Accelerator for Translational Research and Clinical Trials (ATRACT) Centre
ATRACT’s vision sees a thriving hub for industry/academic collaborations at the core of the Bundoora Campus Health Precinct. ATRACT will accelerate impact from RMIT’s excellence in innovative technologies, analytics, and health products. It will expand existing relationships and support new partners, as their innovations progress into human clinical trials.
ATRACT offers streamlined development and translation across multiple STEM domains. For example, in cancer, radiotherapy with new drugs, immunotherapy and prognostic molecular biomarker discovery; or diagnostic imaging with blood biomarkers and lab-on-a-chip devices. Such synergies enable participation in multi-disciplinary consortia.
The Centre is led by Centre Director, Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski, Research Centre Director Professor Melissa Churchill and Industry Engagement Centre Director Professor Ricky O’Brien.
Using the immune system for protection via vaccines and metabolic interventions; engaging STEM College excellence in nanotechnology and anti-infectives and metabolism. Supported by 8+ hospitals, industry partners and institutions, including current vaccine trials and engaging international translational primate research.
Expertise in cancer and immunology supported by innovation in analytics and devices to enable a transformational change in cancer diagnosis (biomarkers, bioinformatics, medical imaging) and treatments (immunotherapy, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine).
Our themes are split into three sub-themes, each one led by one of by our accomplished early/mid-career researchers.
A focus on developing innovative delivery systems using advanced nanomaterials to enhance immune responses. This interdisciplinary approach facilitates targeted drug delivery and improves treatment efficacy for complex diseases.
Theme Leader: Dr Kirsty Wilson
VC Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Vaccines and Nanotechnology)
Tackles crucial health challenges by exploring HIV's effects on the brain and heart, innovating malaria treatments, and creating groundbreaking "nano-drugs" and antibiotics to outsmart microbial resistance and improve patient care worldwide.
Theme Leader: Dr Tom Angelovich
Deputy Head, Neuroinfections Laboratory
Blending cutting-edge bioinformatics, and innovative laboratory techniques to advance health. We tackle diseases like cancer and diabetes by exploring how diet, data, and diagnostics impact immune responses and metabolism.
Theme Leader: Dr Jennifer Boer
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Bioinformatics)
Harnessing the power of cutting-edge radiopharmaceuticals, radiation dosimetry, and deep learning techniques to transform diagnostics and therapies. Innovating motion tracking, brain disorder classification, and medical physics, we’re paving the way for precision healthcare advancements.
Theme Leader: Dr Clare Smith
Senior Lecturer
Pioneering the development of innovative treatments, from bioactive molecules and metal-based drugs for resistant cancers to cutting-edge AI applications and cannabinoid therapies, transforming cancer care and patient outcomes.
Theme Leader: Dr Srinivasa Reddy Telukutla
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Drug discovery)
Innovation using nanoparticles, bioinformatics, and lab-on-a-chip devices to revolutionise early cancer detection and personalise treatments, ensuring precise and effective patient care.
Theme Leader: Dr April Kartikasari
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Epigenetics)
We are always open to new collaborations and PhD students. If you would like to know more about the Accelerator for Translational Research and Clinical Trials (ATRACT) Centre please reach out to any of the Directors or Centre members listed above.
The Accelerator for Translational Research and Clinical Trials (ATRACT) Centre is supported by RMIT's Leading Research Centre (LRC) initiative — a mechanism designed to identify, support, and grow research areas of strategic priority to the STEM College and to RMIT. If you would like to know more about our Leading Research Centre initiative please visit the LRC website, or contact us at stem.research@rmit.edu.au for more information.
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures
