Victoria's Lead Scientist

About Dr Amanda Caples

Victoria’s Lead Scientist is Dr Amanda Caples.

Dr Amanda Caples BSc Hons PhD GAICD was appointed to the role in mid-2016.

Amanda brings broad experience in:

• technology commercialisation
• public policy development
• governance of public and private entities.

As Deputy Secretary Sector Development and Programs, Amanda was responsible for:

• the development of Future Industries strategic sector growth plans
• support of the Victorian science, innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

After graduating from the University of Melbourne with a PhD in pharmacology, Amanda began her pharmaceutical industry career with Servier Laboratories Australia where she was responsible for:

• local product development
• the registration of new medicines for the treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure.

Amanda progressed to business development roles first with AMRAD where she secured licensing deals and strategic alliances for the R&D portfolio before joining the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute to establish the Technology Transfer Office.

Amanda joined the Victorian public service in 2002 as the inaugural Director of Biotechnology and was subsequently appointed as the Executive Director Science and Technology to drive the state's science agenda. In these roles, Amanda has:

• led the development of industry sector strategy plans
• delivered research-led health initiatives, regulatory and legislative scientific reforms
• established international alliances.

Amanda has also worked with Commonwealth agencies on national science and innovation policies and programs, notably the Australian Synchrotron and the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme.

About Victoria's Lead Scientist

The priorities of the Lead Scientist are to:

• advocate the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to Victoria's economic future
• enhance university/business engagement and identify opportunities to build scale of activities by facilitating partnerships.
• scan the horizon for new technologies and provide high level strategic advice on potential social and economic impacts.

Independent reports

The Office of the Lead Scientist aligns and connects Victoria’s innovation ecosystem. It works across businesses, the research sector and governments to foster linkages that benefit the Victorian economy and community.

Commencing 20 years ago, successive Victorian Governments have made a series of strategic investments in science, technology, and innovation. There is a strong focus on the health and medical research sector. Systematic investment in research infrastructure, skills, talent attraction and the use of contestable funding to catalyse industry-led innovation has helped Victoria’s position as a globally recognised leader in health and medical research and biotechnology.

Victoria has built a thriving, globally competitive innovation sector through sustained investment in science and research infrastructure, skills and product development and commercialisation capabilities. The following reports build the evidence base to inform future investments in the sector.

Stimulating the Science and Research Ecosystem Creates Jobs and Investment (the ACOLA Report)

The ACOLA Report finds that stimulation of Victoria’s through the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) initiative (2000-2010) has contributed to the Victorian economy through:

• the direct and indirect creation of jobs
• attraction of further investments
• support of local SMEs and startups through technology and knowledge transfer
• creation of new linkages with the services sectors that support them.

Creating a Healthy Future: The impact of Victorian Government investment in health and medical research

The report builds on previous economic evaluations of Victoria’s systematic investment in the medical research and biotechnology system. It presents the impact of these investments and fills an important evidence-gap on the value of Victorian Government investment in health and medical research. The report includes eleven case studies highlighting, the breadth and impact of Victorian Government investments during the ‘experimental period’.

Need more information?

For more information on Victoria’s Lead Scientist, contact lead.scientist@ecodev.vic.gov.au.