March 9, 2022

Beyond Science pushes translational breakthroughs for otolaryngology, head and neck surgery

New program brings clinicians and scientists together to advance biomedical innovation

Beyond Science is a new program that aims to advance biomedical innovation in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, and to develop further translational breakthroughs in clinical practice.

It comprises a network of clinicians and scientists, including Distinguished Professor Gordon Wallace (pictured above) and Professor Jeremy Crook from the University of Wollongong (UOW).

Cochlear Limited Chief Scientist - Emeritus Professor Jim Patrick launched the Beyond Science program, which at the NSW College of Surgeons annual dinner at the end of last month.

The training program brings together a board of clinical and scientific researchers, led by ENT surgeon Associate Professor Payal Mukherjee (Clinical) and the Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) and UOW’s Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) Professor Wallace (Scientific).

“For decades we have been building highly effective clinical and scientific collaborative networks. The Beyond Science program will ensure that future projects can benefit immediately from this level of connectivity,” Professor Wallace said.

“This will help propel projects along the ideas to industries pipeline and facilitate translation of advances into the clinic in a timely manner.”

The importance of such a program was made apparent when an MTPConnect survey in 2020 identified the need for an emphasis on research and industry skills for surgery. The Beyond Sciences initiative will provide this support while aiming to develop key translational research skills.

“The program will help build resources to better translate ideas to outcomes in our hospitals both metropolitan and regional,” Professor Mukherjee said.

“Not only will this mean that health care innovations are being developed where the need is the most, but that eventually health care inequity is also reduced in our system.”

In addition to Professor Mukherjee and Professor Wallace, the program’s board also includes UOW’s Professor Jeremy Crook as well as a clinical and scientific pool, including Professor Jonathon Clark, Associate Professor Kelvin Kong, Professor Stuart Mackay, Professor Raymond Sacks, Professor Richard Harvey, Associate Professor Raewyn Campbell, Professor Nirmal Patel and Associate Professor Daniel Novakovic, Professor Ben Eggleton, Professor Gregg Suaning, Professor Svetha Venkatesh, Associate Professor Hamish Macdougall, Professor David McAlpine, Professor Nigel Lovell and Professor Laura Poole-Warren.

The program is supported by the The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Institute of Academic Surgery, Sydney LocalHealth District and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Find out more information about Beyond Science here.