MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar 2022: Nina Langer

Nina Langer is a mechanical engineer and a PhD candidate at Monash University bringing innovation to cardiovascular healthcare through her research and development of a heart-assist pump to improve the quality of life of patients with heart failure. In 2022, Nina was a MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar, taking on one of society’s leading causes of death, heart failure. 

Developing a novel ventricular assist device for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

One particular challenge contributing to worldwide healthcare burdens lies in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which lacks enough research despite accounting for approximately 50 percent of cases leading to heart failure. Nina was motivated to explore the area and develop innovative solutions with the goal of improving health and quality of life for people across the globe. Through dedicated research and scientific advancements, Nina has taken on the project with deep passion for making an impact in the MedTech industry. 

“The unique interface between medicine and engineering fascinates me, and the collaboration between engineers and clinicians presents exciting opportunities”

Nina’s project is specifically tailored to study the hemodynamics and anatomical conditions of patients with heart failure. Her findings reveal that other treatment solutions are often large and difficult to implant, compromising patients’ chance of post-surgical survival. With little to no treatment options remaining, patients with life-threatening cases of heart failure often resort to palliative care. Through Nina’s proposed solution to this pressing problem, a novel heart pump could serve as a bridge between transplantation and permanent therapy, meeting an unmet need in the treatment of heart failure while reducing its financial burden on the healthcare system. 

Caption: Nina Langer working on her PhD project to develop a novel heart pump. 

Throughout Nina’s journey as a 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar, she gained valuable knowledge about commercialisation strategies and business models, which she is applying to her research project and beyond. 

“The Menzies Scholarship Program offered me insights into the process of bringing a product to market and helped me determine my project’s stage and plan ahead.”

Nina participated in a series of workshops and interactive online coaching sessions throughout the Menzies Scholarship Program, and sought guidance from industry experts and inspiring founders where she learned valuable insights into the startup journey. In addition, the program helped Nina develop a well-defined plan for moving forward post-PhD, allowing her to gain a comprehensive perspective and strategic approach in advancing her career path. 

Since completing the program, Nina has continued her PhD studies, taking her expanded skill set and drive for innovation, now focusing on the product development of her novel ventricular assist device for patients with heart failure. 

“I highly recommend the Menzies program due to its personalised approach and emphasis on individual projects… This tailored support fosters valuable learning and enables participants to effectively apply these strategies to their own projects, enhancing their chances of success in the competitive business landscape.”

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.

Hear from previous Scholars:

• Marta Orlowska
• April Van Der Kamp 
• Dr. Rowan Page

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

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

The MedTech Actuator and Menzies Foundation are delighted to announce the 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholars.

Each year, MedTech Actuator and the Menzies Foundation award 10 high-potential researchers and clinicians a MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship to aid their commercialisation journey. This scholarship supports participants’ pathway to impact-driven careers that fuse science, research, and entrepreneurship.

Scholars are pursuing post-graduate degrees at Australian universities across Australia and undertaking research projects in human health. Through the MedTech Actuator Menzies  Scholarship program, the cohort will learn about commercialisation and research translation, as well as Australia’s health, medical and biotechnology startup ecosystem.

“This cohort is filled with extraordinary, diverse, and high-potential Scholars ready to accelerate their research and begin the commercialisation journey in Australia and across the world,” – Liz Gillies, CEO, of the Menzies Foundation.

Introducing the 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholars

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholars 2022 are passionate about developing healthcare innovations that will improve and save lives. Their expertise spans orthopaedics, neurology, genomics, immunology, mental health, biomechanical engineering, tropical diseases and more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Scholarship recipients include:

• Dr Andrew Lewis Foster, PhD Student, Queensland University of Technology, Research Fellow, Jamieson Trauma Institute, and Orthopaedic Principal House Officer, Redcliffe Hospital

Project: Developing an antibiotic hydrogel for the locally applied treatment of surgical infection

• Angus Weekes, PhD Student and Sessional Academic, Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology

Project: Off-the-shelf vasculature: Biofabrication of non-immunogenic decellularised human vascular grafts

• Helen Elizabeth King, PhD Student, Garvan Institute

Project: Revolutionising the accuracy of the CRISPR-Cas system through guide design.

