Prof WEI ZHANG, a Biochemical Engineer since 1989, is a globally recognized leader with research and teaching expertise in industry and marine biotechnology. He is a pioneer and the R&D leader in driving the establishment of Australian third-generation marine bioproducts industry.

He obtained his PhD from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS in 1994, and did his Postdocs at University of Tokyo, Adelaide University and Cambridge University. He joined Flinders University in 1998. Since 2000, he has secured many national and international grants over A$50 million, culminated at $270m Marine Bioproduct Cooperative Research Centre (MBCRC) grant as Bid Lead. He founded Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development and became its inaugural Director in 2009. He has published 280+ refereed Journal papers, eight Journal special issues, two edited books. He is an editorial member of four Journals- Marine Biotechnology, Journal of Applied Phycology, Marine Life Science and Technology, Biofuels; and Specialty-Chief Editor for Frontiers in Marine Science (Marine Biotechnology and Bioproducts). He is Editor of Springer-Nature Book Series “Advances in Marine Bioprocesses and Bioproducts”. He has organised and chaired 30+ international conferences and sessions. He won several important awards including “South Australia Young Tall Poppy Science Award” in 2008, and “Finalist of Australian Eureka Prizes for Leadership in Science and Innovation” in 2022. He is the Inaugural President of Australia-New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society, and Chair of Marine Biotechnology Subcommittee, Australia National Marine Science Committee. He serves as Board member for Asia-Pacific Marine Biotechnology Society, and BioMarine. He has driven many national and international partnerships across governments, universities, industries, professional societies and communities. He has highly accomplished entrepreneurial skills to drive translational research toward industry outcomes and impacts. He is currently Research Director of MBCRC, an Australian national research for industry flagship to drive innovation for growing Australian third-generation high-value marine bioproducts industry.

Former Head, Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Australia; 

Theme Lead, Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development, Flinders University, Australia. 

Professor Franco was the face of Biotechnology at Flinders for not only having set up the dynamic Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs in Biotechnology, but also promoting the Courses internationally. His inspirational efforts made him Dean (International) of the erstwhile School of Medicine as well as Faculty of Health Sciences, where he forged collaborations across the globe and lead teams of academic staff on international missions. 

At Flinders University, he built and lead a productive disciplinary team, the Department of Medical Biotechnology, that was very research active and trained a large number of Masters and PhD candidates. He also contributed to teaching in the courses. 

Prof Franco assisted Prof Zhang in developing the Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development and making it what it is today. He contributed expertise in marine biotechnology and microbiology, sponge symbionts, saponins from sea cucumbers, and development of seaweed as a prebiotic food. 

He has organised national conferences in biotechnology and microbiology and is excited to be Co-chair and Treasurer on the Executive Organising Committee for the Joint 13th APMBC and 5th ANZMBS meeting. 

Director Science Without Bounds Pty Ltd

Professor Lewis is the Chair of the AMPBC Executive Committee (SAEC) and Co-Chair of the International Advisory Committee (IAC).

Rob has 50+ years’ experience with global public and private sector policy, translation, leadership, management and governance, including IP management and effective commercialisation of research outcomes to industry. Key appointments have been CEO/ED of the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) (1992-2010), Director of Fisheries South Australia (1987-1992) and research and research management positions in marine resource sustainability, fisheries and aquatic sciences (1972-1987). Currently he is Director of the research services company Science Without Bounds Pty Ltd and family investment company KJT Lewis Pty Ltd.

Other key contributions have included Chair/Directorship of the Australian Genome Research Facility Pty Ltd (AGRF), Flinders Centre for Marie Bioproduct Development (FCMBD), Australian Maritime College (AMC) Council, SA chapter Australian Academy of Technological Sciences (ATSE), Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) Pty Ltd, Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and CRCs for Aquaculture, Viticulture, Molecular Plant Breeding, Environmental Biotechnologies and Australian Grain, Airborne Research Australia (ARA), Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and NCRIS Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS).

Dr Michael Steer is the Research Director of the Aquatic & Livestock Sciences Division of the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research arm of South Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA).  He provides high-level leadership of a multi-disciplinary team to promote a focus on the development of strategic aquatic and livestock sciences initiatives and collaborations, as well as the identification of new research, development, and commercialisation opportunities.  

Dr Steer has over 20 years of experience in marine science and fisheries research that delivers innovative solutions to complex problems in challenging and high-pressure environments.  His publication record is diverse, covering topics in fish biology, fisheries science, molecular science, invertebrate ecology, statistical modelling, oceanography, gear selectivity, and fishing fleet dynamics.  

