About SPARK

About

SPARK Melbourne is a university and industry partnership program that supports MDHS researchers in their efforts to translate their research discoveries into therapeutics, diagnostics and medical devices that benefit patients.

Sponsored by the University of Melbourne, SPARK Melbourne teams up our researchers with industry experts – providing access to specialised knowledge, technical expertise and sources of funding to support translational efforts.

SPARK Melbourne’s priorities are to support researchers in their bench-to-bedside efforts, to increase the success rate of grant applications related to translational research (e.g. NHMRC Development Grants and ARC Linkage grants) and to drive further engagement between academia and the biotech/medtech industries both nationally and internationally.

SPARK Melbourne is directed by clinician-scientist Associate Professor Lauren Ayton, who has extensive experience in research translation and commercialisation.

SPARK Melbourne is modelled on the original SPARK program at Stanford University Medical School, founded by Professor Daria Mochly-Rosen in 2006, which has since spread to more than 75 academic institutions in 23 countries worldwide.