Bio Highlights:
Tracy has managed the build of complex artificial intelligence characters for clients ranging from NASA to National Australia Bank. Her role ranges from initial scoping to design and architecture and she came from a background in Psychology and in less than 2 years has gained a level of IT knowledge that has enabled her to move into a managerial role as knowledge engineer.

Judges Comments:
Tracy demonstrates a high level of passion and energy for IT and is an inspirational ambassador for women in the industry or those aspiring to move into the industry.

Judges Comments:
Each of the finalists for this award is highly credible, talented researchers with track records in their fields (and all are also parents). They bring great credit to Queensland and to Women in Technology. Special Commendation to Dr Tracey Mynott: The judging panel would like to recognise Dr Tracey Mynott with an honourable mention.

Dr Neena Mitter provides a superb role model for women and men aspiring to leadership roles in biotechnology. She straddles the often difficult divide between research and commercial outcomes and between academia and industry with passion, energy and a pragmatic approach. She is an articulate and inspiring choice for the UQ Biotech Research Award recipient.

Bio Highlights:
Charm Health (previously ITAlchemy Australia) was founded by Janine Garrett at the start of the new millennium. Having nearly 20 years experience within the Australian health sector (in clinical oncology pharmacy and pharmacy management) and a Masters degree in Information Technology, meant that she was able do what many others had been unable to achieve - create a complete solution that deals to the real problems faced by those delivering care to patients in Australia.

Judges Comments:
"Janine has a motto of "making a difference" she is a self funded entrepreneur who is prepared to do "whatever it takes" to succeed. She saw a need and knew she could solve it. Janine wrote and developed the CHARM software application. This software application is now the leading health technology system in use in Australia for cancer care. Over 20,000 patient treatment pathways have been managed using this software.

Janine is a mother of two and has a Masters of IT.

Judges Comments:
Dr Judy Halliday exemplifies the successful transition from laboratory bench to the world of commerce, meeting every challenge along the way with a can-do attitude and an ability to look beyond problems to develop solutions. In her current role as Commercialisation Manager Life Sciences at UniQuest, Judy meets a diverse range of challenges including identifying new University technology commercialisation opportunities, managing two of the recent UniQuest partnerships with Mater Medical Research Institute and James Cook University and acting as company director for two UniQuest start-up companies. Despite this large workload, Judy still finds time to contribute to the broader technology community through activities such as active participation in industry bodies and mentoring. With experience that has taken her from roles in research at The University of Queensland through various management positions at publicly listed biotechnology company Alchelmia, Judy is a great ambassador for women seeking to build an executive career in the technology industries.

QCTN | Biotech Rising Star Award

WINNER: Jane Fitzpatrick

Organisation: Cleveland Biosensors

Women with less than 2 years industry experience

Travel to BioJapan with QCTN inluding airfares, 4 nights accommodation,  meals, attend seminars, meeting and hospitality events.  WiT 12 month Membership

Bio Highlights:
Dr Jane Fitzpatrick has managed our laboratory since joining Cleveland Biosensors in 2005. Her previous positions have included quality control of a nutritional supplements laboratory company. She is experienced in both the production and use of antibodies and their application to various formats including ELISA, rapid ELISA formats and biosensors.

Dr Fitzpatrick's formal training consists of a BSc (Hons) 1st Class and a PhD in Biotechnology from Dublin City University, Ireland, specializing in the development of antibody-based assay systems for illegal steroids.

Judges Comments:
Jane has a clear career path in Biotech. She recognizes strengths and deficiencies and understands early biotech companies. She stands as a good role model and is an enthusiastic ambassador for women aspiring to achieve goals. Hope that this award will give Jane the confidence to keep succeeding.

Organisation: University of Queensland

Women making a significant contribution to the growth and development of Queensland's Biotechnology industry who serve as role models for others to aspire to.

$1,000 Cash prize, WiT 3 year membership. Perpetual trophy. Title of WiT Biotech Ambassador

Bio Highlights:
Professor Maree Smith has a broad range of expertise in preclinical and clinical drug development, including animal models of human disease, assay development and validation and in vivo pharmacokinetics in both animals and humans. Professor Smith is one of Australia's leading researchers in the pain field and has particular expertise in testing molecules of effectiveness as pain drugs. Professor Smith has considerable experience in commercialization of intellectual property which makes her well placed to understand the needs of early stage biopharmaceutical companies. Professor Smith leads an internationally-recognized team of 20 research staff and students. Since 1998, Prof Smith has published more than 65 peer-reviewed papers and she is a member of the editorial review board for Pain: Clinical Updates.

Judges Comments:
During her career she has managed the intricacies of discovery, commercialization through service delivery, development of toolkits and company creation around intellectual property. Every facet of this work has had significant impact on the industry. Her intellectual property has resulted in the creation of 2 start-up companies out of the University of Queensland one of which represents the largest capital raise via IPO for a biotech in Australia to date. Her second company, TetraQ is the first fully integrated preclinical development facility in Australia providing a necessary and valuable service to many Biotech companies.

Maree Smith epitomizes "commitment to achievement in biotech" with significant accomplishments across the entire spectrum of biotech bench to bedside.

Maree has not made the mistake made by so many founders, of remaining attached to her IP and wanting to control the business. This is an extremely rare quality.

Maree represents what we all believe to be a "success in biotech" and remains a humble quiet outstanding achiever!

Bio Highlights:
Melinda's honours and PhD studies have been focused on the major complication of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), known as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD is a debilitating, potentially fatal side effect of HSCT and affects around half, but up to 85% of patients undergoing this treatment.

Judges Comments:
Clear knowledge of project & expresses understanding/ benefits to community clearly; work related extra activities; fundraising aspirations; career in medical research & promotion of science to wider community especially focussing on working with encouraging students; wishes to be an ambassador for WiT; and showcase research to community & promotion of personal research.

Organisation: University of Queensland

All post-secondary students including vocational education and university undergraduates.

$1,000 Cash prize, WiT 12 month student membership.  Contact us for more information.

Bio Highlights:
Sarah is committed to studying in the ICT sector. She is currently studying for Bachelor of Information Technology (Computer Systems & Networks, Software Information Systems) at UQ. She received a Bachelor of Information Technology (Computer Science) from the University of Southern QLD as well as a degree in Advanced Microsoft Access Database, a Certificate III in Telecommunications and Certificate in Management skills. Sarah is currently works for Telstra in sales support and customer service.

Judges Comments:
Sarah demonstrates a commitment to education and to working to gain a high level of knowledge in the sector. She is obviously driven by ICT and has committed herself to studying and learning more about the field to apply in her working life.