AIIA SA Sundowner – A Retrospective on the State’s achievements made in STEM, ICT and Technology Innovation

Dr Leanna Read is the fourth Chief Scientist for South Australia. She is a renowned biotechnology expert and brings a wealth of executive, board and investment experience in technology-based businesses.

Leanna is currently the chair of the Cooperative Research Centre for Cell Therapy Manufacturing and member of the SA Economic Development Board, the Council for the University of South Australia and a member of BioAngels, which supports early-stage life sciences businesses.

She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and Board Director of Biosensis Pty Ltd. She has led a number of successful research and commercial ventures, including the Cooperative Research Centre for Tissue Growth and Repair, widely considered to be one of the most successful commercially focused CRCs. She was also the founding Managing Director and CEO of Adelaide biotechnology company, TGR BioSciences from 2001 – 2012.

A physiologist by training, Dr Read has published over 90 scientific papers and been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Australia. She has received a number of awards, including the 2006 South Australian of the Year (Science and Technology) and the 2011 Central Region winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Technology Category.