KCA Annual Conference 2024

Anne Bannister

Anne Bannister is the Head of Social & Behavioural Sciences at UniQuest, the commercialisation company of The University of Queensland. She specialises in commercialising UQ’s evidence-based technologies and programs which transform the way global communities tackle mental health and wellbeing, chronic disease, public health, education, and ageing, leveraging technology for enabling sustainable delivery at scale. With previous executive management roles in commercial and non-government organisations, her expertise in building businesses based on commercialising IP was developed in her own start-up. Anne has a Bachelor of Commerce from UQ, is a Chartered Accountant, a Justice of the Peace (QLD Qualified), and is a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Rajiv Cabraal

Rajiv is focussed on developing and driving CSIRO's enterprise-wide commercialisation strategy and leading a team of passionate people working to translate science & technology from the lab into products & services that are available in the market and deliver real world benefits. Rajiv has over 24 years of commercial, legal, and leadership experience, working with researchers, investors, and other partners to create opportunities for new start-ups, licenses, and other collaborative ventures. Rajiv has been recognised as one of Australia’s leading technology lawyers, and regularly speaks and mentors others on innovation, commercialisation, and digital disruption.

Dan Carlisle

Dan is a Commercialisation Manager at Massey Ventures, overseeing the Massey University's commercialisation pipeline and managing a portfolio of active projects. Prior to joining the team, Dan was a research associate at Consumer Insights Ltd with experience in branding and market validation. Dan also sits on the KiwiNet Pipeline Committee and is a co-founder of Nexus, an initiative supporting early/mid-career commercialisation professionals.

Will Charles RTTP

Will Charles has been Executive Director Investment since 2005. In the last six years alone UniServices has started, supported and invested in 43 technology-based companies that have raised nearly $1 billion million in venture and seed funding for these companies. In 2016 he founded and manages the University of Auckland Inventors Fund, a $40m evergreen fund dedicated to start-ups generated by staff and students at the University of Auckland.

Quin Chang RTTP

Quin is the current Chair of Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia Ltd and has been a Director on KCA’s board since 2018. Quin is also the Director of Enterprise Development function at La Trobe University which is responsible for the development of strategic partnerships and enterprise opportunities. Over his 20 year career, Quin has held various industry engagement and business development positions in the higher education sector as well as research and development roles in the automotive industry.Quin is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Registered Technology Transfer Professional, holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Degree from RMIT University and a Diploma of Project Management.

Dave Christensen RTTP

Dave is an experienced manager with responsibility for the University of Otago's commercialisation company - Otago Innovation Ltd. He joined Otago Innovation in 2007 as a commercialisation manager, and subsequently held senior commercialisation manager and GM roles in the organisation, before taking up the reigns as CEO in 2018. Dave has a wealth of experience in assessing, project managing and concluding deals based off of academic research. In addition to managing the company’s day to day activities, Dave has been and continues to be involved in a number of investment committees such as Return on Science’s Biotech & Pharma &Otago Momentum, as well as the Brandon BioCatalyst investment review committee. Dave also serves on various start-up company boards.As the University of Otago's commercialisation company, Otago Innovation is responsible for the identification, protection and transfer of intellectual property generated by academic staff at the University of Otago to newly formed spinout companies or established industry.

Mark Cleaver RTTP

Throughout a career in resource management, research management and commercialisation, Mark has always had a strong interest in business and in particular the role that science based business can play in supporting wider societal goals. After roles at Landcare Research and Massey University, Mark is currently the CEO of Massey Ventures Ltd, a subsidiary of the University that operates as an early stage commercialisation and venture investment business. Mark is a director of 7 portfolio companies, a founder and an active investor in technology start-ups and primary sector assets.

Shalini Divya

Dr Shalini Divya invented the TasmanIon technology during her PhD at Victoria University of Wellington in 2019. She is the author of numerous published papers and the proud recipient of the prestigious Breakthrough Innovator Award presented by KiwiNet and several grant fundings. She has passionately advocated for TasmanIon technology since her graduate school days and closed the oversubscribed pre-seed round in New Zealand. She has a Bachelor's and Master's in Chemistry from India.