• Ishara Paranawithana, PhD Candidate, Bionics Institute and Monash University

Project: Exploring language development in infants by measuring brain connectivity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy

• Muhammad Nouman, PhD Candidate, Deakin University

Project: An AI-aided mental health prediction platform

• Nina Langer, PhD Student, Monash University

Project: Developing a heart-assist pump to improve the quality of life of patients with heart failure

• Oyime Poise Aula, PhD Student, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and the University of Queensland

Project: Developing molecular point-of-care tests for neglected tropical diseases

• Shiva Pedram, Research Fellow, the University of Wollongong

Project: Developing remote mental healthcare support using Virtual Reality

• Urwah Nawaz, PhD Candidate, the University of Adelaide and University of New South Wales Junior Computational Scientist, Pending AI

Project: Developing a low-cost lateral rotation mattress that has the capacity to adjust patient positions

• Zachary Rochecouste, Bachelor Student, and Researcher, Mending Broken Hearts Program, the University of New South Wales

Project: Creating a total artificial heart

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship Experience

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship encourages the next generation of health leaders to build strong foundations in entrepreneurship, technology translation and commercialisation. This program supports the scientific community’s capacity to bring innovation to the market by facilitating knowledge transfer from industry to scientists and researchers.

Recipients embark on a four-month scholarship, gaining knowledge from leading industry experts, working alongside Australia’s emerging healthcare entrepreneurs and receiving mentorship from MedTech Actuator. 

They will be immersed in the health ecosystem learning about pathways to market, business models, navigating Australia’s healthcare ecosystem, idea validation, intellectual property, pitching, professional development, and funding for early-stage ventures.

Stay up to date with their progress 

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholars 2021 benefited greatly from this scholarship and have accelerated their commercialization journey through our programs, including MedTech Actuator Accelerator and MedTech Actuator Origin.

Sign up for our newsletter below and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to follow the journey of Scholars. 

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

MedTech Actuator 2021 Menzies Scholar: April Van Der Kamp

2021 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar April Van Der Kamp is successfully fusing science, research commercialisation and entrepreneurship. 

When it comes to scientists doing their life’s work, April comes to mind. As a founder of DFU Solutions and a PhD Candidate at Flinders University, April is building a scientific career founded in impact, commercialisation and innovation.

Phage therapy to treat diabetic foot ulcer infections

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious and common complication of diabetes which are frequently infected by Staphylococcus aureus. Coupled with the rise of antibiotic resistance, diabetic foot ulcer infections are increasingly difficult to treat. This commonly leads to foot amputations which are correlated with a 5-year mortality of up to 70%. 

After losing a family member and looking at inefficiencies in the treatment of infected DFUs, April chose to pursue a PhD at Flinders University and founded DFU Solutions with her PhD supervisor, Associate Professor Peter Speck, to bring innovative treatments that harness bacteriophage therapy to market. 

“The passing away of loved ones due to complications associated with DFUs that are a preventable disease is a sad story. After experiencing first-hand how traumatic this can be, Peter and I are passionate about developing treatment options to improve patient outcomes and putting an end to this common story,” says April.

“We strive to improve patient outcomes with effective treatments targeted towards infection clearance.”

Science, research commercialisation and entrepreneurship with the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship

April was selected as a 2021 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar, leveraging the program to dive into research translation and commercialisation. With the opportunity to network with a cohort of Scholars, see entrepreneurs grow in MedTech Actuator Origin, and receive mentorship from industry leaders, April engaged with the industry and channelled her focus into her research. 

“I am so grateful for being a recipient of the scholarship and becoming a part of the MedTech Actuator family.”

As a part of the scholarship, across an industry-led intensive sprint and mentorship, scholarship recipients gain an extensive overview of entrepreneurship, the startup ecosystem and the commercialisation process as well as a one-off, $1,000 stipend to aid the commercialisation journey. Topics covered include pathways to market, business models, navigating Australia’s healthcare ecosystem, idea validation, intellectual property, pitching, professional development, and funding for early-stage ventures.

