Canberra RNA Emerging Leaders Symposium 2026
The ACT RNA Club proudly hosted the Canberra RNA Emerging Leaders Symposium on 24 August 2026 at the John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR), The Australian National University (ANU). The one-day event brought together more than 60 PhD students, early and mid-career researchers, and senior academics from ANU, the University of Canberra (UC), and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to showcase cutting-edge RNA research, exchange ideas, network and strengthen Canberra’s growing RNA community.
A highlight of the symposium was the 10 high-impact rapid-fire presentations, where PhD students and early career researchers delivered compelling six-minute talks spanning mRNA therapeutics, mRNA-LNP vaccines, non-coding RNA and RNAi in plants, and computational and AI-enabled RNA research.
Congratulations to the 2026 prize winners:
Olivia Delfino (PhD Student, JCSMR, ANU)
James Bryson (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Copenhagen)
Chengcheng Zhong (Research scientist, CSIRO)
The symposium featured an engaging panel discussion on “The Pitfalls of IP and Patenting”, by keynote speaker Prof. Michael Gantier (Hudson Institute of Medical Research), an internationally recognised RNA and immunology researcher with a strong commercialisation track record, Prof. Pall Thordarson (UNSW RNA Institute), Dr Jake Matic (IP Australia), and Dr Deanna Barwick (ANU Commercialisation Development), who shared practical insights into intellectual property, innovation, and research translation.
The ACT RNA Club extends its sincere thanks to our sponsors: ANU Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation, Cytiva, Promega Australia, New England Biolabs, Millennium Science, A-RNA, The RNA Society, and Lexogen. Their generous support was instrumental in the success of this event.
