A team of Children’s Medical Research Institute scientists has won an award in the CSIRO ON Program which is designed to encourage researchers to “innovate better and faster’’.

The CMRI Team, Endocytosis Therapeutics, was comprised of previous and current junior scientists. They were one of only 20 selected from across Australia to take part in the program.

The virtual event required a significant time commitment over eight weeks and provided a fantastic opportunity for the team to engage with other entrepreneurs. In all, they spoke to more than 60 different people, from all walks of life, who were all connected by their role in the development of therapeutics to improve human health. This included individuals from hospitals and clinics, pharmaceutical companies, business development and commercialisation backgrounds, registration and reimbursement agencies, investment funds, advocacy groups and research institutions.

At the completion of the program, Endocytosis Therapeutics won the Facilitator’s Prize for the best team in their hub.

Team members were:

• David Cardoso (Team Leader; Recent PhD Graduate of Cell Signalling Unit)
• Jane Sun (Research Assistant in Embryology Unit)
• Fidelle Karam (PhD Candidate in Eye Genetics Unit)
• Vickie Chan (PhD Candidate in Cell Signalling Unit)
• Madeleine Demuth (Former Research Assistant in Embryology Unit; PhD Candidate at Francis Crick Institute in London)
• Hilary Knowles (Research Assistant in Embryology Unit)