Professor Lauren Ayton AM appointed to role of Associate Dean Innovation and Enterprise

Professor Ayton will be responsible for driving a culture of entrepreneurship and accelerating the faculty’s research translation and impact through the delivery of funding schemes and professional development programs. She will also help oversee the portfolio’s Advisory Board which provides invaluable support to teams leading innovative research projects.

Professor Ayton is a Professorial Fellow in the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences and the Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), working across the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Eye Research Australia. She is currently leading research projects into inherited retinal diseases, including clinical trials of gene therapy and molecular treatments for sight loss.

She brings extensive industry experience to the role through her involvement in several start-up companies, including her time as Clinical Research Team Leader of the Bionic Vision Australia consortium, and Director of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Bionic Eye Technologies in the United States.

Across both roles, she was responsible for strategic planning, business development and investor pitches, and led preparations for clinical trials–including the first in-human trial of Australia’s first bionic eye device.

Her sustained impact has led to her being included on the Australia Day Honours List last month for significant service to optometry, ophthalmology, and to public health as a clinician and researcher.

The role was previously held by Professor Peter Choong AO, who was recently due to return from sabbatical leave however has decided to focus his attention on his research and his role as Head of the Department of Surgery in the Melbourne Medical School.

The faculty thanks Peter for his extensive contributions to the portfolio and his leadership that has overseen the introduction of a host of initiatives directed at staff and students.