2026 Dean’s Seminar & Research Showcase
Description
Hear bold ideas. Explore our facilities. Meet our researchers.
La Trobe University’s School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment invites alumni, industry partners, government representatives, researchers, staff and students to the 2026 Dean’s Seminar and Research Showcase.
Hosted by Professor Robyn Murphy, Dean of the School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, the event will showcase the School’s research capabilities and facilities while creating opportunities for new connections across research, industry and the wider community.
Hear bold ideas at the annual Dean’s Seminar, explore our facilities through a guided tour, meet our researchers and connect with guests from across industry, government, academia and the wider community.
Keynote Seminar
Beyond Ozempic: The Next Frontier in Metabolic Medicine
Professor Garron Dodd
Professor and Head of the Metabolic Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Melbourne
Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Gallant Bio and OberX Bio
Garron Dodd leads the Metabolic Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Melbourne, where his research investigates the brain circuits that control body weight, appetite and blood sugar, including the same circuitry targeted by drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Through Gallant Bio and OberX Bio, he is translating these discoveries into the next generation of metabolic medicines.unities for new connections across research, industry and the wider community.
About the seminar
Today’s weight-loss drugs reach only a fraction of the brain’s metabolic control system. Professor Dodd’s laboratory has identified potentially more powerful circuits that no current therapy targets, along with new ways to reach them.
In this Dean’s Seminar, he will explore how drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro work, why they can transform health for some people but have limited effects for others, what current science tells us about obesity, and where metabolic medicine is heading next.
The public program runs from 2.00 pm to 7.00 pm, with two main arrival times:
• Arrive at 2.00 pm to join a guided tour of selected campus facilities, followed by the Dean’s Seminar and networking reception.
• Arrive at 4.00 pm to attend the Dean’s Seminar and networking reception.
Guests are welcome to attend the full program or join the parts that suit their interests and availability.
Those attending a facilities tour will also have time to grab a coffee or take a short break in the Agora before the Dean’s Seminar begins.
Agenda
- 2:00 pm
Tour registration & briefing
Check in at EagleWorks, receive a short event briefing before departing for your selected facilities tour.
- 2:15 pm - 3:45 pm
Facilities Tours
Explore SABE’s research, innovation and specialist facilities through a guided pre-seminar tour. Guests will select a preferred tour during registration. Tour allocations are subject to capacity and will be confirmed before the event. Option 1: AgriBio / Phenomics Time: 2.15 pm to 3.45 pm Visit AgriBio to explore its phenomics capabilities, including the moving phenomics platform and research relating to plants for space, crop performance and drought tolerance. Travel to AgriBio and the return journey to WLT are included in the tour time. Option 2: EagleWorks and an additional SABE facility Time: 2.15 pm to 3.45 pm Begin with a short guided walkthrough of EagleWorks before visiting one additional SABE research or teaching facility. The additional facility will be confirmed based on availability and may include: • LIMS1 Microscopy Suite • Reid Building Microbiology Laboratories + Reid Building Cardiovascular Laboratories + Teaching Facilities • Environmental Research + Teaching Facilities The tour includes movement between locations and will finish at WLT in time for the Dean’s Seminar at 4.00 pm.
- 3:45 pm - 4:00 pm
Transition to the Dean’s Seminar
Tour groups and other attendees make their way to the West Lecture Theatre for the Dean’s Seminar.
- 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Dean’s Seminar with Professor Garron Dodd
Hosted by Professor Robyn Murphy, the Dean’s Seminar will feature keynote speaker Professor Garron Dodd. Attend in person at the West Lecture Theatre or join online.
- 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Industry and Alumni Networking Reception
Connect with La Trobe leaders, researchers, alumni and industry partners over light refreshments. Location: West Lecture Theatre foyer.
FAQs
- Is car parking available?
Yes. Park in Car Park 1. Parking spaces on the Melbourne Campus require paid parking Mon to Fri, 8am-5pm. All other times are free. For Parking Map and payment details, visit: latrobe.edu.au/transport-central/car-parking/melbourne-parking
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