Reception in support of The Australian Institute of Bioengineering And Nanotechnology

Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Director, Professor Allan Rowan; Professors; Research Fellows; staff; distinguished guests. Graeme and I warmly welcome you to Queensland’s historic and beautiful Government House.

I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

In welcoming you here, I acknowledge the important work you are doing in the bioeconomy, as you urgently seek the solutions needed for the way our global community generates and uses energy, engages with our environment, and deals with serious health issues.

The platform technologies you are developing across disciplines and industries talks to the very practical relevance of science to real world problems; from our reliance on fossil fuels to waste disposal, and preparation for the health challenges we will most surely continue to face.

The Institute’s purposely disruptive process of merging bioengineering and nanotechnology is as a great example of the innovative scientific practice required to build stronger, healthier and more sustainable communities.

To suggest it is valuable work is a serious understatement.

I would particularly like to commend the Institute on recently securing an impressive $1.5 million in Australian Research Council Linkage grants, which will fund ten of your scientists working across three projects; from targeted cancer therapies using precision nanomedicines, to creating a cleaner environment through the removal of chemicals linked to human disease and the enabling of green technology.

These most recent grants add to the more than a quarter-of-a-million dollars in research revenue secured by the Institute since its establishment in 2004.

The game-changing solutions that have resulted place the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, with the support of the University of Queensland, as a global leader in its field with a superb track record of working with its government and industry partners to bring commercially viable solutions to market.

Queensland is fortunate to be home to such brilliant scientific minds – present company included! – and I thank you all for your contribution to making a better tomorrow.

Graeme and I hope you enjoy the hospitality of Government House. Thank you.