOptimo CEO & Founder Professor Mark Kendall, Professor Stephen Wilson, Sue MacLeman and Dr Dan Grant.**

**Pictured: Minister Andrews with TRI Director - Building Operations Michelle Richards touring the 'Clean Room'.**

MTPConnect QLD Office Officially Opened

**Pictured (L-R): Sue, Dan and Minister Andrews unveiling the new MTPConnect Queensland office.**

At the media conference, Sue and Dan along with the Minister launched the office and unveiled the shiny new plaque. The Minister also launched the IMNIS Regional Queensland Initiative, giving six students from James Cook University and six students from CQ University access to industry mentors for the next stage of their careers. We also heard from IMNIS Executive Director Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea, mentee Nick Lee and mentor Kym Baker from Pantheon as they shared their positive experiences about the importance of mentoring.

To hear more form the media conference and office opening, listen to our podcast.

QLD Industry Panel Session

**Pictured (L-R): QUT Executive Director Professor Lyn Griffiths, ANDHealth CEO Bronwyn Le Grice, UniQuest CEO Dr Dean Moss, Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea, Minister Andrews and Sue MacLeman.**

Our Chair hosted a panel session on ’Boosting Industry Engagement and Commercial Collaboration Through Mentoring’ at the TRI. Minister Andrews, Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea, UniQuest CEO Dr Dean Moss, ANDHealth CEO & Co-Founder Bronwyn Le Grice and QUT Executive Director Professor Lyn Griffiths shared their personal experiences on how mentoring has assisted their careers.