Research Week - Keynote address and panel forum

Day 2 - Keynote address & panel forum  

Tuesday 27 October 2026 | 12.30pm - 1:30pm | Lecture Theatre | Hybrid Event 

Event Theme: Research for a Resilient Future: Reimagining What's Possible 

This flagship Research Week forum explores how emerging technologies and scientific breakthroughs are shaping the future of healthcare. 

Combining an international keynote address with a moderated panel discussion, the event will showcase translational research, breakthrough discoveries and innovative technologies that are transforming patient care and supporting more resilient healthcare systems. 

Key themes include: 

• Future healthcare technologies 

• Translational medicine 

• Artificial intelligence in healthcare 

• Precision medicine 

• Commercialisation and industry translation 

• Building resilient health systems 

Keynote Speaker - Thomas Oxley Chief Executive Officer, Synchron. Prof Oxley will provide an international perspective on innovation, technology and the future of healthcare.  

Moderator - Emily Rice, Former Nine News Health Journalist. 

Innovation Panel: Five-minute presentation each followed by moderated panel discussion, with pre-agreed questions posed by Emily Rice. 

Panel

• Adj A/Prof Shiva Akbarzadeh, Monash University: Leading research into bioengineered skin technologies

• Dr Rebecca Harper, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute: Research focused on biological "barcodes" for heart cells.

• A/Prof Vivek Naranbhai, The Alfred / Monash University: Research exploring the use of artificial intelligence to create proteins for cancer treatment. 

Q&A