The George Institute’s Dr Parisa Glass takes on new innovation leadership role
SYDNEY, AUGUST 25 - Leading medical research organisation The George Institute for Global Health has announced that its Deputy Director Dr Parisa Glass will be taking on the newly created role of Director of Innovation and Enterprise at The Institute.
This new role, which recognises Dr Glass’s significant contribution to The Institute’s pursuit of entrepreneurship in the health sector, has been made possible through the inaugural Michael Hawker Fellowship in Social Enterprise.
Michael Hawker AM was Chair of the Board of Directors of The George Institute for almost a decade until 2019, helping to steer The Institute through an exciting but challenging time in its development.
His tenure saw the establishment of The Institute’s social enterprise, George Health Enterprises, and the launch of Genovate, The Institute’s capacity development program in low cost-innovation for global health problems, which Dr Glass has led since its inception in 2018.
Since then, Genovate has grown significantly. The program saw the launch of Health10x, in collaboration with UNSW Founders, in 2019. This unique accelerator – the first in Australia to focus on start-ups whose innovations address major health challenges in emerging markets – doubled in size and impact in its second year.
Genovate has also brokered partnerships with multiple innovation organisations across Australia, most notably the Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative with MTPConnect. This important alliance will help Genovate drive impact by supporting and amplifying key innovation programs like Health 10x as well as a national entrepreneurship training initiative.
The George Institute’s co-founder and Principal Director Professor Stephen MacMahon commented, “this award is a testament not only to Parisa’s role in the establishment of Genovate, but also to her many contributions to the growth and success of The George Institute over the past 12 years.”
Dr Glass has a PhD in Biomedical Science, a Masters Degree in Business Administration and holds a Senior Lecturer position with UNSW Sydney. She joined The George Institute in 2008 and has over fifteen years’ experience in health and university sectors in an operational and academic capacity.
Dr Glass will continue to work with The Institute’s Australian team over the next month to ensure a smooth transfer of her responsibilities until a decision is made on her replacement.