Chris Downs

As a leader at the interface between science and industry, Dr Chris Downs oversees the development and delivery of innovations that add value to the food and beverage sector and global consumers.

He has more than 30 years’ experience in the agrifood industry as a scientist, innovation leader and executive with a focus on science and innovations that support the development of crops, foods and beverages that are healthy, safe and sustainably produced.Dr Downs is Immediate Past President of IFT (Institute of Food Technologists), USA, and was formerly General Manager, Crop and Food Science at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Laura Droessler-Dansie

Laura has worked in Tech Transfer at the University of Oxford, where amongst many things she delivered a large international entrepreneurship program for university researchers run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, and at UNSW, where she led the Physical Sciences team and looked after commercialisation activities across a wide area, including the quantum space. A TT professional turned deep tech investor, Laura is now an Investment Manager at Uniseed, where she works with partner universities and the CSIRO to develop and invest in university spin-out companies. Laura holds a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Oxford.

Stephen Flint RTTP

Stephen joined UniServices, the commercialisation company of the University of Auckland, in 2009 as Commercialisation Manager for Physical Sciences and Digital Technologies. Currently as a Director of Investments his focus is on the utilisation and management of the University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund which was established in 2016 as a pre-seed and seed stage investment fund investing in new ventures from staff and students of the University of Auckland. Previous to UniServices, Stephen was a Business Manager at the Foundation for Research Science and Technology working with New Zealand businesses seeking R&D funding support from the government. Other roles have included Finance Analyst for NZ Post’s Auckland Mail Centres as well as 4 years working in various financial roles in London. Stephen has a Masters in Science and Technology majoring in Earth Science and Oceanography for the University of Waikato.

Nancy Garrity

Dr Nancy Garrity works to provide strategic leadership at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research for engagement and business growth with iwi, hapū and the Māori sector. With an interest in developing sustainable partnership practices to draw out solutions that give effect to Māori aspirations and priorities for the betterment of all Aotearoa. Previous mahi has included leading novel programmes that align scientists to work with multiple iwi and hapū entities. With a background in science leadership her interests stem from integrating mātauranga Māori based on how traditional uses might gain contemporary application.

John Grace AO RTTP

John is an Independent Director on KCA’s board, since joining in 2018 as the representative of UniSA Ventures. He is the Treasurer of KCA and is the Chair of the SCOPR Committee. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from UNSW, a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors. John has worked in the biotechnology research commercialisation space for over 50 years. He was the Chief Executive Officer for 11 years of AMRAD a listed company commercialising medical research technology. He has been a member of many government committees and private company boards. His award as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018 was for his contribution to biotechnology research and its commercialisation.

Gregory Harper

Greg is a science professional and experienced company director. He is a biological scientist who focusses on the translation of knowledge into commercial, environmental and social benefits particularly in the Australian agrifood sector. Greg has worked in five countries and for multiple Australian organisations, which. allows him to view the system from multiple perspectives. Greg’s work has been recognised internationally through the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals as an RTTP and through being chair the KCA Ag and Food Special Interest Group. He currently works in a senior business development role at the University of Melbourne and sits on several NFP boards.

Alan Hucks

Alan, a seasoned innovator with 20 years of experience, excels in the entrepreneurial realm. He founded and successfully exited three startups and serves as a mentor, guiding entrepreneurs in innovation methodology.

Leading business development and the incubator growth program at Creative HQ, New Zealand's top innovation training provider, he collaborated with UniServices on projects like HalolPT, acquired by Qualcomm. Alan is a dedicated advocate for science commercialisation and champions creative technologies and digital innovation, emphasising their crucial roles in New Zealand's future success.

