The Last Word: Professor Alan Rowan

After 10 years at the helm of AIBN, director Professor Alan Rowan is preparing for his next chapter, stepping into the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) at the University of Wollongong.

Under his leadership, AIBN has grown from 250 to almost 600 people, becoming more collaborative, innovative, and ambitious in its contribution to Australian research. Professor Rowan has established major capabilities including the UQ Biosustainability Hub, the National Indigenous Science Translation Centre (NISTC), and the PM1 Facility—platforms that will continue to attract talent, partners and investment well into the future. His support for spin-outs and commercialisation has opened pathways for AIBN research to reach the broader world.

He has championed meaningful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, creating an environment where everyone—regardless of background, gender or family responsibilities—can participate fully in their work. Professor Rowan has strengthened AIBN's engagement with Indigenous communities, helped establish pathways that bring more First Nations voices into science, and supported programs that encourage students to think bigger about their future and their role in Australia's economy beyond academia.

These contributions are an integral part of Alan's legacy, standing alongside the facilities, capabilities and research achievements he leaves behind.

In a farewell speech by Vice-Chancellor Professor Debbie Terry, she commented that "Alan steered AIBN through major challenges and major leaps forward. He continued to build on the foundations laid by Peter Gray AO and helped AIBN embrace a future defined by ambition, translation and real-world impacts."

Most of all, Alan has shaped AIBN through his people-first leadership. His commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive culture has become part of the institute's identity. He has mentored 80 PhD students, shaping the next generation of scientists through his guidance and genuine belief that great science happens when people are supported to thrive.

His farewell from UQ also marks the close of his remarkable 40-year research career. After more than 400 publications, he is stepping away from the lab, ready to bring that same support and leadership to a new team.

We asked Professor Rowan to reflect on his time at AIBN and transition to new pastures.

What scientific discoveries at AIBN have excited you the most?

I can't pick the scientific breakthroughs that have excited me the most over the last decade—it would be like picking your favourite child! But I don't really think of it in those terms. There are so many people who have made amazing discoveries in therapeutics, vaccines, nanoparticles—all brilliant in their own way.

What I really value is how we've changed the model of innovation in Australia.

"We've changed the model of innovation in Australia."

We're now saying to companies, "We've got these capabilities, how can we work together to solve your problem?" This approach cascades into breakthroughs in vaccines, mRNAs, future catalysts and fuels. We're not working as individuals—it's the coherence of everybody that makes it happen. That's what I'm really proud of. The team.

What else at AIBN are you proud of?

I'm proud of the way AIBN is seen across the university as an inclusive place, and across the world as a place where people want to do business. I'm proud of what AIBN has become—its people and how they interact with the outside world. AIBN really is a place that is helping people and having a significant effect globally.

"AIBN is a place where people want to do business"

What I've always loved about directing AIBN is the freedom it has given me. With that freedom and the team around me, I've been deeply supported and together we've been able to push boundaries.

We've fought hard on gender equity to build an inclusive place where everybody has a fair go, because it is the right thing to do.

As a team, we haven't just done local things, we've done global things.

"As a team, we've pushed boundaries"

We've built relationships in China and other countries because we have the capabilities to have global impact, and we're working with some of the biggest research centres in the world, enabling us to deliver that impact.

Anywhere you go on the planet, people in our disciplines know AIBN. It's amazing—they've heard of us. In Brisbane, this city in Queensland, we are affecting people's lives. Our influence has been phenomenal.

The rest of the world respects what people do in the AIBN. I am incredibly proud of that. Not proud for myself, but proud of what we have built together as a team.

How do you imagine the next chapter for AIBN?

Leaving brings a certain element of sadness for me, because we, together, have built all of this over the last 10 years. But at a certain point, you also know that you've added your flavour to it. You're done. Now it's time for someone else to come in and build on top of that, add their flavour and do more amazing things.

And AIBN still has so much potential to grow.

We've doubled in size since I joined, and now AIBN has become an integral part of the face of the university, both globally and locally.

Therapeutics, advanced manufacturing, the biosustainability hub—all these areas are seeded and are now going to grow and produce fruit.

What advice would you give to the next AIBN Director?

"AIBN is a very precious thing, look after it."

AIBN occupies a unique position—our job is to support the University but also be innovative. I would say, never be afraid of trying something new and always be thinking ahead.

Keep asking "What does the world need in five years? How can we start laying the foundation for that?" And to do that, the Director needs to be out talking to people, listening, getting feedback and bringing that information back to the researchers.

Whoever is the next Director, I say to them, AIBN is a very precious thing, look after it.

What will you miss most about AIBN?

It's a very bittersweet feeling to move on somewhere else. AIBN has been what I have been living and breathing for 10 years. I'm going to miss it as it has been such a big part of my life.

It hasn't felt like a job for me, it has been genuinely something I enjoyed doing.

"I have made my stamp in AIBN's passport"

But 10 years is a good time to move on. There's only so much of me that I can give and I have made my stamp in the passport of the AIBN.

What's the next adventure on your horizon?

My next challenge is to be a senior manager of a university—Deputy Vice Chancellor of Wollongong University, currently ranked joint 11th in Australia. In two years, it will be number 9! That's my first goal, without a doubt.

I'm going to have to roll up my sleeves, learn a lot, listen a lot, and then just try and build the enthusiasm and the energy. It will be innovation on a bigger scale—a whole university.

I want them to get as much pleasure from it as I do.