Masterclasses

Upcoming Masterclasses

28 February to 29 March 2023

Industry Practices in Drug Discovery

This course aims to expose students to common practices in the industry, including key aspects of industry-engaged research and research translation. It targets students working with industry partners as part of their PhD projects or those who are interested in industry R&D careers. The sessions will be facilitated by researchers and experts with experience in industry and start-ups.

The course consists of four parts covering a subset of topics such as drug discovery in academia versus industry, intellectual property, lead optimisation & predictive computational models, safety studies and animal experiments, GMP and GLP, business development and intelligence, chemical engineering–reaction optimisation, scale up & safety, flow chemistry.

The course is based on a combination of interactive workshops, pre-recorded videos, guided discussions, structured activities and professional case studies.

Contact the Centre Manager to register.


Past Masterclasses

27 September 2022
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM AEST

Career Development

Preparing a successful Fellowship application
Presented by Dr Narelle Tunstall, Empirical Research

This 2-hour Masterclass will cover how to approach and write a Fellowship application. With a focus on the Australian system (ARC/NHMRC), we will discuss what is required, what assessors are looking for, and how to confidently present your track record.

This masterclass is open to our Centre members. Contact the Centre Manager to register.

20 July 2022
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM AEST

Mastering Industry Engaged Research – Commercialisation Strategies

How to prepare a scientific paper or pitch
Presented by Dr Cathy Drinkwater, BioCurate Pty Ltd

This workshop will dive into the specifics of preparing a scientific paper of pitch in the context of a potential investment. Participants will learn about what industry and investors will be looking for when pitching a project.

20 June 2022
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM AEST

Mastering Industry Engaged Research – Intellectual Property

Commercialisation of research and technology
Presented by Dr Marcus Caulfield, FB Rice

The second session of the Intellectual Property Masterclass will diver deeper into the commercialisation of research and technology. We will look into the difference between prior art searches and freedom to operate searches. You will learn how to make an informed decision on whether or not your invention is unique and able to gain patent protection.


2 June 2022
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM AEST

Career Development

Building your professional profile
Presented by Dr Narelle Tunstall, Empirical Research

This 2-hour Masterclass will cover why it’s important to build a professional profile, what employers are looking for and tips on developing a CV, job applications, and the importance of networking.

This masterclass is open to our Centre members.


18 May 2022
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM AEST

Mastering Industry Engaged Research – Intellectual Property

Protecting, managing and commercialising intellectual property in the MTP sector – Overview of IP
Presented by Dr Marcus Caulfield, FB Rice

The course will cover the following topics:

  • The fundamentals of patenting
  • IP inventorship and ownership
  • IP licensing and royalties
  • IP systems in other jurisdictions

This masterclass is open to our Centre members.


18 March 2022

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM AEDT

Mastering Industry Engaged Research – Business Intelligence

Competitive landscape and commercial assessment
Presented by Dr Hozana Castillo, Clarivate Analytics

Successful translation of your research requires a solid understanding of the ecosystem you are operating in. Before you can see partners or investments for your therapeutic technology, you need to be primed with information about the market, your competitors, and potential opportunities.

This masterclass is open to our Centre members.


25 November 2021
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM AEDT

Mastering Industry Engaged Research – Business Intelligence

Drug discovery and target druggability
Presented by Dr Hozana Castillo, Clarivate Analytics

Successful translation of your research requires a solid understanding of the ecosystem you are operating in. Before you can see partners or investments for your therapeutic technology, you need to be primed with information about the market, your competitors, and potential opportunities.

This masterclass is open to our Centre members.


3 December 2020
10:00 – 11:00 AM AEDT

Careers in the MTP sector Masterclass

Dr Pedro Navarro and Dr Elise Barile from our Partner Organisation Takeda California Inc. and Dr Jerome Wielens from the University of Melbourne (previous Monash colleague now Senior Business Development Manager) will talk about their careers and advice for moving from academia into industry careers.

This masterclass is open to our Centre members.


17 November 2020
3:30 – 5:30 PM AEDT

Commercialisation strategies Masterclass

Presented by Dr Glenn Begley (BioCurate CEO) and Dr Cathy Drinkwater (BioCurate Director of Project Management)

Our Training Partner BioCurate will present commercialisation strategies in the MedTechPharma (MTP) sector. Topics will include:

  • Interpreting preclinical data for clinical studies (i.e. the process of research translation)
  • How to interpret a scientific paper (in the context of a potential investment)
  • Intellectual Property considerations and strategy for the non-lawyer

This masterclass is open to our Centre members and affiliates.


29 September 2020
2:00 – 4:00 PM AEST

Protecting, managing and commercialising intellectual property in the MTP sector – Overview of IP

Dr Brittany Howard and Dr Maria Matveenko (FB Rice)

Over the course of four sessions, our Training Partner FB Rice will present on protecting, managing and commercialising intellectual property in the MedTechPharma (MTP) sector. Topics will include:

  • Overview of IP,
  • Protecting your research,
  • Patent infringement, freedom-to-operate, enforcement and commercialisation; and
  • Gaining global patent protection.

This masterclass is open to our Centre members and affiliates.


August 2020

Webinar series on Drug Discovery Intelligence tools

Clarivate Analytics will be hosting a series of webinars outlining how you could use the knowledge tools, Drug Research Advisor and Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence to accelerate your research.

Registration essential.

  • Basic Training on Drug Research Advisor and Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence
    • 6 August 2020 10:00 – 11:00 AM AEST
  • Advanced Training on Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence (including biomarkers module)
    • 20 August 2020 10:00 – 11:00 AM AEST

This series is available through the landmark medical research intelligence partnership between the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct and Clarivate.