Biography

Dr Carmel O'Brien is a Principal Research Scientist who has worked extensively across biotechnology, clinical health and medical research sectors. Postdoctorally (2001-), she has specialized in the development of stem cell technologies (Stem Cell Sciences 2001-2009), with the derivation of Australia’s first human embryonic stem cell lines for global research distribution being a key achievement. She was appointed to The CSIRO in 2009, where she has lead research on two AUS gov/California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)-funded translational research programs and currently leads research investigating human stem cells, neural lineages, neurotrophic viruses and bioengineered tissue systems. She was appointed in 2018 to head the Industry Portfolio for CSIRO’s Biomedical Translation Facility located in the Monash MedTech precinct. Dr O'Brien holds an adjunct Senior Lecturer appointment with the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University (2010-).

Carmel’s key interest is to achieve accessible healthcare advances through the growth of Australian industry-partnered biomedical research programs. She is a passionate advocate for the STEM education pipeline and actively supports I&D initiatives seeking to bring greater diversity and STEM workforce impacts.