Building Better Futures for Health: A Product Design Challenge

Mick Brooks is the R&D Manager for Imaxeon Pty Ltd, a medical device manufacturer based in Sydney and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer Inc. He is also a member of Bayer’s Global Radiology leadership group, charged with managing the design and strategic direction of Bayers radiology product lines.

Mick has worked as a practicing engineer in a variety of fields including telecommunications, radio and optical astronomy and medical devices over a 25 year career. Engineering and design work has led to stints in Canberra, the US, Germany and Japan contributing to telescope design, printer software, anaesthetic ventilators and, more recently, powered injector systems for using in diagnostic imaging. Micks professional interests include the use of closed loop control systems, decision support software and design theory.

In spite of a burning desire for a career in professional football, Richard built on the talents he did have in physics and on his boundless curiosity about how things work, to become a successful engineer. More than 16 years on he still loves to create, to make things what they are and do what they do.

As the resident “prototype breaker” at ide Group, Richard excels in leading the team in exploring possibilities and coming up with breakthrough ideas. With Richard’s long and distinguished track record in creating and launching new products, the golden moment when it all comes together are still a real triumph and delight for him. For Richard, seeing people’s eyes light up, when together you get the “aha” moment or, when someone grabs a product and smiles, never gets old.

Anne is a health and medical research professional with over 20 years’ experience in the health, medical research and policy sectors. She has a proven track record of managing hospital research, administering and developing the State’s medical research policies and programs and executing strategies to achieve greater impact from NSW funding for health and medical research. She has a deep understanding of the sector, extensive networks and has particular strengths in engaging stakeholders and facilitating collaboration.

Anne has a Bachelor of Science (Physiology and Pharmacology) and has recently completed the Australia-New Zealand School of Government Executive Masters of Public Administration.

Anne is passionate about the role of government in building the innovation workforce of the future and developing non-traditional career opportunities for early to mid-career researchers.

Anne O'Neill is Associate Director of the NSW Office for Health and Medical Research for the Ministry of Health and Member of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (NSW) Women's Leadership Network Committee.

Dr Alan Taylor has a background as a scientist, investment banker, entrepreneur and investor. Alan is currently very active in the Australian start-up area, investing in, advising and taking an active role within a number of early stage companies. Alan is currently the Executive Chairman at Clarity Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on developing radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Alan is also the Chairman and co-founder of Mizzen Group Pty Ltd, a new technology start-up company. Alan is passionate about the commercialisation of Australian science and technologies, either in general technology or the life sciences.

Alan has approximately 10 years of investment banking experience, and was until recently an Executive Director and shareholder of Inteq Limited, a boutique Australian investment bank, where he remains on the Board of Directors. Alan has significant experience in capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate advisory. At Inteq, Alan was involved in some of the largest ever medical device transactions in Australia.

Alan completed an undergraduate degree in Applied Science at the University of Sydney, where he finished first in his year and won the prestigious University Medal. He completed his Ph.D. in Medicine at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

George is a medical practitioner who has been deeply involved in technology for the last 30 years. Originally trained as an optometrist, he started tinkering with computers in 1981 when he bought his first PC, a Sinclair ZX80, before going back to medical school to complete his training at the University of Sydney. During that time he started a software distribution company that grew to one of the largest direct software sales companies in Australia.

He was CIO of a private hospital group as well as managing an innovative software development team that produced a personal health record for Australians 10 years before the PCEHR. He joined Intel in 2005, and then Intel-GE Care Innovations as they tried to radically transform healthcare, and has some amusing stories he can share about that time. In 2014 he returned to Intel as Health & Life Sciences Lead for Australia & New Zealand.

In 2013 he was appointed an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney with the TeleHealth Research & Innovation Laboratory (THRIL), and is also currently a member of Ignition Labs a start up incubator in the health space as well as a number of advisory roles. He was appointed senior adviser to the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), the peak international body in health information technology in February 2014. In July 2014 he was admitted into the IT in Aged Care (ITAC) Hall of Fame for his service to technology in aged care. He is a regular on the healthcare social media beat regularly blogging, tweeting, and commenting on healthcare trends.

He is passionate about addressing the natural tension that existis between good healthcare and good technology.

Mark Pesce is an inventor, writer, entrepreneur, educator and broadcaster. 

In 1994 Pesce co-invented VRML, a 3D interface to the World Wide Web. Pesce has written six books, including VRML: Browsing and Building Cyberspace and The Playful World: How Technology is Transforming Our Imagination, which used toys such as Furby and Sony's PlayStation to explore our interactive future. 

As an educator, Pesce founded graduate programs in interactive media at both the University of Southern California's world-famous Cinema School and the Australian Film, Radio and Television School. Pesce currently holds an appointment as Honorary Associate in the University of Sydney's Digital Cultures Program. 

For seven years, Pesce was a panelist and judge on the ABC's hit series The New Inventors, celebrating Australia's newest inventions and inventors. A highly-regarded speaker, Pesce entertains and informs audiences on the future of technology, media, government, health care, and education, and is a regular guest on James Valentine's ABC 702 radio program. Pesce's articles about technology and culture are regularly published in WIRED, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and ABC's The Drum. 

In 2006, Pesce opened the doors of FutureSt, a Sydney consultancy dedicated to helping clients identify and benefit from the opportunities of connected business. Clients have included Lonely Planet, Amnesty International, and Pearson Publishing. 

In 2012 Pesce co-founded MooresCloud, an Internet-of-Things startup dedicated to providing beautiful, intelligent and connected lighting for the home.