Amy Hunter

Amy is the Executive Director of Deakin University’s $386m Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy Hub (REACH) and is a member of Deakin’s Research and Innovation Portfolio’s Executive holding responsibility for Business Development, Intellectual Property, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship. Amy’s qualifications include engineering and science degrees, registration as a patent and trade mark attorney, an Executive MBA, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With has over twenty years’ experience in innovation management, including in private practice and universities, Amy supports collaboration and commercialisation with a particular focus on cleaner, greener future.

David Ireland

Dr David Ireland is an experienced entrepreneur, investor, and commercialization advisor. He has founded, invested, and sold several technology-based businesses across financial services, aquaculture, agriculture, energy, and health sectors. As a commercialization consultant, he has advised and mentored over 1500 researchers and entrepreneurs leading to the creation of over 40 companies that raised over $500m in capital. David is on the investment committee for the UniQuest Extension Fund, is a Partner at Significant Venture Capital, and is an active angel investor. David is a Fulbright Fellow, an honorary Professor at ANU, and has been a director of several environmental not-for-profits.

Stephen Lam

Stephen is a seasoned commercialisation manager with a decade of global experience in university technology transfer, spanning the UK, Hong Kong and Australia. At Macquarie University, he passionately pursues innovative strategies to accelerate research translation, drive innovation, and mentoring the next generation of tech transfer professionals. Stephen has a proven track record of successfully commercialising intellectual property across diverse sectors, forging strategic partnerships, and nurturing a thriving ecosystem of startups and industry collaborators.

Rohan McDougall

Rohan is the Director of the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer and Executive Director of Commercialisation at Curtin with responsibility for the Universities commercialisation and startup programs. He has 30+ years of experience in commercialisation of new technologies, including establishment and operation of numerous technology based companies. Rohan has worked in both startup and large organisations. Qualifications include a Bachelor of Science, an MBA from the AGSM and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Other activities include cofounding a number of innovation community events including West Tech Fest.

Jimmy McLauchlan

Jimmy is responsible for the scaling-up of evidence-based social and education programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand. Jimmy’s work includes; leading the scaling of the ENGAGE self-regulation programme (funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Education to reach 2,200 early learning services), the ENRICH oral language programme for early childhood education, the Tawhaki Tātai Reo VR education programme for prison-based learners, and transitional youth housing services for teenagers who would otherwise be homeless. Jimmy works closely with university-based subject matter experts, politicians, policymakers, cultural capability partners and frontline workers to translate evidence-based intellectual property into effective social services at scale.

Shane Meaney

Shane’s role at IP Group spans across the physical sciences, where he identifies and supports investment into potentially world-changing companies from clean energy, to resources & agriculture, and next-generation computing.

Shane began his career as a university researcher in Materials Chemistry at Monash University, where he supervised students, co-authored scientific papers, and nurtured a budding entrepreneurial passion. He went on to support world-leading researchers in quantum technology and clean energy in a commercialisation role at UNSW, before joining IP Group in 2021.

Shane holds a PhD in Chemistry, and bachelor’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Science.

Amanda McAlpine RTTP

Amanda McAlpine RTTP, is currently the Director of Ontom Consulting, a commercialisation and communication consulting company and on the global Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP) Board.Amanda is an accredited Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP), serving six years on Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia (KCA) Board. She has over 20 years’ experience in translating research intellectual property, commercialisation, communications consulting and business development, including within an Australian Research Development Corporation, the University sector, various Research Cooperative Research Centre Committees, Commercialisation oversight Committees, Cooperative Research Centres advisory and SMEs. She has considerable business development, knowledge transfer and negotiating experience, including attracting commercial partners/investors, finalising over 400 licences/commercial agreements, a wealth of experience in assessing investment and setting up large R&D programs, with multiple partners and competing objectives. Amanda’s background also includes several years developing and managing small businesses.

