Medtech Actuator Menzies Fellowship

Meet Betty – Early Innovation Programs Lead

Posted on March 23, 2023 by MedTech Actuator

Early Innovation Programs Lead Betty Zhang oversees MedTech Actuator’s early innovation programs — MedTech Actuator Origin and Menzies Scholarship and Fellowship for researchers innovating in MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech.

As a recent graduate from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Science (Chancellor’s Scholar) in Biotechnology (specialising in Immunology), Betty brings her passion for innovation and the desire to bridge the gap between academia and industry to the role. Her passion for biomedical science started in high school, where she had the opportunity to work in research laboratories across Victoria. Betty was the first Australian scholar in the Clark Scholars high school program where she got a chance to conduct 8 weeks of neuroscience research at Texas Tech University.

Back in 2018, Betty was also selected as the inaugural Graeme Clark Oration Young Woman Ambassador and successfully organised the first high school neuroscience conference for over 130 students. Betty’s passion for science continued throughout her university years, where she worked as a research assistant at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, the Disability Officer Bearer in the University of Melbourne Student Union and as a Fundamental Equities Analyst for biotechnology stocks at Churchill Asset Management.

Discovering her passion for innovation and the desire to bridge the gap between academia and industry she took a management role rather than pursuing her ambition to become a clinician-scientist. In her role as Early Innovation Programs Lead, Betty can realise her passion as the role straddles the intersection of so many fields that she is passionate about. She is responsible for leading innovation workshops across Australia to provide actionable advice for researchers and clinicians interested in commercialisation.

“I hope to combine my passion for science, mentoring and finance, especially in leveraging Australia’s capabilities in biomedical innovation”.

Through her role, Betty will be working at the grassroots level of innovation where she will get an opportunity to witness the foundational translation moment for researchers and clinicians to become entrepreneurs.

“I am inspired by the collaborative energy of the MedTech Actuator team and the broader community of foundational partners and collaborators. Everyone is so enthusiastic and optimistic about the opportunities for leveraging Australia’s world-class research capabilities to transform human health”, says Betty.

Looking to the future, Betty is excited about the growth of the MedTech industry in Australia and the increasing focus on diversity and inclusion.

“I am excited about the future of the MedTech Actuator and the broader ecosystem. With the recent growth in the industry and the increasing interest from investors, I am confident that we will see more innovation and growth in the coming years. It is essential that we create an environment that is supportive and inclusive for everyone, and I look forward to contributing to this effort”, says Betty.

Outside of work, Betty co-founded the Melbourne Bioinnovation Student Initiative (MBSI) to support young innovators and entrepreneurs to build multidisciplinary project teams to solve unmet needs in healthcare. She contributed to the executive management of the delivery of projects spanning digital health, AI, synthetic biology and medical devices. As a CEO at MBSI, she hopes to create a community of students interested in applying their skills to create positive change and implement real-world solutions.

We are thrilled to have Betty on our team and look forward to seeing the impact she will make on the MedTech industry in Australia.

Meet our team

More on how the MedTech Actuator team is supporting Asia Pacific’s next wave of health innovators – meet:

Sebastian Gomez, Chief Financial Officer
Matt Frith, Chief Commercial Officer
Simran Jain, Marketing Coordinator

MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow 2022: Dr Greg Stewart

Posted on April 4, 2022June 6, 2022 by MedTech Actuator

MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow Dr Greg Stewart is fusing research with entrepreneurship to deliver better medicines for psychiatric disease.

Developing New Therapeutics For Schizophrenia

Dr Greg Stewart is the Better Medicines program manager and Senior Research Fellow in the Neuromedicines Discovery Centre based at Monash University’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science.

Working between academia and the pharmaceutical industry, Greg drives programs that deliver better medicines for the treatment of psychiatric disease.

Greg notes that current medicines to treat psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia are far from ideal.

“My drive is to create new medicines for psychiatric diseases to improve the quality of life of those affected.”

Greg explains that schizophrenia is one such disease that has no effective treatment options.

“I believe my project can create a therapeutic for schizophrenia with vastly improved efficacy and greatly reduced side effect profile – thereby improving patient outcomes,” says Greg.

Research x Entrepreneurship With The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship

Greg became a MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow to connect with industry leaders in Australia and the region, and to gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the Australian BioTech industry.

“The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship forms a critical component in the transition I wish to make to an industry-oriented position and Australian BioTech.”

As a MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow, Greg is building expertise in entrepreneurship, commercialisation, and the startup ecosystem.

