Cancer buster Maher Gandhi to head Queensland’s Translational Research Institute

Cancer researcher Maher Gandhi has been appointed the boss of the Brisbane-based Translational Research Institute after a distinguished career helping to save lives.

Maher Gandhi is a world leading cancer expert.

Top Queensland cancer researcher Maher Gandhi has been appointed the next chief executive of the Brisbane-based Translational Research Institute (TRI).

TRI, which is a collaboration between Queensland Health, University of Queensland, QUT and Mater Research, provides world-class medical research facilities, links to clinicians and clinical trial facilities. Professor Gandhi. who will take up his new role in February, is already based at TRI as executive director of the institute’s partner Mater Research.

TRI chair Emeritus Professor David Siddle says Gandhi’s appointment would build on the outstanding work of previous chief executive Scott Bell, who did not seek an extension of his five-year tenure earlier this year.

Gandhi in 2021 performed a world-first therapy at the Princess Alexandra Hospital on a 46-year-old patient to successfully cure a rare type of lymphoma.

Professor Maher Gandhi

“We believe Professor Gandhi’s intimate knowledge of TRI and his distinguished research and clinical career make him the ideal candidate to propel the institute on its mission to advance research translation, clinical collaboration and translational manufacturing,” Siddle says.

The term translation in this context refers to basic scientific findings in a laboratory setting that can be developed into potential treatments for disease.

Gandhi says the prospect of leading TRI into the new era is the career opportunity of a lifetime. “Professor Bell has built the ideal foundation for TRI to excel in biomedical manufacturing and there has never been a more exciting time to lead the institute,” he says.

In 2026, TRI will open Australia’s first scale-up biomedical manufacturing facility for early-phase startup biotech companies to build, test and develop drugs and medical devices.

Indigenous event

Australia’s largest event for Indigenous businesses Connect 2024 was held in Brisbane this week showcasing more than 200 firms. The event, co-ordinated by Supply Nation, has been running for 14 years and brings together First Nations thought leaders and business representatives from all over Australia and overseas. The national event connects verified Indigenous businesses with corporate, government, and other organisations looking to procure products and services, as well as develop commercial collaboration opportunities.

Kate Russell, Supply Nation chief executive officer

The event at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre attracted about 210 businesses, which presented their products and services to over 4000 participants over two days. Supply Nation chief executive Kate Russell says this year’s event had been the largest undertaking to date with Brisbane being chosen as the location for the first time given the economic growth opportunities and the planning for the upcoming Olympics in 2023. “We are incredibly pleased and humbled by the support we have received from our wonderful businesses and our members,” says Russell. Since 2009, Supply Nation has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and procurement teams from government and corporate

Australia to help the rapidly evolving Indigenous business sector.

Green power

Queensland green energy provider Sunshine Hydro has appointed former New Zealand Climate Change Minister James Shaw as a strategic advisor. Shaw, who led the climate change ministry in Kiwi land for six years, will focus on enhancing the company’s efforts to scale Sunshine Hydro to full commercial operation.

“I am delighted to support Sunshine Hydro in its mission of decarbonising the energy system,” says Shaw. Sunshine Hydro will close the latest A-round capital raise later this year, having $20m committed of the $40m it is seeking to grow the business.

The company’s flagship djandori gung-i (”spirit in the water”) superhybrid pumped hydro project is being built near Miriam Vale.