Life sciences leader joins Queensland Eye Institute board

QEIF chairman Mr Mark Sheridan announced on 30 July that Pennisi would serve as non-executive director of the five-strong board. He brings with him more than 30 years’ experience managing and expanding commercial operations in the life sciences sector.With expertise in medical research commercialisation and government-industry partnerships, Pennisi fits into a broader QEIF program of targeting directors with specialised skills.The appointment comes after Professor Jeff Dunn recently stood down to assume a new role as CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.Pennisi is mber of The University of Queensland Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Faculty Board and is chairman of Griffith University’s Clinical Trials Advisory Committee, as well as a mber of the Queensland Government’s Biofutures Industry Advisory Group.He is also a government-appointed mber of the Queensland University of Technology Council, and associated committees.{{image3-a:r-w:250}}“With Mario’s experience and insight into research and clinical trials, together with his credentials as a non-executive director, we are looking forward to harnessing his skills to support our sustainability and innovation strategies to achieve our purpose of saving sight,” Sheridan said.In July, Pennisi was awarded BIO Leadership and Legacy Award in Industrial Biotechnology and Agriculture at the 16th BIO World Congress in Des Moines, Iowa.Queensland Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Mr Cameron Dick said Pennisi had been pivotal in building Queensland’s international reputation for world-leading medical and bioscience research.“As Queenslanders, we’re proud of this significant achievent by one of our own,” Dick said at the time.“He’s now also the first person from the Asia-Pacific region to receive this award, which shows the high regard both he and our state are held in when it comes to biotech.”In addition to the QEIF appointment, Pennisi is also a resident director of Elo Life Systs Australia, and a non-executive director of Alpine Immune Sciences Australia and Suncare Community Services.His previous roles include executive positions at Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology and Mayne Group, as well as serving as CEO of Life Sciences Queensland and Queensland Clinical Trials Network Inc. More reading:QEI to open new Brisbane clinic by JulyFellowship for AMD researcher