ACMD Link | Idea to Infrastructure: Microscopy and Histology Capability Platforms

Every clinician, researcher and innovator runs into the same wall. You can see the problem clearly; a device that doesn’t quite work, a workflow that fights you, a diagnostic question your current tools can’t answer, but turning that into something real is where most ideas stall.

This session starts where a lot of good ideas begin: under the microscope. Idea to Infrastructure uses ACMD’s advanced microscopy and histology capabilities as the entry point into a connected suite of platforms; high-resolution imaging, tissue analysis, 3D printing, prototype manufacturing and human kinetics, that take a concept from first look to tested prototype.

You’ll see the capability working, not just described: how a sample or an idea moves through imaging, analysis and refinement, who the infrastructure is for, and exactly how clinicians, researchers and early-stage innovators plug into it.

Whether you’re building a device, a diagnostic or a data-driven tool, you’ll leave knowing what ACMD’s platforms can do, where your project fits, and how to use them to de-risk and accelerate what comes next.

The event will be followed by optional tours of the microscopy and histology labs at ACMD.

This ACMD Link event is powered by ANDHealth

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Tuesday 14 July 2026

Time (AEST):

3:45pm: Guest arrival and registration

4:00pm - 5:00pm: Event proceedings

5:00pm - 6:00pm: Networking and (optional) lab tours

Venue: The Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD), The Discovery Studio (Level 7), 27 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC 3065

Session format: Hybrid delivery with presentations and Q&A (optional tours and networking are in-person only)  

Registration*: Free to attend, but registration is essential

*Registrations will close 9am Monday 13 July 2026

Who should attend:

• Clinicians and researchers

• Early-stage innovators, founders and CXOs

• Medtech, biotech and digital health professionals

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Host: Jason Lemaire, Chief Operating Officer, ACMD

Jason's work spans operational leadership, program delivery, stakeholder engagement and organisational development - helping ensure ACMD functions as a practical, welcoming environment for clinicians, researchers and innovators alike.

With experience across engineering and complex project delivery, Jason brings a thoughtful, collegiate leadership style to his role. He is committed to fostering collaboration, supporting emerging founders and researchers, and strengthening the pathways that connect discovery with real-world clinical and commercial impact.

Ella Trang, Histology and In-Vitro Team Leader, Bionics Institute

Ella is the Histology and In-Vitro Team Leader at the Bionics Institute and is currently managing the Histology Platform at ACMD.

She completed her Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash University in 2016 and is currently completing a PhD in Medical Bionics at the University of Melbourne. Her primary research focus is in histological processing and image analysis, with a particular interest in investigating how the electrode interfaces with neural tissue through optimised three-dimensional visualisation approaches.

Kalyan Shobhana, Platform Support Officer at the Biological Optical Microscopy Platform, University of Melbourne

Kalyan Shobhana is a member of the Biological Optical Microscopy Platform (BOMP) at the University of Melbourne and serves as Microscopy Core Lead at the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD). With a master's degree in biotechnology and a background in biomedical science, Kalyan partners closely with research teams to design tailored imaging solutions, develop automated workflows, and translate complex biological questions into clear, actionable data.

Her collaborative approach has contributed to peer-reviewed publications in journals including Nature Immunology and Nucleic Acids Research. At this event, she will share how ACMD's advanced microscopy capabilities can be leveraged as a practical resource to accelerate research and drive projects forward.

Important note for attendees:

Please be advised that photographs and videos may be taken by ACMD and ANDHealth staff. By attending this event, you agree to being filmed or photographed, and acknowledge that these may be used for marketing or promotional purposes.

As a condition of complimentary registration, all guests attending this event will be required to complete a short post-event survey. Your feedback supports continuous improvement and helps shape the direction of future industry activities.