First Round of Bridge & BridgeTech REDI Fellows Announced
09 December 2020
A group of 20 Australian researchers who are alumni participants from the Bridge and BridgeTech Programs, will take a step towards commercialising their work after being awarded a $10,000 fellowship for placement in the pharmaceutical or medical device industry.
The Bridge and BridgeTech Industry Fellowship REDI Program, supported by MTPConnect’s REDI program, involves placements of up to six months with partner companies and technology incubators to enhance understanding and skills.
The fellowship recipients will advance commercialisation of research in areas including cancer, cardiac disease, autoimmune disease, infection, dentistry, antimicrobial properties of implants and tissue regeneration.
Fellowship recipients from the Bridge Program are:
- Dr Sarah Jones, Monash University
- Dr William Jorgensen, the University of Sydney
- Dr Chia-Chi Chien, Ominiwell Pty Ltd
- Associate Professor Lionel Hebbard, James Cook University
- Dr Frances Byrne, the University of New South Wales
- Dr Eliana Marino, Monash University
- Dr Bevyn Jarrott, FelCan Pharma
- Dr Rodney Cusack, QUT
- Dr Amee George, Australian National University
- Sang-kyu Kim, MecRx
Fellowship recipients from the BridgeTech Program are:
- Dr Andrea Coda, the University of Newcastle
- Dr Marie-Luise Wille, QUT
- Dr Elke Hacker, QUT
- Dr Robert Johnston OrthoDx
- Owen Zheng, Morrison Oriental
- Dr Rajesh Kuppusamy, the University of New South Wales
- Dr Bruce Backman, Primus Science
- Dr Griselda Calabrese, QUT
- Dr Omar Zuaiter, Dentroid Technologies
- Brian Hill, Laughing Min
The selection committee that chose the recipients comprised eight expert consortium members from both fields, who play a key role in either the Bridge or BridgeTech program consortia.
Bridge and BridgeTech Director, QUT Professor Lyn Griffiths, indicated that the program graduates now number over 450.
“It’s wonderful to see the commercialisation advances that are being achieved by the Bridge and BridgeTech alumni,” Professor Griffiths said.
“So far, participants across both programs have been involved in a total of 26 patents, 26 start-ups, 30 research and development contracts, 24 clinical trials, and 6 new product launches.
“The new fellowships provide another valuable professional development opportunity for our Bridge and BridgeTech alumni and participants.”
MTPConnect Managing Director & CEO Dr Dan Grant says these Fellowships will enhance and grow Australia’s future MTP workforce.
“MTPConnect’s REDI program is pleased to support the Bridge and BridgeTech programs to create this opportunity for its alumni participants. Congratulations to all those awarded fellowships,” Dr Grant added.
The fellowships are provided through the $32 million MTPConnect Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative to drive medtech and pharmaceutical sector skills development and workforce growth. REDI is funded through the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
In other news, applications are now open for The BridgeTech Program fourth cohort and close 7 February 2021. The Bridge Program will open applications for its fifth cohort in early 2021.