Our 2020 program
Congratulations to our 2020 SPARK Melbourne cohort, namely:
- Associate Professor Laura Downie (Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, MSHS)
- Dr Fiona Brownfoot (Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MMS)
- Dr William Figgett (Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SBS)
- Dr Linda Wakim (Department of Microbiology and Immunology , SBS)
- Dr Glen Carter (Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SBS)
- Professor Peter Crack (Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, SBS)
- Associate Professor Bang Bui (Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, MSHS)
- Dr Anis Hamid (Department of Surgery, MMS) – Movember-sponsored SPARKee
Researchers were selected on the strength of their projects in relation to the following criteria:
- Addresses an unmet clinical need of significance to human health
- High likelihood for implementation into clinical practice
- Includes a novel approach with potential to file IP or already has IP
- Potential to achieve proof of concept to increase the likelihood of developing IP or licensing opportunities, developing clinical trial prospects, forming a spin-out or achieving grant success related to translational research (e.g. NHMRC Development Grants, ARC Linkage Grants) within a two-year period
Our researchers each receive $50,000 to improve licensing and/or clinical trials prospects for their projects. Throughout 2020, researchers will be paired with industry mentors and will have their projects regularly stress-tested to prepare them for industry evaluation.
Applications for the next round of SPARK Melbourne will open next year.