“Connector of commercialisation” named new President of STA

The joint lead in a RMIT University team on Functional Materials and Microsystems, researcher Professor Sharath Sriram (pictured), has been appointed as the new President of Science & Technology Australia.

In a statement from STA lauding the materials scientist and engineer as a “Visionary ‘connector of commercialisation’ and research rockstar”, STA said Sriram possessed an unrivalled understanding of Australian STEM strengths and capabilities, as well as the major policy levers for driving commercialisation.

Sriram, who began his two-year leadership term on Wednesday, has been a part of teams working with companies including Nutromics, ESN Cleer, and Sleeptite. 

According to the statement, he has created more than $6 million in commercial partnerships for RMIT University over the past five years.

“Science & Technology Australia is a highly influential policy voice for the brilliant talent across Australia’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors – I am deeply honoured to lead it,” said Sriram in a statement on Wednesday.

“I plan to draw together the full breadth of Australia’s STEM sector – industry, research, professional societies, academia, start-ups, and innovation – to truly power up Australian prosperity.”

“To be a nation of creators and not just consumers, Australia needs robust investment to support the full pipeline of STEM programs from ideas, through to research, validation, prototyping, and deployment.”

“We also need to secure the stability and career development of early- and mid-career researchers – and drive transformative changes in STEM education from the very earliest years of learning.”

According to his biography on RMIT’s website, Sriram’s current roles include Commission Chair of the Australian Materials Research Society, Executive at the Australian Brain Alliance, and member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts.

The new President succeeds Professor Mark Hutchinson, who will co-chair a new STA Bench-to-Boardroom initiative committee.

Picture: credit Science & Technology Australia

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