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We’re excited to share the names of our GENE Award winners, after our hugely successful Gala Awards Luncheon.
More than 220 government, industry and research institution leaders, and the researchers and service providers making it all happen, joined us to celebrate the best of Queensland’s booming life sciences sector.
We received a record field of nominees this year, making it tough for our judges to decide the winners:
Rose-Anne Kelso Commemorative Award
In memory of Rose-Anne Kelso, this award recognises an individual woman’s endeavours, passion, and dedication to the health and life sciences industry. Now in its tenth year, this award was created by Stockwell and LSQ to continue Rose's commitment to supporting women to achieve their full potential.
· Dr Nathalie Bock, Senior Research Fellow and Principal Investigator, QUT, a leading cancer researcher focusing on breast and prostate cancer.
Emerging Innovator Award
Sponsored by KE Select, this award recognises early-stage ventures in the life sciences sector that have shown remarkable dedication and innovation in their research and development.
· InfensaBioscience, a startup from The University of Queensland (UQ), developers of life-saving therapies using venom from the K’gari (Fraser Island) funnel web spider.
Woman of Influence Award
Sponsored by QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, this award recognises an individual woman for her endeavours, passion and dedication to the Queensland life sciences sector over her career.
· Professor Ranjeny Thomas, Arthritis Chair of Rheumatology, UQ Frazer Institute, renowned for her work in preventing and curing autoimmune diseases.
Industry Excellence Award
Sponsored by McCullough Robertson, this award celebrates an individual who has made a significant impact on the success of the Queensland life sciences industry.
· Professor Mark Kendall, Founder and CEO, WearOptimo, the innovator behind wearable technology that monitors hydration and heart failure biomarkers in real time.
Rural and Regional Service Award
Sponsored by Merck Life Science, this award recognises a person whose dedication contributes to the ongoing success and sustainability of rural and regional Queensland’s life sciences industry.
· Professor Peter Timms, Deputy Director, Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, a pioneer in developing vaccines for chlamydia in koalas.
Company of the Year Award
Sponsored by Cytiva, this award celebrates an outstanding company that has made a significant impact in Queensland’s life sciences sector over the last year.
· UniSCClinical Trials, providing access to cutting-edge therapeutics and medical devices through their extensive clinical research network.
The standard of nominations this year was exceptional, and our finalists made the made the judges' final choice very difficult.
Read the winners' citations.
Read more about our finalists.