This support will help to unlock the potential in his research and embed improved therapeutics for psychiatric disease in clinical practice.

Through the Fellowship, Greg receives mentorship from industry experts, a $20K stipend, networking opportunities and invitations to exclusive events.

Our Network Becomes Greg’s Network For Life

The MedTech Actuator’s network becomes Greg’s network – not just throughout the program, but for life. He joins our community of:

MedTech Actuator’s extensive ecosystem of partners spanning hospitals, product development firms, multinational corporations, and investors
The brightest MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech founders across Asia Pacific in the MedTech Actuator Accelerator
MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholars and Fellows
MedTech Actuator Origin entrepreneurs – Asia Pacific’s next wave of innovators

Are you a future MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow?

If you’re a senior researcher in human health, the prestigious MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship can help you to transform your research impact.

Get ready to fuse your research and science expertise with entrepreneurship – applications for the MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship 2023 open in the coming months.

Women and applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply for our 2023 intake. We want to hear from you and are here to chat if you have questions – reach out below.

To stay in the loop sign up for news and updates below, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

You can also reach out to MedTech Actuator Programs and Community Coordinator Makenzie Thomas with any questions at makenzie@medtechactuator.com

MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow: Dr Warwick Nesbitt

Posted on March 28, 2022March 29, 2022 by MedTech Actuator

MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow Dr Warwick Nesbitt is fusing research with entrepreneurship to help reduce the prevalence and impact of cardiovascular disease.

Unlocking The Potential Of Lab-On-A-Chip Technologies

Warwick is the Laboratory Head of the Haematology Micro-platforms Group, based within the Australian Centre for Blood Disease at Monash University.

His multidisciplinary group focuses on the development of novel lab-on-a-chip technologies. These technologies have applications in:

basic haematology/cell biology research
new diagnostics in thrombosis and haemostasis
new antithrombotic drug discovery.

Making A Difference To Heart Attack And Stroke Patients

Warwick says that a key inspiration for developing the lab-on-a-chip technologies is the prevalence and impact that cardiovascular diseases – particularly heart attack and stroke – have on the community.

“Having had family members’ quality of life impacted through the devastating effects of stroke, I am keenly aware of the need for better diagnostics and therapeutics in this area of medicine,” says Warwick.

“My hope is that by developing better tests of blood function, we can improve the clinical management of cardiovascular disease patients.”

Research x Entrepreneurship With The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship

Warwick became a MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow to develop a better understanding of the MedTech landscape in Australia and internationally.

“I am excited to access the experience, expertise, and networks necessary to commercialise our lab-on-a-chip technologies.”

As a MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow, Warwick is building expertise in entrepreneurship, commercialisation, and the startup ecosystem.

This support will help to unlock the potential in his research and embed the novel lab-on-a-chip technologies in clinical practice to improve and save lives.

Through the Fellowship, Warwick receives mentorship from industry experts, a $20K stipend, networking opportunities and invitations to exclusive events.

Our Network Is Warwick’s Network For Life

As a MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow, our network becomes Warwick’s network – not just throughout the program, but for life. He joins our community of:

The brightest MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech founders across Asia Pacific in the MedTech Actuator Accelerator
MedTech Actuator’s extensive ecosystem of partners spanning hospitals, product development firms, multinational corporations, and investors
MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholars and Fellows
MedTech Actuator Origin entrepreneurs

Are you a future MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow?

If you’re a senior researcher in human health at an Australian university or research institute, the prestigious MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship can help you to transform your research impact.

Get ready to fuse your research and science expertise with entrepreneurship – applications for the MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship 2023 will open in the coming months.

Women and applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply for our 2023 intake. We want to hear from you and would love to chat if you have questions – reach out below.

To stay in the loop sign up for news and updates below, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

You can also reach out to MedTech Actuator Program and Community Coordinator, Makenzie Thomas, with any questions at makenzie@medtechactuator.com

MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellows 2022 announced

Posted on December 10, 2021December 10, 2021 by MedTech Actuator

Two Australian researchers have been announced as MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellows 2022. Congratulations to Dr Warwick Nesbitt and Dr Gregory Stewart who are set to transform their research impact.

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship is supported by the Menzies Foundation as part of their Entrepreneurship in Science mission in partnership with the MedTech Actuator.

The Fellowship will provide Warwick and Gregory with a strong grounding in entrepreneurship, commercialisation, and the startup ecosystem. This will help to unlock the potential of their respective research on cardiovascular disease and schizophrenia.