With a diverse scientific background and desire to deliver impactful and transitional science to drive sustainable industries, Dr Steer will assist in shaping the conference’s exciting scientific program. 

Niki Sperou is a member of the Executive Organising Committee for the Joint 13th APMBC and 5th ANZMBS meeting.

As the Artist in Residence at the Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development (CMBD), Flinders University, since it was established in 2009, she builds bridges between science, art/culture, and the community.

She has supported CMBD staff and students to improve their critical thinking and communication skills and has worked as the team Communications Officer.

In 2022, she represented the staff at the South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards in which CMBD was awarded the Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration Award.

Jian Qin obtained a Bachelor at Dalian Fisheries College, China in 1982, Masters at the University of Oklahoma, USA in 1988, and PhD at Ohio State University, USA in 1994. After a 3-year postdoc at the University of Hawaii, he joined Flinders University, Australia in 1997. Currently, he is a professor and aquaculture coordinator. He is the pioneer of the aquaculture program at Flinders and has led the aquaculture research at Flinders to the world class in the discipline of Fishery Science. He has published 3 books, 19 book chapters, 400+ SCI journal papers. Papers have been cited over 10,100 times with h-index of 53. Research disciplines include ecology, nutrition, physiology, behavior, biotechnology, and toxicology. Research organisms include bacteria, algae, zooplankton, fish, molluscs and crustaceans. Prof Qin is an Executive Editor of Aquaculture, Academic Editor of Aquaculture Nutrition, Associate Editor of Aquaculture and Fisheries, and Editorial Board Member of Aquaculture Research. He has trained over 50 PhD, 10 MSc and 20 Honours students, and mentored 10 early career researchers.  

Jian serves the Executive Committee of APMBC 2023 and is responsible for the organization of the conference scientific program and to liaise the publication the three special issues in Marine Biotechnology, Marine Drugs, and Frontiers of Marine Science (Marine Biotechnology and Bioproducts). 

BSc Hons, University of Adelaide

Previously: 2022 – 2012, Science Initiatives & Support Manager and 2014 – 1987, Aquaculture Program Leader, both SARDI Aquatic Sciences; 2022-2019, member of the project team that developed the recently initiated Marine Biotechnology Cooperative Research Centre (CRC); 2020 – 2018, Executive Officer, Future Oysters, CRC-Project; 2019 – 2015, Executive Officer, Growing a Profitable, Innovative & Collaborative Australian Yellowtail Kingfish Aquaculture Industry: Bringing White Fish to Market, Rural R&D for Profit Program; 2008 – 2001, Leader, Production & Value Adding Programs, Aquafin CRC; and 2008 – 1997, Leader, Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC), Southern Bluefin Tuna  Subprogram.

Steven Clarke has over 30 years experience in aquatic sciences research management, research and development, and industry and government liaison, especially in aquaculture.  Over the time of his involvement in aquaculture in South Australia it grew from a fledgling industry valued at about $0.2 million to about $240 million per annum farmgate value.  He took an active part in supporting the development of South Australia’s aquaculture sectors: including, abalone, algae, barramundi, freshwater crustaceans, oysters, yellowtail kingfish and southern bluefin tuna, through research in biotechnology, ecology, genetics, nutrition, physiology, reproduction and system design.

Professor Vincent Bulone is a Matthew Flinders Professor and Director of the Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development. Vincent’s research is
focused in various areas of Glycoscience, comprising fundamental research on algae, plants, and microorganisms, as well as biotechnological developments towards carbohydrate-based products relevant to the following areas: Marine Biotechnology, Biorefinery, Agriculture and Waste Management, Food Sustainability, Bioenergy, Biomaterials, and Disease Control. Vincent is assisting the Organizing Committee with the preparation of the Scientific Program of the Conference.

Dr Sasi Nayar leads SARDI’s Aquaculture program and manages the Algal Production Group at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). He has for over a decade led an applied, industry focused, research program developing micro- and macro-algal production systems for high value applications of the sustainably cultivated biomass. Using a multidisciplinary and collaborative state-of-the-art approach, the team acquire new knowledge, that inspires and informs new solutions to important scientific and societal challenges such as bioremediation of wastewater and biosludge, bioassimilation of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, valorisation of food wastes, circular economy and application of algal biomass for novel bio-products and high value marine natural products. Sasi and his team work closely with government and industry clients to meet their needs. He provides scientific and technical advice to government and industry for sustainable development of the algal biomass industry. He has built a strong collaborative consortium of industry groups across the value chain to develop a sustainable seaweed industry in South Australia supported by funding from the South Australian government.