Through the program and its benefits, April was able to understand what it takes to successfully launch a startup and get a product to market. As a result of mentoring and leadership development, April overcame her biggest challenge, that is, doubting her capabilities to succeed. 

“I applied for the scholarship using the mantra “when in doubt, apply”. I thought the worst thing they can say is no and the best thing that could happen is I learned from experience. And I’m still learning. You don’t need to have all the answers and all the confidence to get started,” says April.

Aid your commercialisation journey with the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship 2022

Through this scholarship and the MedTech Actuator community, April launched DFU Solutions. Prior to the program, becoming a founder was not a reality.

“I feel accomplished presenting DFU Solution’s one-minute pitch and to have expanded my network. By moving outside of my comfort zone and gaining new experiences beyond academia, I’ve gained a refreshing perspective of entrepreneurship and the landscape that startup founders must navigate throughout their journey.”

The Scholarship experience aims to support the scientific community’s capacity to bring innovation to the market by facilitating knowledge transfer from industry to scientists and researchers. For April, the support from her supervisor and MedTech Actuator helped her take the jump into becoming a founder and following her passion.

“Other members from MedTech Actuator startups, such as Hatisens and the like, are such great support network in that they provide advice and guidance. This made a really big difference in my journey,” says April.

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 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarships. Find out more about the Scholarship here and apply now.

You can also join MedTech Actuator Program and Community Coordinator, Makenzie Thomas for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session on July 6. Register here.

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

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

MedTech Actuator 2021 Menzies Scholar: Dr Rowan Page

MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar Dr Rowan Page is transforming his impact by developing a wearable light sensing device to guide people toward healthier light exposure patterns together with the team at Circadian Health Innovations.

Dr Rowan Page is an early-career researcher and the Director of the Industrial Design program in Monash University’s Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture. Rowan’s research and practice are focused on the design of smart wearable devices for health and medical applications. Through design practice, his research helps to translate fundamental medical and technology research into commercially viable outcomes.

Melding industrial design and research

Constantly blown away by technologies being developed at Monash University, Rowan knows how innovations can have a real impact on people’s lives but can see how difficult the development processes at universities can be. He has seen several projects where the quality of early-prototype research devices makes it difficult to collect data, from real people, in real-world contexts.

“The existing devices are fragile, too big, uncomfortable, hard to use, or people are embarrassed to wear them. Bringing industrial design into research early enables us to also bring consideration of human factors and end-user needs into projects early, enabling researchers to collect better and more reliable data.”

Rowan is carrying out the light pin device project as an Industrial Designer working in close collaboration with Circadian Health Innovations, sleep scientists, mathematical modellers, and creative technologists.

“The light pin device we are working on is the perfect embodiment of pairing world-leading research expertise, incredible electronics and technology development, and early design involvement.”

The device enables our partners to amplify their research in circadian and sleep science and has also revealed numerous consumer applications from supporting shift work, to jet-lag management. To complement the wide application of this device, the team has also been approached by NASA and elite sports teams interested in performance optimisation.

Science, Research Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship with the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship recipients embark on a four-month journey, where recipients gain knowledge from leading industry experts, work alongside Australia’s emerging healthcare entrepreneurs and receive mentorship from MedTech Actuator.

“The biggest challenge to overcome at the moment is the worldwide shortage of electronics components. As a small start-up, it is difficult to operate in these complex global supply chains. The scholarship program provided us with a great product development mentor who was able to connect us with excellent local manufacturers. Additionally, navigating the transition from the university to the industry had us thinking carefully about IP, funding, and how we scale up in a very different environment.”

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship encourages the next generation of health leaders to build strong foundations in commercialisation. In doing so, this program supports the scientific community’s capacity to bring innovation to the market by facilitating knowledge transfer from industry to scientists and researchers.

“The program connected us with great manufacturers by pairing us with a product development mentor. This was a key milestone in enabling us to organize our first small run batch of manufactured devices. Allowing us to move beyond prototypes and start producing devices for sale. We also had great exposure to investors and the wider ecosystem outside of the university.”