Transforming research for clinicians and patients, faster.

As MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellows, Warwick and Gregory will receive mentorship from industry experts, a $20K stipend, networking opportunities and invitations to exclusive events.

The MedTech Actuator’s network will become their network not just throughout the program, but for life. Fellows will meet the brightest MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech founders in the MedTech Actuator – Asia Pacific’s MedTech accelerator.

They will connect with MedTech Actuator’s extensive partner ecosystem spanning hospitals, product development firms, multinational corporations, and investors.

How it works.

Initially, Warwick and Gregory will embark on 6 months of mentorship. They’ll work with serial MedTech entrepreneurs and investors within the MedTech Actuator community, focusing on both technology and personal development.

During the second 6-month phase, Fellows will take part in a tailored version of our flagship, industry-led accelerator.

They’ll learn how to navigate key inflection moments in the commercialisation journey, from developing regulatory and reimbursement strategies to product development, approaching investors, and building a team.

Importantly, they’ll learn with – and from – other MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech founders from across Asia Pacific.

Meet Dr Warwick Nesbitt.

Dr Warwick Nesbitt is the Laboratory Head of the Haematology Micro-platforms Group within the Australian Centre for Blood Disease, Monash University.

His multidisciplinary group focusses on the development of novel lab-on-a-chip technologies with applications to:

basic haematology / cell biology research
new diagnostics in thrombosis and haemostasis
new antithrombotic drug discovery.

“A key inspiration for our technology is the prevalence and impact that cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attack and stroke have on the community.

Having had family members’ quality of life impacted through the devastating effects of stroke I am keenly aware of the need for better diagnostics and therapeutics in this area of medicine.

My hope is that by developing better tests of blood function we can improve the clinical management of cardiovascular disease patients.

Through the MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship I hope to develop a better understanding of the MedTech landscape in Australia and internationally, and to access the experience, expertise, and networks necessary to commercialise our lab-on-a-chip technologies.

I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity to be mentored by experts in MedTech commercialisation and translation.”

-Dr Warwick Nesbitt

Meet Dr Gregory Stewart.

Dr Gregory Stewart is working at the interface of academia and the pharmaceutical industry to drive programs to discover better medicines.

“Mental health issues have touched my personal life as they have touched the lives of the vast majority of people.

The current medicines to treat diseases, like schizophrenia, are far from ideal. My drive is to create new medicines for psychiatric diseases to improve the quality of life of those affected.

Schizophrenia is a disease that has no effective treatment options. I believe my project can create a therapeutic for schizophrenia with vastly improved efficacy and greatly reduced side effect profile – thereby improving patient outcomes.

Through the MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship I hope to connect with industry leaders in Australia and the region, whilst gaining a deeper understanding on the inner workings of the Australian BioTech industry.

Becoming a MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow will form a critical component in the transition I wish to make into an industry-oriented position and Australian BioTech.”

-Dr Gregory Stewart

Are you a future MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow?

If you’re a career researcher, or if you know someone who might be interested in transforming their research, sign up below for updates on future MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship intakes.

Meet Makenzie – Program and Community Coordinator

Posted on November 5, 2021June 6, 2022 by MedTech Actuator

MedTech Actuator Program and Community Coordinator Makenzie Thomas brings her passion for entrepreneurship, startup ecosystems and supporting founders to delivering MedTech Actuator Origin, and the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship and Fellowship programs.

Makenzie’s international experience spans Europe, Australia, and Canada – working in project management, marketing, business innovation, academic research, and creative and cultural entrepreneurship.

Makenzie with Maria Pelipas – MedTech Actuator, Emily Casey – What The Health and Bonnie Zhang – TRAM, University of Melbourne at the MedTech Actuator Showcase 2021.

Makenzie draws on this international experience to deliver MedTech Actuator Origin – an idea pitch competition – and the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship and Fellowship programs – supporting researchers alongside the Menzies Foundation to transform their impact.

“My role covers everything from rolling out application campaigns to participant experience, to program delivery. I also look after our community and its activities,” says Makenzie.

“From one day to the next I could be writing communications, drafting social media visuals, developing program strategy, jumping into workshops, providing pitch feedback to founders, working with our network of inspiring speakers – it is quite a mixed bag!”

Cheering on founders

Working with founders is a real highlight for Makenzie in her role.

“They’ve got such a unique energy that becomes the foundation upon which they build their startups.

