People

Leadership

As we conclude the establishment phase, the interim co-directors designated by partner organizations to guide the platform plan's development have been substituted with our permanent directors. These directors will oversee the creation of a research program aligned with the MBIE-approved platform plan, focusing on establishing a national RNA technology platform. Their extensive and complementary expertise in research, commercialization, and stakeholder engagement positions them as credible leaders for the platform. Pillar leads for each platform pillar joined recently to support them.

Directors

Professor Gary EvansProf Gary Evans
Co-Director
Professor Kjesten WiigProf Kjesten Wiig
Co-Director

Pillar leads

Sarah DiermeierDr Sarah Diermeier
Target selection
Dr. William KeltonDr William Kelton
Payload design
Dr. Gavin PainterProf Gavin Painter
Formulation
Dr. Lisa ConnorDr Lisa Connor
Preclinical testing
Dr. Rebecca McKenzieDr Rebecca McKenzie
Quality control
Dr. William RollestonDr William Rolleston
Process development
and manufacture
Dr. Nikki MorelandAProf Nikki Moreland
Clinical testing

Operations and advisory

Professor John FraserProf John Fraser

Strategic Science Advisor

Dr. Steve TomsDr Steve Toms

Advisor, QC and Development

Neb SvrzikapaNeb Svrzikapa

Chief Operating Officer (COO)