QLD BioBriefing

QLD BioBriefing with the QUT School of Biomedical Sciences & Davies Collison Cave

Join us in Brisbane on 26 August and catch up with friends and colleagues, share ideas, build relationships and make new contacts in the vibrant QLD biotechnology community.
This event is generously hosted by the QUT School of Biomedical Sciences & Davies Collison Cave.

Please note that the site tour requires a separate registration. Click here to register.

AI and Quantum Technologies in Biotech Discovery and Translation

This BioBriefing will explore how AI, big data and quantum technologies are opening new opportunities for the life sciences sector, from biological discovery and clinical insights to future applications in health and biotechnology. Hear from local experts across research, industry and commercial AI platforms, with rapid fire presentations and an interactive Q&A session.

This panel session will explore the following key areas:

• AI & big data for biological discovery
• AI, health and sports; Data everywhere
• Commercial AI platforms: enabling real world clinical insight
• How quantum will change health

Speakers

Dr Luis Pedro Coelho
Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology

Luis Pedro Coelho is a group leader at the Centre for Microbiome Research (QUT). His research focuses on using very large scale datasets of the global microbiome to understand microbial ecology. His group is also known for developing high quality tools, most notably SemiBin and SemiBin2 which uses self supervised learning and neural networks for metagenomics binning. Recently, he led a global study which found nearly one million new antimicrobial peptides (a class of antibiotics) from the global microbiome.

Prof Divya Mehta
Professor & Principal Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology

Professor Divya Mehta is a leading researcher in genomics, mental health, and wellbeing at the Queensland University of Technology. Her work explores how our genes interact with our environment and lifestyle to shape resilience, stress responses, and long term psychological health. With more than 120 scientific publications, over $22 million in research funding, and 25 recognitions including “Superstar of STEM”, Divya’s research shows that gene activity isn’t fixed and can be influenced by the choices we make every day, from our social connections to our physical habits.

Dr Navid Toosi Saidy
CEO & Co Founder, Propel Health AI

Dr Navid Toosi Saidy is the CEO and Co Founder of Propel Health AI, Australia’s first end to end platform that makes real world patient data accessible and actionable. Propel works with Australia’s leading healthcare organisations, clinical trial organisations, and registries to enable the development of AI powered clinical and operational decision support tools, all aligned with stringent privacy and security standards. Before founding Propel, Navid built and led the healthcare AI practice at Max Kelsen, scaling it into a core pillar of the business and a significant contributor to the company’s acquisition by Bain & Co. in 2023. Propel Health AI was subsequently spun out of Max Kelsen to take that work forward as a dedicated platform. Navid holds a PhD in Medical Engineering from QUT, where he developed 3D printed, tissue engineered heart valves, and completed postdoctoral research at UQ in medical device development and translation.

Prof Warwick Bowen
Professor, The University of Queensland

Prof Bowen is Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology, applying quantum technologies into the life sciences. He leads the Quantum Optics Laboratory at the University of Queensland, which develops quantum and precision sensors for both fundamental science and applications ranging from biological imaging to single molecule sensing, navigation, geological surveying and aerospace. He is also a founder of the start ups Elemental Instruments and NostiQ.