VESKI in the Community
Boardroom Luncheons
Showcasing VESKI Achievements
VESKI Chairman Professor Snow Barlow and the VESKI Board hosted a luncheon event in July 2008 to showcase the work of its Innovation Fellows and VESKI’s current strategies to a prestigious audience of philanthropists, venture capitalists and government.
VESKI Chairman Professor Snow Barlow and Minister for Innovation Gavin Jennings MLC at the VESKI Boardroom luncheon.
VESKI CEO Julia Page said the event was a great opportunity to introduce the VESKI Innovation Fellows to the new Minister for Innovation, Gavin Jennings and to hear first hand the progress of their research projects.
“The value of the Fellowships goes beyond returning scientists to Victoria. VESKI is proud to facilitate occasions such as these to provide the opportunity to introduce the VESKI Fellows to the broader innovation community including key venture capitalists.”
The event was generously supported by Bell Potter thanks to VESKI Director Lewis Johnson who is an advisor with Bell Potter Securities Ltd. The 29th Floor boardroom provided a spectacular backdrop for this event.
New VESKI Innovation Fellow Professor Sarah Hosking outlined her project looking at the ‘anatomy and function of the brain in human Glaucoma’. Her project is a joint activity based at the Centre for Eye Research Australia collaborating with Professor Jonathan Crowston, Head of the Glaucoma Unit and Professor Graeme Jackson at the Brain Research Institute at the Austin Hospital.
Professor Marcus Pandy updated the audience on the development of his new technologies for the non-invasive assessment of musculoskeletal health, in particular the degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis.
VESKI Innovation Fellow Professor Marcus Pandy shares the developments of his research project with the attendees of the VESKI luncheon.
Dr. Gareth Forde shared the diversity of his original research in vaccine technology and increasing the speed in which vaccines can be produced. He is now collaborating on research towards a viable malaria vaccine, developing an engineering strategy to generate bio-diesel from algae and applications for preventing inflammatory lung diseases.
By the end of 2008, VESKI will have relocated eight VESKI Innovation Fellows to Australia, granted more than 15 VESKI Awards and held as many as 20 events to raise community awareness across Victoria in the fields of science, design and innovative technology using the endowment funds from the Victorian Government.
Clockwise from left; VESKI Innovation Fellows: Professor Marcus Pandy, Professor Sarah Hosking and Dr Gareth Forde.
The Minister for Innovation, Gavin Jennings told the gathering, “Our focus on creating world-class research infrastructure and a supportive climate for science, technology and innovation is turning the brain drain into a brain gain."
VESKI Chairman Professor Snow Barlow said it is clear from the work of existing VESKI Innovation Fellows that the returns to Victoria from the original financial investment are paying off.
“To date the return on investment is 15:1 which is a wonderful achievement.”
“The Board event also showcased VESKI’s unique ability to facilitate vibrant discussions directly with the Minister about commercial outcomes in science that might be possible in Victoria and Australia.”
Professor Barlow said it was a pleasure to hear first hand, the Minister’s thoughts on the future directions for innovation in Victoria.
He said the Government is very keen to compliment its strong base in biotechnologies, in particular, medical biotechnologies, to develop a strong base in environmental and water conservation research with regard to climate change and products that may be required in those areas.
Photographs by Jim Lee Photo.
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VESKI Hosts Board Room Luncheon with Professor E Blackburn
VESKI in conjunction with Clayton Utz, held an intimate board room luncheon on the 18 June 2007 at Clayton Utz, with guest speaker Professor Elizabeth Blackburn.
Distinguished guests from across the science and business community and academia were present at the luncheon. Professor Blackburn was the Monash University Louis Matheson Distinguished Visiting Professor and she delivered an address on the topic of 'Science, Politics and Discovery.'
Professor Blackburn's presentation on the process of aging and her discovery of telemerase proved to be very stimulating and provided much discussion and debate on the current lifestyles of the distinguished guests.
Professor Blackburn is an Australian born scientist and graduate of the University of Melbourne, Professor Blackburn now resides in the USA. She is a professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco.
Following a distinguished and honoured career, Professor Blackburn was awarded the Albert Lasker Award for basic Medical Research in 2006. Her research in the area of telomere and telomerase is world renowned.
To download Professor Blackburn’s Biography please click here.
Through VESKI’s International Connections Program, VESKI is able to support bringing world renowned scientists and leading edge researches to Australia to facilitate world class education and training.
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Pfizer Head Gives Insight into Big Pharma Versus Biotech
In October 2005, VESKI and the BioMelbourne Network held a CEO luncheon featuring Dr David Alker, the Senior Research Fellow, Head - Discovery Staffing Group, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Sandwich Laboratories in the United Kingdom.
Dr Alker spoke about how technical convergence and innovation partnership models are affecting the big pharma. He also gave the audience the benefit of his observations on how Australian talent moving to the major northern hemisphere markets to further their careers and skill levels, can engage with the big pharmaceutical companies.
Left to Right: Mr Tim Murphy - BioMelbourne Network (Co-Host), Dr Rachel Cameron - Tanner Menzies (Co-Host), Dr David Alker - Pfizer Global Research and Development and Ms Julia Page - VESKI.
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The Hon John Brumby MP hosts Boardroom Lunch
In May 2005, The Hon John Brumby MP, Treasurer and Minister for Innovation, State and Regional Development, hosted a boardroom luncheon to introduce the first three outstanding VESKI Fellows to eminent people in the Melbourne business and philanthropic community.
This was the first of a series of luncheons that helped to build strong networks and financial support for VESKI’s programs locally and internationally.
Left To Right: Professor Pandy (VESKI Fellow), Professor Clarke AC (VESKI Chair) and Dr Forde (VESKI Fellow).
Left To Right: Professor Pandy (VESKI Fellow), Ms Julia Page (VESKI Executive Director) and Professor Holmes (Inaugral VESKI Fellow)
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