One thing I love about my role is that we’re right there with them, celebrating the small wins, cheering them on as they pitch (over and over) and guiding them in the right direction.

It takes so much to go from idea to successful startup and it certainly doesn’t happen overnight.

The ecosystem, accelerator programs, like MedTech Actuator, and their own personal networks are essential to success.

Being a part of this world and being able to have an impact across a number of founder journeys is my why. It’s the reason I’m here at MedTech Actuator.”

On the horizon

Makenzie says that there’s a lot happening in the MedTech, BioTech and HealthTech space, especially in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region.

“I’m entering this corner of the entrepreneurship world with fresh eyes and I know that the ecosystem is growing and seeing some big wins. I’m really excited to learn from MedTech Actuator, the innovation ecosystem and the amazing founders coming through our programs.

The ecosystem is channeling a lot of this energy into supporting and nurturing female founders as well. The State of Australian Startup Funding 2021 report published by Cut Through Ventures and Folklore noted that from 2020 to 2021, funding events involving at least one female founder rose by 1%, leaving a whopping 81% of deals for all-male founding teams.

It’s disappointing, to say the least, but it is a huge challenge facing the whole industry and it stems from a number of systemic issues. Considering that MedTech Actuator supports and works closely with so many inspiring female founders, we’ll be doing more to amplify these stories, share the wins, demand space for women at the table, and open our calendars to early-stage female founders, researchers, and clinicians so that these numbers can continue to shift in the right direction.”

Meet our team

Get to know how others in the MedTech Actuator team are supporting Asia Pacific’s next wave of health innovators:

Sebastian Gomez, Chief Financial Officer
Maria Pelipas, Head of Programs
Gobind Singh, Project Officer

MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowships now open

Posted on September 7, 2021June 6, 2022 by MedTech Actuator

Are you a high-potential scientist or researcher working with MedTech, BioTech or HealthTech innovations? Are you interested in exploring entrepreneurship and commercialisation? Do you have a research project with market translation potential?

Applications are now open for 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowships. Two high-potential medical or scientific researchers will each receive a tailored MedTech Actuator experience. This includes mentorship from industry experts, networking opportunities, exclusive industry events, and a $20,000 stipend.

Apply now for 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowships!

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship exposes senior researchers to entrepreneurship, commercialisation and the startup ecosystem to unlock the potential of Australia’s world-class research.

“We know that there is great work being done by researchers in Australia – particularly in the areas of human health and medicine. We want to support this talent by giving researchers access to commercialisation expertise so that they can share their work with the people who need it most – patients and clinicians,” says MedTech Actuator CEO, Dr Buzz Palmer.

“The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship will provide high-potential scientists with a strong grounding in the elements of commercialisation. Most importantly, it will provide access to founders and our extensive ecosystem of partners – a network that spans hospitals, product development firms, multinational MedTech corporations and investors,” says Dr Palmer.

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship is a partnership between the Menzies Foundation and MedTech Actuator, which supports the scientific community’s commercialisation capacity by facilitating knowledge transfer from industry to researchers.

“We are passionate about investing in our country’s future science leaders and giving them the runway to ensure that their research has an impact in the world. We look forward to sharing their entrepreneurial journey,” Menzies Foundation CEO Liz Gillies said.

How it works

Initially, Fellows will embark on 6 months of mentorship – working with experts within the MedTech Actuator focusing on both technology and personal development.

During the second 6-month phase, Fellows will take part in a tailored version of our flagship, industry-led accelerator. They’ll learn how to navigate key inflection moments in the commercialisation journey, from developing regulatory and reimbursement strategies to product development, approaching investors and building a team. Importantly, they’ll learn with – and from – other MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech founders from across Asia Pacific.

Eligibility

To be eligible researchers must be working in a senior position in areas of health, medical or biotechnology research at an Australian university or institution. Applicants must also have 15+ years of experience across research and scientific positions.

Fellows must have employer approval to be absent for:

Approx. 10 hrs during the first 6-month phase 2022 (Jan – June, 2022).
Approx. 2-3 days per month during the second 6-month phase (July – Dec, 2022).

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship can be undertaken while working.

Key dates

September 6 – October 15, 2021: MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship applications open
November 11, 2021: MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship selection interviews
July – December 2022: MedTech Actuator – Asia Pacific’s MedTech accelerator – sessions on commercialisation (first week of every month)
December, 2022: Wrap up of the Fellowship

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship is supported by the Menzies Foundation as part of their Entrepreneurship in Science mission in partnership with the MedTech Actuator.

