Early career researchers and postgraduate students working in nanotechnology will benefit from the experience of industry leaders when Griffith University hosts the two-day Australian Nanotechnology Network (ANN) entrepreneurial workshop, starting today (June 10).
Sponsored by the federal Department of Industry and Science and Griffith University, the workshop will be held at Griffith’s Gold Coast campus and provide insight into how young researchers may capitalise on commercial opportunities in the field.
With nanotechnology one of the fastest growing areas of science and technology, the ANN seeks to enhance research outcomes through effective forums and collaborations and by exposing researchers to alternative and complementary approaches from other fields, increasing nanotechnology infrastructure, heightening awareness of existing infrastructure, and promoting international links.
“We have more than 100 young attendees coming to the workshop from throughout Australia and New Zealand and they will hear from a range of inspirational and expert speakers,” says Associate Professor Francesca Iacopi, from Griffith’s Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre (QMNC).
“We want to make young researchers aware that nanotechnology has a commercial value and then show them how they can take advantage of that potential.
“Attendees will participate in group meetings and mentoring sessions and will be able pitch a commercial strategy for their research to our experts.”
Guest speakers at the ANN workshop include —
Professor Gary Eden, University of Illinois: Lessons learned in co-founding two photonics/chemical processing companies;
Professor Tim Senden, Australian National University: Lost in translation, a story of industry engagement;
Ms Rosie Hicks, CEO of the Australian National Fabrication Facility: Tapping into Australia’s research infrastructure. How to get your idea off to a flying start;
Dr Stefan Harrier, IBM: Generating intellectual property — trading entrepreneurial currency;
Dr Steven Duvall, Silanna: Nanotechnology commercialisation, from theory to practice.
Griffith University speakers will be Professor Ronald Quinn, Director of the Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, and Dr Benjamin Simpson, from the School of Engineering.
Associate Professor Iacopi is co-chair of the workshop with Dr Tim Gould, also of the QMNC, and Ms Siobhan Bradley, from the University of South Australia.