Meet the 2023 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholars

The MedTech Actuator and Menzies Foundation is delighted to announce the 2023 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 group comprises exceptional, diverse, and promising Scholars, poised to fast-track their research and embark on the journey of commercialisation, spanning Australia and beyond. – Liz Gillies, CEO, of the Menzies Foundation.

Introducing the 2023 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholars

The 2023 MedTech Actuator Menzies Scholars are driven by a deep passion to create healthcare innovations that have the potential to enhance and preserve lives. Their diverse expertise encompasses various fields, including orthopedics, neurology, genomics, immunology, mental health, biomechanical engineering, tropical diseases, and beyond.

Scholarship recipients include:

  • Aadam Khan, PHD Candidate – BABS UNSW. Project: Novel circular RNA therapeutic for high-risk neuroblastoma treatment
  • Abdul Azees Ajmal, PhD Student at Bionics institute and the RMIT University. Project: Developing the Next Generation of Neural Stimulation Devices
  • Chidozie (Elvis) Chidi-Ezeama – Founder – Biomicrology Project: Biochrome
  • Jason Holland, PhD Candidate / Founder – UNSW, Nanoscale Pharmaceutics. Project: Tailoring ultraporous MOFs as a highly modular, theranostic drug delivery platform
  • Kha Phan, Research Fellow (La Trobe University). Project: Developing a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent infection-associated inflammation
  • Layal El Wazan, 2nd year PhD student at Centre for Eye Research Australia/ UoM. Project: Genetically modifying VEGF receptors to prevent vision loss in neovascular eye disease
  • Mingrui Sun, PhD candidate, University of Mlebourne. Project: Myo79 (Intelligent muscle activity sensor) 
  • Muhsin Kizhisseri, Doctoral degree researcher (PhD) at Deakin University, Geelong. Project: Blood Flow Simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamics technique for the prediction of human brain stroke  
  • Ruwini Cooray, PhD Researcher – Deakin University. Project: Neurogen Global
  • Sergey Tumanov, Senior Research Scientist. Project: Fluxomics: Discovering the changing language of cells in cardiovascular disease

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.

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.