Apply now

If you are a career researcher or if you know someone who might be interested, find out more about the Fellowship and transform your research potential today!

Apply now

Researchers join inaugural MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship

Posted on December 6, 2020June 6, 2022 by MedTech Actuator

Congratulations to Dr Chris McCarthy and Associate Professor Jeremy Crook on their appointment as inaugural MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellows.

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowships are valued at $70,000 each and will provide Chris and Jeremy with tailored mentoring from commercialisation experts, a $20,000 stipend and access to the MedTech Actuator™.

The fellowship unlocks the potential of Australia’s world-class research and researchers, particularly in the areas of human health, medicine, and biotechnology. Through the fellowship, researchers will fuse their background with new commercial expertise from industry’s leading minds to improve and save lives.

Chris is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Swinburne University of Technology, an Honorary Research Fellow at the Bionics Institute and has worked at the forefront of pioneering technology. This includes Bionic Vision Australia and a robotic aid for paediatric rehabilitation – now deployed at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. Jeremy is an Associate Professor and Principal Fellow at the University of Wollongong and Chief Investigator and Deputy Theme Leader of Synthetic Biosystems in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science.

As a fellow Chris will advance CueSleeve, a haptic training device for improving eye-hand coordination in individuals with visual and neuro-cognitive disorder. Jeremy will be advancing a wireless electroceutical device for neural repair.

“As an academic researcher, I love solving problems but get most satisfaction in seeing theoretical solutions translate to real outcomes. This fellowship will give me the mentorship, focus and structured support I need to truly realise this for CueSleeve,” says Chris.

Jeremy says that he is excited to learn what it takes to bring a medical technology innovation to market.

“The fellowship will be important for achieving my aspirations to translate what began as merely an idea conceived by myself and team member Dr Eva Tomaskovic-Crook into a clinically useful medical technology,” says Jeremy.

Chris and Jeremy will initially embark on six months of mentorship, working with experts within the MedTech Actuator and along the commercialisation pipeline.

During the second six-month phase, Chris and Jeremy will take part in a tailored version of our flagship, industry-led accelerator. They will learn how to navigate key commercialisation milestones, from developing regulatory and reimbursement strategies to product development, approaching investors, and building a team.

Importantly, they’ll learn with – and from – other MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech founders from across Asia Pacific.

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship is a partnership between the Menzies Foundation and the MedTech Actuator, supported by the Menzies Foundation as part of their Entrepreneurship in Science mission.

Sign up to our newsletter below and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn to follow Chris and Jeremy’s journey – and stay in the loop on how to be a part of the 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship.

MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowships now open

Posted on October 6, 2020June 6, 2022 by MedTech Actuator

Applications are now open for 2021 MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowships – each valued at $70,000. Two high-potential medical or scientific researchers will each receive tailored mentoring from commercialisation experts, a $20,000 stipend and access to the MedTech Actuator™.

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship is designed to unlock the potential of Australia’s world-class research and researchers.

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship will support the scientific community’s commercialisation capacity by facilitating knowledge transfer from industry to researchers.

“The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship will provide high-potential scientists with a grounding in the elements of commercialisation, but most importantly it will provide access to our dense network of partners – a network that spans hospitals, product development firms, multinational MedTech corporations and investors,” says Dr Palmer.

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship can be undertaken while working. Initially, fellows will embark on 6 months of mentorship – working with experts within the MedTech Actuator and along the commercialisation pipeline.

During the second 6-month phase, fellows will take part in a tailored version of our flagship, industry-led accelerator. They’ll learn how to navigate key milestones in the commercialisation journey, from developing regulatory and reimbursement strategies to product development, approaching investors and building a team. Importantly, they’ll learn with – and from – other MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech founders from across Asia Pacific.

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship is a partnership between the Menzies Foundation and the MedTech Actuator. “We are passionate about investing in our country’s future science leaders and giving them the runway to ensure that their research has an impact in the world. We look forward to sharing their entrepreneurial journey,” Menzies Foundation CEO Liz Gillies said.

To be eligible for the Fellowship, researchers must be working in the areas of health, medical or biotechnology research and have approval from the employing institution to be absent 2-3 days per month for 6 months (July 2021 – December 2021).

If you are a career researcher – or you know one – you can find out more about the Fellowship and apply .

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship is supported by the Menzies Foundation as part of their Entrepreneurship in Science mission in partnership with the MedTech Actuator.

Apply now