REDI News: GSK Australia advances support for emerging industry talent in third year of Graduate Researcher Program
28 March 2023
Pictured: the GSK Australia Graduate Research Program 2023 cohort, from left, Dr James Cooney – New Products Commercial Assessment Associate at GSK Australia, Dr Niloufar Ansari – Medical Affairs Oncology Associate at GSK Australia, Dr Ishdeep Kaur – Medical Affairs Vaccines Associate at GSK Australia, Dr Alissa Robbins – Reimbursement and Pricing Associate at GSK Australia, Dr Catherine Cochrane – Medical Affairs Associate at ViiV Healthcare Australia, Dr Amanda Dodds – Medical Affairs Vaccines Associate at GSK Australia, and Dr Snehal Midge – Regulatory Affairs Associate at GSK Australia.
GSK Australia recently announced the third year of its successful Graduate Researcher Program. Supported by MTPConnect’s Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative, the program showcases opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry by providing hands-on experience for postdoctoral researchers.
Over the course of a 12-month placement, the post-graduate researchers will gain practical experience in the medicines and vaccines industry. In their roles, they will have the opportunity to apply their academic skillset in a practical setting and make meaningful contributions to key business units across GSK’s core four therapeutic areas: infectious diseases, HIV, oncology, and immunology.
Expanding the program in 2023
Following the success of the program in 2021 and 2022, GSK Australia has taken a step further by expanding the size of its program to a group of seven.
Country Medical Director GSK Australia and the internal sponsor of the program, Dr Alan Paul is excited to usher in the 2023 program and welcome the seven post-graduate researchers. He says the 2023 program will continue to help emerging industry talent expand their capabilities and skillset.
“The GSK Graduate Researcher Program continues to provide valuable industry experience for early career researchers. We’re excited to expand our program to a group of seven, as we build on the successes of previous years and take a step forward in fostering greater collaboration between academia and the pharmaceutical industry,” said Dr Alan Paul.
Valuable industry experience for researchers
The program has been developed in partnership with MTPConnect, as part of its $32 million REDI initiative – funded through the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund. Through this partnership, the program has been designed to create an industry-ready workforce, fostering a closer collaboration between researchers and the biopharmaceutical sector.
MTPConnect Chief Executive Officer Stuart Dignam says the REDI partnership with GSK Australia continues to provide valuable industry experience for researchers.
“Through our REDI initiative, we’ve been working with GSK Australia for the past two years on its Graduate Researcher Program. With the program now entering its third year, we’re excited to see how the Graduate Researchers use their industry experience as they continue on their career journeys,” said Mr Dignam.
Dr Niloufar Ansari, a 2023 GSK Graduate Researcher, is confident the program will be a valuable step forward in her career following her experience as a postdoctoral researcher at Monash University.
'Improving the lives of patients is exciting'
“The industry experience I will gain over the coming months will be pivotal as I continue on my career journey. By bringing my academic skillset to my new role in the Medical Affairs Oncology team, I hope to broaden my professional capabilities alongside my colleagues and acquire the necessary skills for advancing in my career and succeeding in my future industry roles.
“Being part of a team that is dedicated to improving the lives of Australian patients is exciting, and I am eager to see where the Graduate Researcher Program will take me,” said Dr Ansari.
The contributions of all three cohorts will remain impactful for years to come, with many Graduate Researchers continuing on at GSK Australia and forging their own career path in industry.