Tori McNoe

Tori's work centers on Māori/Indigenous pathways, focusing on indigenising Commercialisation and Investment to empower Indigenous IP and ideation. With a background in Criminal Justice and Arts (Sociology & Psychology) from the University of Canterbury, Tori is a young Māori leader passionate about integrating Indigenous youth into the innovation ecosystem. She brings experience in youth engagement and has held leadership roles, including Chair of the Canterbury Momentum Investment Committee and the first Māori Chair/President of the University of Canterbury Students Association. Tori also Chairs the Arowhenua Māori School Board, serves on the Soul Capital Board, and as a Trustee of the Science Alive! Board, fostering youth pathways in STEAM.

Fady Mishriki

Fady Mishriki is a globally-recognised entrepreneur and innovator, most widely known as the founder of wireless charging technology company PowerbyProxi - which spun-out of the University of Auckland in 2007 and was acquired by a major US company in 2017.

Anthony Millgate

Anthony holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Australian National University and is currently the Assistant Secretary of the Research Commercialisation Branch at the Australian Government Department of Education. Anthony has 20 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service, including over 10 years as a senior leader. Anthony has led numerous programs and reforms including, Medicare compliance improvements, national mental health reforms, implementing Australia’s world’s first tobacco plain packaging legislation and coordinating the Departments of Health’s role in the defence against the tobacco industry in the High Court of Australia, International Court and the World Trade Organisation.

Roberto Persivale

Roberto is an innovation leader with over a decade of experience working across Australia, Latin America, and Asia. He has collaborated with public and private sectors to develop innovation capabilities, design incubation and acceleration programs, and support international companies entering new markets. Roberto has played key roles in delivering CSIRO’s ON programs and NSW DPI’s GATE initiative. He also led the design of the Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network (IPPIN), a platform addressing plastic waste. With a strong track record coaching over 150 teams, Roberto's expertise spans AgTech, healthcare, social impact, circular economy, and renewable energy across various organisations.

Ella Moffat

Ella Moffat is a Commercialisation Manager at Massey Ventures. She is three years into her career, having been an intern and Massey Ventures Student Board Observer before joining the team full-time in 2021. Ella is responsible for setting up and managing the Massey Ventures Student Investment Fund and a portfolio of projects spanning animal welfare, human health, and agritech. Recently, Ella completed a 2-month knowledge exchange based at Louisiana State University under AUTM Chair Andy Maas and Spencer Rogers, where she learned about different models and approaches to commercialisation utilized by both public and private universities across the US.

Michelle Polgase

Michelle brings industry experience both as a founder, and from working within high growth global technology companies to her commercialisation role at KiwiNet. Michelle has extensive experience within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, from delivering accelerator programmes to advising ventures. Michelle is a champion for research commercialisation, and as a recreational pilot has a keen interest in advanced aviation, aerospace technologies and clean energy solutions.

Danielle Neale

Danielle Neale is the Director of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise at the University of Newcastle, leading collaboration between industry, government, and academia in the Hunter region. With over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital transformation, she specialises in research commercialisation. Danielle holds an MBA from UNSW AGSM and studied a Bachelor's in Biotechnology Innovation at Queensland University of Technology. As a former startup founder, board member, and coach, she has raised millions for research, driven significant cultural change, and implemented award-winning programs.

Erin Rayment RTTP

Dr Erin Rayment is Vice-President (Business Development) at QUT and has over 15 years’ experience in academic research, industry engagement and commercialisation. She also holds leadership roles in organisations that support the development and growth of the Australian innovation ecosystem, including as Director at the Translational Research Institute Australia, Director at Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia, Chairperson of QUT Bluebox, and as a Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program board member. An interdisciplinary biologist with expertise in regenerative medicine, cell therapy and bioprocessing, Erin is also a Superstar of STEM, a program that aims to increase the visibility and diversity of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Her mission is to foster collaboration, innovation, and impact across disciplines and sectors.