For Rowan, mentorship with Procept was incredibly valuable, as was the advice received from MedTech Actuator CEO, Dr Buzz Palmer and the team. Alongside the 2021 Scholarship, Rowan and team members from SensiLab at Monash University, A/Prof Sean Cain, Dr Andrew Phillips, and Elliott Wilson, took part in MedTech Actuator Origin, taking their innovation through to the semi-finals.

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.

“My advice to future Scholars is to make the most out of the experience and the learning opportunities that it provides. Even if your current project is not at the right stage for this journey yet, you never know when the knowledge that this program gives you will be useful in the future.”

Applications are now open for the 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarships. Find out more about the program and apply now.

You can also join MedTech Actuator Program and Community Coordinator, Makenzie Thomas for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session on July 6. Register here.

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

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship is supported by the Menzies Foundation as part of their Entrepreneurship in Science mission

MedTech Actuator 2021 Menzies Scholar: Dr Anushi Rajapaksa

MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar Dr Anush Rajapaksa is fusing science, research commercialisation and entrepreneurship by developing rapid, life-saving drug delivery for children with infectious respiratory disease.

Dr Anushi Rajapaksa is a Senior Research Officer, at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne and more recently a graduate researcher within GSK, Melbourne. Anushi leads large, international, interdisciplinary research projects as the inventor of several newborn technologies. She is also the Founder of a not-for-profit organization, Think Project,  that helps to facilitate the transfer of STEM solutions to low resource settings. She has recently founded “Vitality by Dr Anushi” to cultivate her love of nutrition inspired by nature.

Turning needle phobia into an idea

Anushi says that she was on a personal mission to design ways to deliver vaccines and other therapeutics to the lungs non-invasively due to her phobia of needles. Anushi discovered and developed a new technology in the form of a nebulizer that enables a liquid vaccine to be inhaled, rather than injected.

“Growing up, I had a significant needle phobia. You could almost say that I was on a personal mission to invest in a career to explore alternative ways of medication delivery – vaccines in particular. Delivering medications to the body through the lungs seemed like a no brainer to me”, says Anushi

A new frontier in pain-free therapies

Anushi’s research has focused on RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), the most common cause of acute, lower respiratory infection in young children under 5 years of age. Preterm infants are at significantly increased risk of severe RSV disease. There is no RSV vaccine and the only preventive treatment is passive protection with Palivizumab, an RSV-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb). However, this is costly (A$7,500 per course) and requires repeated injections throughout the RSV transmission season. In Australia, its use is restricted to only preterm infants with complications such as severe pulmonary hypertension and chronic lung disease.

“The aim is to develop a novel, non-invasive solution and solve the problem by delivering a first-in-class, low-cost device that is effective in protecting our children.”

Science, research commercialisation, and entrepreneurship with the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship encourages the next generation of health leaders to build strong foundations in commercialisation. In doing so, this program supports the scientific community’s capacity to bring innovation to the market by facilitating knowledge transfer from industry to scientists and researchers.

As a 2021 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar, Anushi was exposed to the ecosystem, built strong foundations in commercialisation and took home the MedTech Actuator People’s Choice Award in MedTech Actuator Origin.

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship Experience

As a part of the Scholarship experience, recipients overcome their knowledge gaps with the support provided during intensive sprints and 1:1 coaching.

“The biggest struggle I have overcome is facing my own doubts and the unknowns regarding advancing my area of scientific passion and working through them one by one. It is a unique journey worth taking as it has certainly been transformative and personally rewarding to me. I may not have all the answers yet, but realising some fundamental questions that need head-on attention is a very good start,” says Anushi.

“I felt right at home with the friendly and resourceful team at the MedTech Actuator. It was the right amount of challenge and inspiration to take action on a vision I had been working on for over a decade. I am confident that the skills and experiences I gained through this unique program will help me make advances.”

Scholars receive access to the MedTech Actuator Origin intensive sprint and see, first-hand, what it takes to launch a healthcare venture. Anushi’s vision is to position her research to best serve a community that needs it the most through commercialisation. Whilst undertaking the Scholarship, Anushi also took The Think Project through MedTech Actuator Origin.

