Chris Pettigrew: A career rooted in impact

Christopher Pettigrew’s career has never followed a straight line – nor has he wanted it to. “It’s been a journey of odd leaps and almost random steps,” he says, “but health and medical research has always been the constant.” From a dual degree in Biotechnology (Honours) and Law at The University of Queensland, to a PhD in biochemistry and cell biology, and postdoctoral stints in Ireland and Boston, Chris has built a career that bridges the scientific, strategic and social sides of biotech.

While his research focus was molecular biology – covering diseases as varied as cancer, muscular dystrophy, and retinal degeneration – he knew early on that a traditional academic path wasn’t for him. “I enjoyed research, but I never aspired to become a group leader,” he reflects. Instead, he’s embraced opportunity wherever it has arisen.

From researcher to research strategist

After completing his second postdoc, Chris pivoted to publishing, joining Cell Press in Boston as editor of Trends in Molecular Medicine. There, he found a role that drew on his research and law background and allowed him to explore the broader context of molecular medicine – from emerging DNA-editing technologies to changes in intellectual property regulation.

Returning to Australia, Chris brought this editorial mindset to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Alzheimer’s Australia, where he helped establish the NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research. Tasked with directing $200 million in federal funding, the institute catalysed new approaches and collaborations, drawing researchers from beyond traditional dementia fields and creating a shift in how the disease was studied nationally.

He continued this focus on strategic investment in his next role as Director of Research at the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). There, Chris wrestled with an ever-present tension: how to allocate finite research funds to achieve maximum impact. Collaborations were key, including partnerships with the likes of Movember and Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation that supported cross-disease projects targeting hormone-responsive cancers. “With breast cancer, survival rates are high,” he explains, “but the volume of diagnoses means many lives are still lost. That narrative is complex, especially in a donation-driven model.”

Delivering real-time health impact

Today, Chris serves as Head of the HCF Research Foundation – the largest non-government funder of health services research in Australia. While his earlier roles were focused on long-term scientific progress, his current work supports projects that can change healthcare delivery in real time. “It’s not about discovering a new drug,” he explains, “but it might be about delivering an existing drug in a tablet at home instead of in a hospital. What does that mean for cost, outcomes, and patient quality of life? There can be flow-on effects too, by freeing up a hospital bed for someone else who really needs it.”

The foundation was set up with an endowment from HCF and now funds projects across aged care, hospital services, physiotherapy, GP care and more. Chris has introduced performance metrics and grant evaluation processes to ensure accountability and transparency. “It’s not just about what got discovered in the research project,” he says. “It’s also about whether people had the stability to build their programs, mentor others, and create lasting impact.”

Advice for the next generation

Chris didn’t always know what lay ahead – and he thinks that’s okay. “I never said, ‘I want to get into publishing.’ The opportunity came up and I went for it.” For students today, he encourages curiosity, courage and early planning.

“If you’re sure you want to go into industry, don’t wait around. Get the experience early. Industry values that more than academic training.”

He recalls that, during his PhD, the standard path seemed fixed: PhD, postdoc, fellowship, academia. But when he ran the numbers, he realised how few roles there were further down the path – and how many graduates were competing for them. “People say, ‘With a PhD, you can do anything.’ But as students, we looked around and wondered: ‘Like what?’”

He’s keen to see more opportunities for students to explore alternative careers early on, including through study tours and exposure to innovation hubs overseas. “Send students to Boston or San Diego. Show them ecosystems where research and commercialisation are tightly linked. It’s eye-opening.”

Biotech at UQ and beyond

Chris looks back fondly at his time at UQ, especially the biotech courses that went beyond traditional lectures. “We got to create mock products, do market analysis, and build development plans. There was freedom, creativity, and real-world relevance.”

That blend of science and strategy – what he calls “the business of science” – is what has stuck with him most.

“Biotech isn’t just about research. It’s about how science fits into the world, including economics, marketing, and policy.”

Chris sees commercialisation not just as profit-driven, but as essential to survival. “We need viable products. That’s where philanthropy and public investment come in—to support what’s valuable but not yet sustainable.”

What’s next for biotech

Chris resists naming any single breakthrough as the most exciting development in biotech. Instead, he marvels at the pace of progress. “My PhD took years. Within 3 years of finishing, I could’ve done it in 6 months with the new sequencing tech. Today? Probably even faster.”

He believes the next frontier lies in personalisation: tailoring treatments not just to diseases, but to people. “We’re starting to see drugs used cross-purpose because we understand them better – how they behave in different genetic or lifestyle contexts. That’s where real change is coming.”

He’s also excited by emerging intersections of biotech, digital health and regulation – particularly in how apps are used for cognitive therapies or managing addiction. “What’s a treatment and what’s a lifestyle app? Where do regulations apply? These are important questions.”

A legacy of purpose

No matter the setting – lab, journal, foundation or policy board – Chris has been driven by one thing: the power of science to improve lives. “Every job I’ve taken, and every job I’ll take, has to tie back to that,” he says.

His approach to biotech is as practical as it is philosophical: support bold ideas, back them with sound processes, and keep people at the centre. “It's not just about what gets discovered,” he says. “It's about who gets supported, what networks get built, and who gets mentored along the way.”