This event offered an engaging public forum about the impact of blindness and the latest research on treating blindness through stem cell therapies being developed by the Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine.
Speaker order was:
Associate Professor Nigel Barnett – Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine
Nigel’s primary interest lies in retinal degenerative diseases. He obtained his DPhil in vision science from the University of Oxford in 1995 and moved to Australia in 1996 to take up a University of Queensland (UQ) Postdoctoral Fellowship. In 2003, Nigel was awarded an NHMRC RD Wright Fellowship, which he undertook at UQ. He was a Senior Research Fellow at the UQ Centre for Clinical Research and Senior Scientist at the Queensland Eye Institute (QEI) before taking up the position of Associate Professor in the Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Bond University in 2018. His research and ongoing collaborations with local, national, and international scientists focus on understanding the mechanisms behind retinal degeneration and developing innovative therapies. Nigel investigates potential neuroprotective strategies to mitigate vision loss in conditions like macular degeneration and glaucoma, including novel antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.
Associate Professor Nigel Barnett will speak about the current challenges of treating age-related macular degeneration and will introduce the speakers.
Jock Beveridge – CEO, Guide Dogs Queensland
Jock is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with vision impairments. His leadership focuses on raising funds for essential research and resources, ensuring comprehensive support for the community. Guide Dogs Queensland not only provides expertly trained guide dogs but also offers mobility services, personalised support, and counseling to foster independence and confidence in those with vision impairment. The organisation engages the community through volunteering and fundraising events, furthering their mission to improve the quality of life for their clients. Jock’s commitment is evident in his drive to deliver holistic services that make a tangible difference in the lives of those they serve.
Jock will speak about the impact that vision loss has on the lives of individuals and how Guide Dogs Queensland improves the lives of patients, their families and the community.
Dr. Jason Limnios – Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine
Jason leads the Stem Cell Research Group at the Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine and is passionate about creating cell therapies that will work for a lifetime. Over the past 20 years, Jason’s research has focused on stem cells, mammalian cloning and cell reprogramming in Australia, the USA and China. Since coming to Bond in 2013, Jason has developed core stem cell technologies for therapies to treat blinding diseases such as AMD and Retinits Pigmentosa. Jason has fostered a network of national and international partners to help make stem cell therapies a reality in Australia through collaboration and commercialisation.
Jason will present the path towards stem cell therapies in Australia for blindness and will discuss some of the latest advances in his team’s research.
This informative and inspiring event explored the potential of stem cell therapies in restoring vision and changing lives.
4:30pm – Arrival and Registration
5pm – 5:30pm – Refreshments and Networking and science art display
5:30pm – 7:00pm – Public Lecture followed by Q&A
7:00pm – 8:00pm – Tea and Coffee, opportunity for lab tours in small groups