AIBN appoints new Institute Director: Professor Kristofer Thurecht

Recently, UQ Vice Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC announced the appointment of Professor Kristofer Thurecht as Institute Director of the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.

Professor Thurecht has an accomplished 18-year career at UQ and is a recognised leader in bioengineering and nanotechnology. He has made a significant contribution to strengthening the University’s global research reputation and advancing UQ's world-class imaging and therapeutic capabilities.

Much of Professor Thurecht’s time at UQ has been spent at the AIBN, where he joined as an ARC Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Since then, he has progressed to lead his own internationally recognised research group, served as Deputy Director of AIBN's Centre for Advanced Imaging, was appointed Director of the ARC Hub for Advanced Manufacture of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals in 2022, and became AIBN's Deputy Director (Research) in 2023.

AIBN has a foundation built upon strong industry and government partnerships and Professor Thurecht has played a pivotal role in shaping this strategy. He has fostered collaborations that shape international science agendas, contributed to innovation in science and technology policies and has driven industry investment in research and innovation. Professor Thurecht has positioned AIBN as a key institutional vehicle for delivering UQ's research and innovation strategy, championing the development and expansion of enabling technology platforms, accelerating translation, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and delivering solutions for society.

He attributes the longevity of these relationships to a genuine partnership model.

“AIBN’s partners seek our knowledge and experience to improve their product or offering.  It’s about focussing on strategies where we can work together to address shared challenges for a field of industry. Together we think about how we can build frameworks and capability for what things might look like in five or 10 years’ time, in a true collaboration.” Professor Thurecht said.

“I think that’s why we’ve been successful. We haven’t just provided a service. We’ve provided a partnership. And that’s why AIBN is recognised globally as an enabler of translational research for impact.”

Beyond research partnerships, Professor Thurecht has supported international initiatives that bring higher degree research students to UQ as part of multi-institutional programs, alongside championing programs to bring in the next generation of students and researchers to the University. His commitment to developing future research leaders is reflected in his belief that the Institute provides an environment where students and early career researchers are supported to tackle complex, multidisciplinary challenges. 

“There’s an environment here at AIBN and UQ for PhD’s and early career researchers to truly engage in programs that address big problems and big challenges. Our edge is that we can harness the breadth of discovery science and innovation in AIBN, and apply it to mission-led programs where we become the translation engine of the university. Such an offering is difficult to find in one place in such an interconnected manner.” he said

In her announcement, Professor Terry highlighted that Professor Thurecht also brings a genuine passion for uplifting people, coupled with an empathetic and intelligent leadership style that inspires those around him. 

He is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive research culture, championing initiatives that improve equity and opportunity in research, mentoring the next generation of scientists, and creating an environment in which researchers at every career stage can thrive and realise their full potential.

His achievements extend well beyond the University, as reflected in numerous awards, patents, and prestigious fellowships. Through his leadership of major ARC initiatives, he continues to drive innovation and shape the future direction of bioengineering and nanotechnology research and drive AIBN to translate bold ideas into solutions for society.