Alex Romero

Alex is a deeptech early-stage investor with a founder background and experience in biotech, design, finance, and non-profit sectors, she focuses on identifying and nurturing ideas and she's on a mission with Main Sequence to uncover the next deeptech giants, driven by her passion for fueling growth within the ecosystem.

Marc Sedam RTTP

As vice president of Technology Opportunities & Ventures, Marc Sedam is responsible for commercializing the intellectual assets across the three campuses of New York University, including its #2 ranked medical school, for one of the top performing tech transfer offices in the United States. Marc previously served on the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) board of directors from 2015 to 2016 as the vice president for professional development, responsible for AUTM’s education and training activities, and was the chair of AUTM in 2020.

Zahra Shahbazian RTTP

Zahra is an experienced commercialisation and technology transfer professional, currently serving as a board member of Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia (KCA) and Director of her own consultancy firm Kimia Innovations, where she advises on innovation strategy, strategic engagement and venture creation. In her previous role as Senior Business Initiatives Manager at University of Wollongong, Zahra played a pivotal role in establishing industry partnerships, managing intellectual property, and creating university spinouts and start-ups. A Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), she is committed to fostering collaboration between research institutions and industry to drive impactful outcomes.

Graham Strong

Graham has 25 years of business experience, the last 12 with Otago Innovation. He has a PhD in Botany, a Master of Laws [focusing on commercialisation of Maori medical knowledge in manuka] and did postdoctoral work on organic rice production at UC Davis. As Otago Innovation’s expert in natural product commercialisation and indigenous intellectual property. Graham also co-owns one of New Zealand’s premium saffron farming operations. Operating for over 12 years, the operation produces high quality premium grade saffron for their flagship nutraceutical eye health product.

Kate Taylor RTTP

Kate Taylor is Executive Director of Industry Engagement at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where she leads efforts to drive strategic research partnerships, foster innovation, and commercialise QUT’s intellectual property. With over 13 years of experience in technology transfer and business development, Kate’s experience spans diverse sectors including health, agriculture, defence, education, and creative industries, all aimed at delivering impactful, real-world outcomes. Kate is a Registered Technology Transfer Professional and holds a Bachelor of Biotechnology (First Class Honours) from the University of Queensland. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In addition to her role at QUT, Kate serves on the board of the Queensland Social Enterprise Council and chairs the Queensland Network Chapter of Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia. Recognised as an AgriFutures Future Young Leader in 2019, Kate is committed to fostering collaboration and entrepreneurship across sectors.

Louisa Warren

Louisa Warren hails from Badu Island in the Torres Strait and brings over 18 years of experience in Indigenous affairs. As an Executive Manager and Advisory Group member, she has successfully led a range of organisational strategies that cultivate sustainable and meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Since joining CSIRO in 2018, Louisa has been instrumental in leading Indigenous engagement and strategy as the Executive Manager for Indigenous Science and Engagement. Her team plays a vital role in implementing the CSIRO’s Reconciliation Action Plan and has successfully developed and launched CSIRO’s Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Principles. In recognition of her impactful contributions, Louisa was honoured as Indigenous Leader of the Year 2023 by Women in Digital and recognised as a COSMOS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM Leader in 2024.

Melissa Yiannoutsos

Melissa leads venture capital investments at Booster NZ – a Kiwi-owned financial institute and government-appointed pension fund provider. She manages the publicly listed Booster Innovation Fund (BIF) – the first of its kind on the NZX which enables retail investors to invest in early-stage companies predominately originating out of NZ’s universities. With more than 20 years’ experience in science commercialisation and investment for both the public and private sectors, Melissa was pivotal in establishing New Zealand’s first Angel Investment Network in 2002, before moving into science commercialisation and managing early-stage investment funds.

She has first-hand start-up experience, and throughout her career, has been involved in every aspect of translating research into products, and getting these to international markets. She remains hugely passionate about supporting entrepreneurs who drive significant change. See was also recently inducted into NZ’s Life Sciences Hall of Fame for her contributions to the sector.

Speakers