Alan Trounson Australian Society for Medical Research Annual Scientific Meeting 2016

Alan Trounson

Alan Trounson is Emeritus Professor Monash University and Distinguished Scientist, Hudson Institute for Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. He is the past President of the Californian Institute for Regenerative Medicine (2007-2014), the Californian state’s $3 billion stem cell agency driving research in stem cell biology and facilitating the translation of stem cell discoveries into clinical therapies. He was a pioneer of human in vitro fertilisation (IVF) (1977-1996), introducing fertility drugs for controlling ovulation, embryo freezing techniques, egg and embryo donation methods, early sperm microinjection methods, initiated embryo biopsy, developing in vitro oocyte maturation methods and the vitrification of eggs and embryos. He pioneered somatic cell nuclear transfer for embryonic stem cells in mice, led the Australian team cloning cattle for the Dairy Industry and was involved in developing artificial breeding of wombats, Black Rhinos and the frozen zoo for wild and endangered species. He led the Australian team for the discovery of human embryonic stem cells in the late 1990’s and was awarded the first Australian Biotechnology of Excellence in 2003. He was the founding CEO of the Australian Stem Cell Centre. He was Director of the Centre For Early Human Development (1987-2003) and Deputy Director Monash Institute Reproduction and Development (1990-2003). He founded the Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories (120 scientists) at Monash University (2004-7). He is presently the founding CEO/President of the start-up company Cartherics Pty Ltd., developing immune stem cell therapies for treating ovarian and gastric cancer sited at the Monash Health Translation Precinct, Hudson Institute, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton Vic. Alan has 4 kids - Kylie (40) lawyer, playwright and actor; Justin (37) PhD clinical psychologist at Swinburne Uni; Karl (26) PhD student Vic University and Western Bulldogs football team – and is a strength and conditioning coach for elite athletes; Alex (16) studet Wesley College. Partner Karin Hammarberg PhD – Women’s Health Research Fellow, Monash University. He and Karin support the development of low cost IVF clinics in Africa (presently Zimbabwe).