When embarking on a four-month scholarship, recipients gain knowledge from leading industry experts, work alongside Australia’s emerging healthcare entrepreneurs and receive mentorship from MedTech Actuator.

“I would like to thank my team, Mr. Sanjeeva Rajapaksa, Prof. James Friend, Ashica Sood, Mayomi Samarawickrama  Mallawaarachchi, Shamal Wijeweera and Ashleigh Allan, for their support in realising our vision. I also want to recognise the support provided by Dr Buzz Palmer and my mentor Richard Sokolov and the MedTech Actuator Team for numerous discussions and advice throughout the program and beyond,” says Anushi.

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 2022 program. Find out more about the MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship and apply today.

You can also join MedTech Actuator Program and Community Coordinator, Makenzie Thomas for the Ask Me Anything session for any questions related to the scholarship. Register here.

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

The MedTech Actuator and Menzies Foundation are thrilled to announce the second cohort of MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarships.

After an overwhelming response to our call for applications – we were three times oversubscribed – MedTech Actuator and the Menzies Foundation have narrowed it down to an inspiring cohort of researchers and scientists who are ready to transform their impact.

Embarking on a two-month scholarship, recipients will gain insight from industry experts, learn alongside Australia’s best emerging entrepreneurs, access exclusive industry events and network with a dynamic cohort of innovators. The scholarship supports emerging scientists and researchers on their pathway to an impact-driven career fusing science, research, and entrepreneurship.

Introducing the new scholars

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship cohort are passionate about developing healthcare solutions that improve and save lives. Their diverse expertise spans diabetes, cancer treatments, precision medicine, wellbeing devices, gene therapy, neonatal care and more. 

Scholarship recipients include:

Dr Sebastian Corlette, Anaesthetist, Royal Children’s Hospital and PhD Candidate, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne.

Project: Developing a new sensor for high-quality, long-term electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement in young babies.

Darcy Dunn-Lawless, Master of Engineering (Biomedical), Flinders University.

Project: Developing a new medical implant for cancer patients who have had orthopaedic surgery.

Adaeze Ekwe, PhD Candidate, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and Queensland University of Technology.

Project: Developing a novel cellular therapy for graft-versus-host disease using genetically modified regulatory T cells.

Erin Humphries, Research Assistant at Children’s Medical Research Institute and Masters by Research Student at the University of Sydney.

Project: Discovering new biological insights into cancer.

Ismat Kabbara, Co-founder, Synbiote and Master of Science in Anatomy, University of NSW.

Project: Making biological materials for pharmaceuticals more efficient to manufacture and affordable.

Marta Orlowska, PhD Candidate, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and Queensland University of Technology.

Project: Investigating metabolic shifts at a cellular level, through time of day dependent influencing factors.

Dr Rowan Page, Lecturer and Industrial Design Program Director, Monash University.

Project: Developing a wearable light sensing device to guide people toward healthier light exposure patterns.

Dr Anushi Rajapaksa, Senior Research Officer, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Founder, Think Project Global.

Project: Developing rapid, life-saving drug delivery for children with infectious respiratory disease.

Rance Brennan B. Tino, PhD Candidate, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and RMIT Centre for Additive Manufacturing, RMIT University.

Project: 3D Printing of bespoke phantoms for treatment planning verifications in radiotherapy

April Van Der Kamp, PhD Candidate, Flinders University.

Project: Developing novel diabetic foot ulcer treatments.

The MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarship Experience

Joining MedTech Actuator Origin, scholars will be exposed to the world of entrepreneurship and see what it takes to commercialise successful healthcare ventures. Topics covered across workshops and an industry-led intensive sprint will include intellectual property, pitching, business modelling, pathways-to-market, regulatory strategies, market analysis and more.

MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholarships will provide recipients with a $1,000 stipend and a pivotal learning experience to amplify their careers as champions for impact-driven healthcare innovation.

Follow their journey – or get ready to become a scholar

Sign up to our newsletter below and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn to follow the journey of scholars – and to find out how to be a 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholar.

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