UQ-Latin American Colloquium

8:30am-12:45pm, Tuesday 3 September 2024

Viewpoint, UQ St Lucia campus

The 17th annual Latin American Colloquium will address the 2024 theme 'Biotechnology for health, environment, and food security: opportunities and challenges for Australia and Latin America'.

The in-person colloquium will feature a number of engaging speakers, offering a range of perspectives on the current capabilities in Australia and Latin America, and delve into the ethical consideration of using this technology. The colloquium serves as a valuable platform for showcasing advancements, celebrating collaborations, and exploring new research avenues.

Using Biotechnology to Address Global Challenges

This year's panel session will delve into current capabilities in Australia and Latin America, along with the ethical considerations of using this technology.

Discussions will highlight successful applications of biotechnology in each region and how they connect with UQ's educational and research strengths.

Keynote speaker

 

Professor Glenn King
Recipient, 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation, Chief Scientific Officer, Infensa Bioscience, NHMRC Investigator, Division of Chemistry & Drug Discovery, Institute for Molecular Bioscience.

Professor Glenn King 

Glenn did his PhD at the University of Sydney before postdoctoral studies at the University of Oxford. After academic stints at the University of Sydney and the University of Connecticut Health Center (USA), he joined the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland in 2007.

Glenn is a leader in the field of venoms-based drug and insecticide discovery. His early work on venoms led him to found Vestaron Corporation, an agricultural biotechnology company that developed the world’s first eco-friendly peptide-based insecticides. Glenn’s current research focuses on the development of peptide drugs to treat  cardiovascular and nervous system disorders. He recently co-founded Infensa Bioscience, a biotech company that is developing drugs for treatment of stroke and myocardial infarction, and he currently serves as the company’s Chief Scientific Officer. Glenn’s laboratory maintains one of the largest venom collections in the world, sourced from more than 500 species of invertebrates including ants, assassin bugs, caterpillars, centipedes, scorpions, and spiders. 

Panel

Using Biotechnology to Address Global Challenges

Ambassador of Cuba in Australia.
Director of Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator.
Deputy Director - Impact, CSIRO Agriculture & Food; Professor of Food And Agricultural Proteomics, ECU.
School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, UQ.
Industry Professor and Director, Biotechnology Innovation, UQ
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, UQ.

Program

This year's colloquium will be exclusively held in-person at UQ's St Lucia campus. A livestream will not be available.

Time (AEST)Activity
8:30-9amDoors and registrations open
9-9:15am

Master of Ceremonies
Dr Giuliana Oyola-Lozada, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, UQ

Welcome address
Professor Deborah Terry AC, President and Vice-Chancellor, UQ
Her Excellency Mrs Dianela Pi, Ambassador of Uruguay

9:15-10:15am

Keynote speaker followed by Q&A
Professor Glenn King, Recipient, 2023 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation, Chief Scientific Officer, Infensa Bioscience, NHMRC Investigator, Leadership Level 3, Division of Chemistry & Drug Discovery, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ

10:15-11amNetworking morning tea
11am-12:30pm

Panel: Using Biotechnology to Address Global Challenges

Moderator: Professor Damian Hine, Professorial Research Fellow, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation

  • Her Excellency Tanieris Diéguez La O, Ambassador of Cuba
  • Dr Chris Downs, Director, Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, UQ
  • Professor Michelle Colgrave, Deputy Director - Impact, CSIRO Agriculture & Food
  • Associate Professor Marina Fortes, Group Leader, Livestock Genomics Group, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, UQ
  • Professor Trent Munro, Industry Professor and Director, Biotechnology Innovation, UQ
12:30-12:45pmClosing remarks
His Excellency Mr Vitaliano Gallardo Valencia, Ambassador of Peru
Dr Andrew Harvey, Head, Strategic Partnerships, UniQuest

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Contact

For more information about the event or UQ's engagement in Latin America, contact

Daphne Kwong, Senior Engagement Officer, Global Partnerships, UQ.

+61 7 3346 0618