Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie discussed the future of biotechnology in his first lecture as an Adjunct Professor at The University of Queensland on Friday September 3.
He was appointed an Adjunct Professor in Bioscience and Nanotechnology with UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) in July.
Adjunct Professor Beattie presented his lecture on “Our biotech future: not a destination but a continuing journey” at the Queensland Bioscience Precinct, home to the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, at 11am.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said he looked forward to welcoming Adjunct Professor Beattie, a UQ graduate, back to UQ.
“The Smart State strategies he initiated as Premier continue to build Queensland’s international reputation in biotechnology research and development,” Professor Greenfield said.
“The ongoing vision helps us retain and attract leading staff, students, collaborators, philanthropists and investors to research.
“After stepping down as Premier in 2007 he maintained his global advocacy for Queensland discovery, encouraging researchers in fields including health, climate change, food security and sustainable fuel.”
From 2008 Adjunct Professor Beattie served as Queensland Trade Commissioner to the Americas, promoting the state and developing trade relationships with countries in North and South America.
After retiring from that position in July, he has taken up a part-time position at Clemson University in South Carolina in addition to the Adjunct Professorship at UQ.
The IMB was the first institute funded under the Smart State Strategy, and now employs 400 researchers studying the function of genes and molecules in order to develop new medicines, a better understanding of the human body and industrial products such as cleaner fuels and insecticides.
The AIBN was opened by Adjunct Professor Beattie in 2006 and is now home to 19 research groups working at the interface of biological, chemical and physical science to alleviate current problems in human health and environmental issues.
Contact: IMB Communications – 07 3346 2134 or 0418 575 247
