MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar 2022: Angus Weekes
With a passion for developing innovative treatment options for cardiovascular disease, 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar, Angus Weekes, is tackling one of the leading causes of patient mortality around the world. Angus’ research focuses on the biofabrication of tissue via engineered vascular grafts that strive to improve vessel bypassing treatment options .
Angus has a strong background in medical engineering research and a keen interest in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Throughout his PhD at QUT, Angus has been working in collaboration with the Herston Biofabrication Institute at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. His research project focuses on using electrowriting additive manufacturing to produce compliant scaffold substrates suitable for in vitro culture of vascular tissue.
“Being exposed to such a great volume of information in a short time during the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship ensured that we gained a high-level understanding of all essential aspects of commercialisation within the Australian MedTech ecosystem.”
Throughout his experience as a 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar, Angus built on his skills and knowledge of research commercialisation. He valued the opportunity to network with a diverse range of peers who brought multidisciplinary perspectives on healthcare issues and generated a new range of ideas to solve some of society’s greatest challenges in healthcare.
Caption: Angus in the lab working on his PhD project, researching the biofabrication of tissue via engineered vascular grafts.
The delivery of the content throughout the Menzies Scholarship enabled students like Angus to reflect and discuss what they had learned and allowed them to connect this to their personal projects. For Angus, the program provided a high level understanding of the essential aspects of commercialisation and the Australian MedTech Ecosystem to his own innovation in his PhD.
“I would highly recommend the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship program to those looking to expand their knowledge in the field of medical device commercialisation, who are yet to reach a start-up stage.”
Angus reflected on his high-yield outcomes from the program, stating that his experience resulted in a newfound interest and exposure to the financial aspects associated with developing a startup and commercialising medical technology. In addition to this, he believes that broadening his peer and industry network has been a key takeaway that can support his entrepreneurship journey.
“Aside from the exceptional content, the MedTech Actuator team were extremely accommodating, great people who were happy to answer any number of questions, accommodating all attendees during the program.”
Since completing the program, Angus has continued to work on his PhD research which he expects to conclude early in 2024. Beyond the program Angus has had the opportunity to gain industry experience working as a Research & Development Engineer with Gelomics Pty Ltd, a biotech start-up based in Brisbane, where he has observed the development of the company and been involved in various projects that has enhanced and applied his understanding of commercialisation learned in the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship Program.
Are you a future MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar?
The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship is an opportunity for scientists, researchers and innovators to explore the world of entrepreneurship, research commercialisation and MedTech, BioTech and HealthTech startups.
Applications are now open for the 2023 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarships. Find out more about the program and apply now.
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The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship is supported by the Menzies Foundation as part of their Entrepreneurship in Science mission.
