Dr Leanna Read has broad-ranging executive, board and investment experience in health translation and in a range of technology-based enterprises, particularly biotechnology. As CEO and Chair of the CRC for Cell Therapy Manufacturing (CTM CRC) until October 2019, she had oversight of research translation programs focused on cancer immunology as well as smart surfaces for implanted medical devices. She has an ongoing role as chair of CTM CRC’s spin-out companies, Carina Biotech Pty Ltd and TekCyte Pty Ltd, which are commercialising the technology in these fields.

Leanna has recently completed a four-year term as Chief Scientist for South Australia and brings extensive experience on boards that address innovation across government, industry and academic sectors. She is a current member of several private and public sector boards including Uniseed venture capital investment company, Biosensis Pty Ltd, RSPCA SA and the Federal Government Biomedical Translation Fund Committee. She also chairs the recently established Agtech Advisory Group for the SA Government.