Molecular inventor to save lives

Alison is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of SpeeDx Pty Ltd – an Australian molecular diagnostics company, which manufactures and sells tests for the detection of infectious pathogens and determination of antimicrobial resistance. SpeeDx’s commercialisation efforts have helped establish Australia as a global leader in molecular diagnostics, while giving Australian scientists the opportunity to work with large multinational healthcare companies.

A serial inventor with over 200 granted patents, Alison is dedicated to inventing technologies which meet unmet clinical needs and facilitate better patient outcomes. All products sold by SpeeDx, or under licence from SpeeDx, exploit one or more of her inventions.

She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs and countering the underrepresentation of women in senior positions in STEM. Within her own company, 70 percent of employees, and 50 percent of management, are women. She maintains an academic role as an Adjunct Professor at the University of New South Wales and is a member of UNSW BABS Industry Advisory Committee. Her message to others regarding career paths is to follow your passion.

When asked about her passion for science, Alison shares her excitement for the potential of our future generations and the industry’s ability to expand opportunities for improved health care and longevity. She encourages students to consider the world of science and all that it could offer.

‘Follow your passion, be patient and persistent, and above all else, do what you love. You spend so much time working, it makes no sense not to.’

Upon reflecting at her time at Girls Grammar, Alison remembers fondly her biology teacher who she adored and helped her choose her path; and her incredible group of friends – all of whom where like-minded, motivated, ethical and who have stuck together and supported each other over the years.

Before founding SpeeDx, Alison worked for over 20 years within the pharmaceutical industry at Johnson and Johnson where her work in cancer research was recognised with the bestowal of the company’s highest scientific honour for a practising scientist worldwide, the Phillip B. Hofmann Research Scientist Award.

In 2023 Alison was honoured as a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for her significant service to medical research and her unwavering dedication to advancing tertiary education. Further, she is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) and the recipient of several highly prestigious awards including the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation (2022); the Australian Company of the Year (2021); and ATSE’s Clunies Ross Award for Innovation (2020).