Dr Richard Gilbert
MD, PhD – Professor of Medicine, The University of Toronto

Dr Gilbert is a recognized expert in translational research on diabetic complications, particularly diabetic nephropathy and heart failure. In addition to his own research, Dr Gilbert provides consultative advice on drug discovery and marketing opinions to a range of pharmaceutical companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli-Lilly and Co. He also works as a clinical endocrinologist.

Dr Henry Krum
MD, PhD – Professor of Medicine, Monash University

Prof Krum is a recognized leader in cardiovascular therapeutics (CV), particularly in the area of novel CV drug therapies.  This is attested to by his publication record, grant success and invitations to give plenary talks at major international meetings.  He is currently Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor and/or Editorial Board member of many international CV therapeutics journals and current President of the Asian Pacific Society of Heart Failure.  Prof Krum has been Chairman and Executive Committee member of numerous international clinical trials as well as serving on Endpoint Committees and DSMBs for such trials.  He was recently appointed Study Chairman of a 7000 patient global heart failure trial.  He has in addition led many investigator-initiated trials of CV therapeutic agents.

Dr Spencer Williams
BSc (Hons) PhD, The University of Melbourne

Dr Spencer Williams is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemistry and the Bio21 Institute at the University of Melbourne, where he runs a vigorous research program focussing on biological, medicinal and carbohydrate chemistry. Dr William’s has been awarded several prestigious prizes including  the Rennie Memorial Medal and the Biota Award for Medicinal Chemistry. He is the Australian Representative to the International Carbohydrate Organization and is an advisor to several Australian Biotechnology companies.

Dr Robyn Langham
MBBS, PhD, FRACP – St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne

Associate Professor Robyn Langham is a recognized leader in Asian-Pacific nephrology, currently the Head of Nephrology at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. A past President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology, and current Secretary of the Asia-Pacific Society of Nephrology, she is both clinical nephrologist and scientist, active in translational research of renal disease. As well as a broad experience in clinical trials and medical education, she has led a number of Victorian State Government Renal Health initiatives, continues to be active in Kidney Health Australia programs and is a current Board member of AMA Victoria.

Dr Alan Naylor
PhD CChem FRSC

Dr Naylor is an independent Drug Discovery consultant and a Medicinal chemist with over 30 years experience in Research and Development within GlaxoSmithKline. He previously held the position of Vice President and Director of Medicinal Chemistry within the GSK Drug Discovery organisation. Dr Naylor has lead strategic, matrix and line functions and has held significant international responsibilities. He has an extensive track record of delivery, across a wide range of therapeutic areas, having played a major role in the discovery of over 30 development compounds, and is a co-inventor of Serevent, a major advance in the treatment of asthma. Extensive academic interactions have resulted in him being appointed to two visiting chairs at the universities of Reading and Sussex.
More recently, as an independent consultant, he has been engaged in providing scientific and strategic advice and analysis to major pharma, biotechnology companies, academic groups, capital investment companies and funding bodies on a variety of issues within the drug discovery and healthcare sector.

Dr Mike Tarbit
PhD Biochemistry, BSc (Hons) Zoology

Dr Tarbit retired from full-time employment in December 2005.  He now acts as a consultant on drug discovery and lead optimisation and SAB member for a number of Biotech and Pharma Companies.
Dr Tarbit is an internationally-recognised scientist with over 30 years experience with Pfizer , GlaxoSmithKline and two biotech companies in the fields of drug discovery, lead optimisation, pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism.  He has made significant contributions to the discovery and development of several major marketed medicines (fluconazole, sumatriptan, naratriptan, ondansetron and salmeterol).  He has published over 50 papers on his research, and teaches and presents regularly on pharmacokinetic and lead optimisation topics.  Mike has a PhD in Biochemistry, on the kinetics and interactions of azole drugs with cytochrome p-450, and a BSc (Hons) in Zoology.