Two Australian researchers have been announced as 2022 MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellows. Congratulations to Dr Warwick Nesbitt and Dr Gregory Stewart who are set to transform their research impact.
In partnership with the Medtech Actuator, the Foundation is incubating a ‘talent investor’ approach which supports high potential science entrepreneurs to transition from institutional contexts and navigate the ‘funding and resource cliff’ between research and the development of investable enterprises.
We are delighted to announce the the Fellowship will provide Warwick and Gregory with a strong grounding in entrepreneurship, commercialisation, and the startup ecosystem. This will help to unlock the potential of their respective research on cardiovascular disease and schizophrenia.
Transforming research for clinicians and patients, faster.
As MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellows, Warwick and Gregory will receive mentorship from industry experts, a $20K stipend, networking opportunities and invitations to exclusive events. The MedTech Actuator’s network will become their network not just throughout the program, but for life. Fellows will meet the brightest MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech founders in the MedTech Actuator – Asia Pacific’s MedTech accelerator. They will connect with MedTech Actuator’s extensive partner ecosystem spanning hospitals, product development firms, multinational corporations, and investors.
How it works.
Initially, Warwick and Gregory will embark on 6 months of mentorship. They’ll work with serial MedTech entrepreneurs and investors within the MedTech Actuator community, focusing on both technology and personal development. During the second 6-month phase, Fellows will take part in a tailored version of our flagship, industry-led accelerator.
They’ll learn how to navigate key inflection moments in the commercialisation journey, from developing regulatory and reimbursement strategies to product development, approaching investors, and building a team. Importantly, they’ll learn with – and from – other MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech founders from across Asia Pacific.
Meet Dr Warwick Nesbitt. Dr Warwick Nesbitt is the Laboratory Head of the Haematology Micro-platforms Group within the Australian Centre for Blood Disease, Monash University. His multidisciplinary group focusses on the development of novel lab-on-a-chip technologies with applications to: basic haematology / cell biology research. new diagnostics in thrombosis and haemostasis and new antithrombotic drug discovery.
“A key inspiration for our technology is the prevalence and impact that cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attack and stroke have on the community. Having had family members’ quality of life impacted through the devastating effects of stroke I am keenly aware of the need for better diagnostics and therapeutics in this area of medicine. My hope is that by developing better tests of blood function we can improve the clinical management of cardiovascular disease patients. Through the MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship I hope to develop a better understanding of the MedTech landscape in Australia and internationally, and to access the experience, expertise, and networks necessary to commercialise our lab-on-a-chip technologies. I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity to be mentored by experts in MedTech commercialisation and translation.” -Dr Warwick Nesbitt
“Mental health issues have touched my personal life as they have touched the lives of the vast majority of people.The current medicines to treat diseases, like schizophrenia, are far from ideal. My drive is to create new medicines for psychiatric diseases to improve the quality of life of those affected.
Schizophrenia is a disease that has no effective treatment options. I believe my project can create a therapeutic for schizophrenia with vastly improved efficacy and greatly reduced side effect profile – thereby improving patient outcomes.
Through the MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship I hope to connect with industry leaders in Australia and the region, whilst gaining a deeper understanding on the inner workings of the Australian BioTech industry. Becoming a MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow will form a critical component in the transition I wish to make into an industry-oriented position and Australian BioTech.” -Dr Gregory Stewart
Are you a future MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellow? If you’re a career researcher, or if you know someone who might be interested in transforming their research, stay tuned for future MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship intakes.
