Shining a light on Innovation in Australia with Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Bionics Institute CEO Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO. Katherine has a very impressive resume that includes: President and Chair of ATSE, Chair of deep-tech incubator Cicada Innovations, Chair of the HEARing CRC, Chief Executive of the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Director of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and listed company Sirtex. Katherine has also made an important contribution to the broader Australian innovation ecosystem. She has had a significant influence on government policies that enable technology-based companies to reach their potential and has long championed the translation of research into tangible outcomes, while advocating for women in STEM and in leadership roles. She was also appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2017 for her service to research and innovation. What particularly caught our attention about Katherine is the breadth of her perspective. She has seen the translation journey from many angles: as a scientist, as a venture capital leader, as a director of research institutes and medtech companies, and as a champion of the research sector. That view is incredibly valuable for anyone working to turn scientific breakthroughs into technologies that can change healthcare. Updated version 05/08/22