Chief Investigators Group

Dr Michael Graham

Dr Graham’s research interests are in the field of molecular genetics, with a particular focus on the applications of RNAi in biotechnology. He commenced the development of Benitec’s ddRNAi technology while working in plant biotechnology at CSIRO and continued this work at QDPI and Benitec, focusing on medical applications; the core Benitec patent portfolio was developed at this time. Following Benitec’s restructure Dr Graham moved to the University of Queensland where he continues to work on developing applications of RNAi in plant biotechnology in an industry collaborative program. During this time he has continued his association with Benitec as a consultant.

Dr Ken Reed BSc MSc PhD FATSE

Dr Reed was the scientific founder of Benitec, whose gene silencing technology came from research conducted at the Queensland Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (QABC) and CSIRO. Dr Reed was the founding director of QABC and previously a co-founder of Advanced Breeding Technology Pty Ltd, the first company to commercialise the use of PCR. He was Deputy Chair of the inaugural Australian Biotechnology Advisory Council and served for many years on the Australian Government's Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee and the Board of the Australian Genome Research Facility. Dr Reed is a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Dr Reed stepped down from the Board of Benitec in April 2009.

Dr John J Rossi PhD

Dr. Rossi is the Lidow family Professor and Chair of the Division of Molecular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, and Dean, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, Califormia. Dr. Rossi received his doctoral training in genetics at the University of Connecticut in Storrs and postdoctoral training in molecular genetics at Brown University. His research has focused on RNA biology and clinical applications of small RNAs. His group was the first to demonstrate that hammerhead ribozymes could be used for inhibition of HIV replication. This research program led to two clinical trials in which ribozyme genes have been transduced into hematopoietic stem cells for autologous transplant in HIV infected individuals. He is the recipient of an NIH Merit award for his work on ribozymes and HIV. Work in the laboratory continues to focus upon mechanisms of small RNA mediated inhibition of gene expression and RNA based therapeutics, with recent emphasis on function and applications of RNA interference and expressed short hairpin RNAs for therapeutic treatment of HIV and cancers. He has published over 200 peer reviewed articles and numerous reviews and commentaries on RNAi based therapeutics.

Dr York Zhu PhD

Dr. York Zhu, the founder of both Biomics and NT Omics Inc., has 20 years R&D and business experience. He started his industrial R&D career at Clontech Labs (1993) as an R&D Manager following several years as an academic in Memorial Foundation in Nagoya, Japan (1987-1989). During the 6 years working in Clontech, he was granted the Achievement Award for his R&D and management which played a significant role in the USD$200 million acquisition by BD. In 2000, Dr. Zhu worked as Chief Technology Officer in Genemed R&D headquarters for 4 years, where he was an inventor in several patents and led the R&D team to develop a gene drug discovery technology platform. Then as Vice President and Chief Scientist of Zytogene (a spin-off of Genemed) he managed R&D operations to successfully develop over 200 new products for Zymed, which brought the company to a high market value and was acquired by Invitrogen. In 2005, Dr, Zhu founded NT Omics, and invented Entire siRNA targets (EsT) library technology which filled the gap in thisfield. In 2006 Dr. Zhu established Biomics in Nantong, China, where he now serves as CEO and Chairman. The Company a leading player in RNAi in China.

Dr. Zhu undertook his Ph.D at the Medical School of Nagoya University (Japan,1989-1993), and his MS in Nantong University (1982-1985). During his career, Dr. Zhu has published more than 30 papers, held 3 patents andhas 6 more patents in the process of application.

Professor Maria Kavallaris BAppSci UTS, PhD UNSW

Professor Maria Kavallaris is Head of the Pharmacoproteomics Program at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia, and holds a conjoint academic appointment in the Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales. Her research contributions are internationally regarded and include identifying the mechanisms of action and resistance to anticancer drugs that target cell division; discovering new cytoskeleton interactions in cancer; and the development of less toxic cancer therapies using nanotechnology. Her program's research contributions include the identification of novel mechanisms of resistance to anticancer agents that target key proteins involved in cell division in childhood cancer.

Professor Kavallaris is an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow and her research contributions have been recognised by international and national awards and prizes including an International Agency for Research on Cancer Fellowship, an American Association for Cancer Research Women in Cancer Research Award, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Career Development Award, a Young Tall Poppy Award, and an Australian Museum Eureka Prize. She is regularly invited to speak and chair at international meetings. Professor has authored over 70 publications and her expertise is reflected in invitations to edit a book, contribute book chapters and review articles, including, Nature Reviews Cancer. She has served on numerous committees including the Program Committee for the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research and on grant review panels. Professor Kavallaris serves on the Board of the Australian Institute for Policy and Science and has played a major role in advocating for medical research through public outreach and served as President of the Australian Society for Medical Research.