Launch of RMIT ATRACT, Accelerator for Translational Research and Clinical Trials

Discover the ATRACT Centre:  a catalyst for collaborations in translational and clinical health research with industry, connecting RMIT's Bundoora and CBD Campus researchers across disciplines in biomedicine, health, engineering, science and computing. 

A free event

Join us for the exciting launch of RMIT University's Accelerator for Translational Research and Clinical Trials (ATRACT) Centre, where you'll learn about the vision for a thriving hub for industry/academic collaborations, with its core at the Bundoora Campus Health Precinct, attracting researchers across disciplines and campuses to solve complex problems in health.

At this launch, you will hear ground-breaking research from ATRACT researchers from the School of Health & Biomedical Sciences (SHBS), the School of Science (SoS), the School of Engineering (SoE) and the School of Computing Technologies (SCT), RMIT senior leaders as well as exceptional industry guests linked to the Centre. Research presentations will be across ATRACT's two Themes, and six sub-themes:

Theme 1: Immunology and infectious Diseases

Sub-themes:

·       Vaccines & Technology

·       Infectious Diseases & Anti-infectives

·       Immunity & Metabolism

Theme 2: Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Sub-themes:

·       Medical Imaging

·       Cancer Therapies

·       Diagnosis & Biomarkers

RMIT Speakers

Acknowledgement of Country by Prof Paul Callaghan, SHBS, RMIT University and Indigenous Knowledge Fellow, Indigenous Knowledge Institute, University of Melbourne

• Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, DVC, STEM College and Vice-President

• Dist. Prof Magdalena Plebanski, ATRACT Director and Director, Biomedical & Health Innovation Enabling Impact Platform

• Prof Melissa Churchill, ATRACT Director in Research and Head, Neuro-infections Laboratory, SHBS

• Prof Ricky O’Brien, ATRACT Director in Engagement and Deputy Dean, Research & Innovation, SHBS

• Distinguished Prof Vasso Apostolopoulos, Immunology, SHBS

• Distinguished Prof Suresh Bhargava, Dean, Research & Innovation, Research Partnerships, India, STEM College

• Distinguished Prof Arnan Mitchell, Director, ARC Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS), SoE

• Prof Mark Sanderson, Dean, Research & Innovation, STEM College

• Prof Ross Vlahos, Dean, SHSB

• Prof Charlotte Conn, Associate Dean, Partnerships and Engagement, SoS

• Prof Rob Kapsa, Biomedical Engineering, SoE

• Prof Dinesh Kumar, SoE Hub Director, MedTech Innovation HubHub Director, MedTech Innovation Hub

• Prof Evangelos Pappas, Director, MedTech Innovation Hub, SHBS

• Prof Terry Piva, Biomedical Sciences, SHBS

• Prof Sylvia Urban, Chemistry, SoS

• A/Prof Ehsan Asadi, Robotics, Mechanical, Manufacturing & Mechatronics, SoE

• A/Prof Natalie Borg, Biomedical Sciences, SHBS

• A/Prof Moshi Geso, Medical Radiations, SHBS

• A/Prof Jessica Holien, Deputy Head Biology Department, SHBS

• A/Prof Tien Huynh, Biotechnology, SoS

• A/Prof Anita Quigley, Biomedical Engineering, SoE

• A/Prof Sonika Tyagi, Digital Health and AI, SCT

• Dr Thomas Angelovich, Deputy Head, Neuroinfections Laboratory, SHBS

• Dr Jennifer Boer, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, SHBS

• Dr Alicia Corlett, Lecturer, Nuclear Medicine, SHBS

• Dr Cesar Sanchez Huertas, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, SoE

• Dr Alice Johnstone, Senior Lecturer, SoS

• Dr April Kartikasari, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, SHBS

• Dr Ruchika Ojha, Vice Chancellor's Research Fellow, SoS

• Dr Clare Smith, Senior Lecturer, Medical Radiations, SHBS

• Dr Crispin Szydzik, Research Fellow, SoE

• Dr Srinivasa Reddy Telukutla, Research Fellow, SHBS

• Dr Nhiem Tran, Deputy Head, Department of ACES International, Engagement and Outreach, SoS

• Dr Kirsty Wilson, Vice Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow, SHBS

• Dr Wendy (Wenjuan) Xiong, Research Fellow, SHBS

Industry Speaker:

Prof Prahlad Ho, Chief Medical Officer, Northern Health

Industry Q&A

Participate in Q&A sessions with our industry panel as well as ATRACT’s stellar researchers!

Panellists:

• Adi Basic, Theranostics Lead, Tullamarine Radiopharmacy, Global Medical Solutions (GMS).

• Prof Paul Callaghan, SHBS, RMIT University and Indigenous Knowledge Fellow, Indigenous Knowledge Institute, University of Melbourne.

• Prof Katie L. Flanagan, Senior Staff Specialist in Infectious Diseases, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead Hospital and Co-Chair of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

• Dr Ivan Williams, Chief Medical Radiation Scientist & Branch Head, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)

Poster Session

A Poster session will showcasing the amazing research and projects currently being undertaken by the Centre’s Higher by Degree Research (HDRs) students and Early – Mid Career Researchers. Prizes (from $500 - $1,000) will be available across three - six categories!

Get involved in the networking sessions and start new connections, new conversations.

Networking Session

Following the conference, we invite you to join us for networking over drinks and canapés as we celebrate the launch of the ATRACT Centre. This is an excellent opportunity to continue discussions, establish new connections, and learn more about how you can engage with ATRACT.

Transport and Parking

RMIT Bundoora West campus is located on the corner of McKimmies Road and Plenty Road, Bundoora, Vic. 3083.

Transport is available for RMIT City based staff who would like to travel to and from the Bundoora West campus. You can indicate your preference when you register.

Parking is available at the Bundoora West campus. The cost for a full day of parking is $6.00. Use the easypark app when you arrive. Download the easypark app with this link.

You can find various modes of transport that will get you to the Bundoora West campus here. Parking at the Bundoora West campus details can be found here.

About ATRACT

ATRACT, an exciting new RMIT Leading Research Centre that will accelerate impact from the university’s excellence enabling the creation and deployment of analytical and technological products to prevent, monitor and treat diseases. It will expand existing relationships and support new partners, as their innovations’ progress into clinical trials.

ATRACT empowers STEM researchers to translate excellence in fundamental research in cancer, immunology and infectious diseases into global impact by further streamlining core capabilities in clinical trials, clinical imaging, biobanking, biomarkers, bioinformatics and drug discovery and validation.

www.rmit.edu.au/atract