2026 Molecular Maverick Prize
The second annual Molecular Maverick Prize event was held at Customs House on Tuesday 28 April 2026.
Huge congratulations to Koko Kawaura, our 2026 Molecular Maverick.
Without question, Koko is a Maverick, seeing opportunity where others see challenge and with the confidence to create impact.
We congratulate all 3 of the outstanding shortlisted finalists: Koko (pictured), along with Tanika Duivenvoorden and Abhay Sharma. They remind us of what the future could be.
See below for pitch videos from the 2026 shortlisted finalists and the industry panel, along with photos from the event.
2026 pitch videos
Koko Kawaura
Congratulations to Koko Kawaura, our 2026 Molecular Maverick.
Koko’s research aims to commercialise a novel biotechnology using immobilised bacteria to treat domestic and mining wastewater while recovering valuable resources from these waste streams.
With the translation of her research to a patent, she continues to engage with utility and mining companies, share her research in multiple international conferences while undergoing business development through CSIRO’s ON program, the National Energy Transition Accelerator, and the Australian Economic Accelerator.
Koko is committed to shaping a circular economy and tackling global environmental challenges through the power of bacteria.
Tanika Duivenvoorden
Congratulations to shortlisted finalist Tanika Duivenvoorden.
Tanika is a computational chemist with a passion for sustainable energy, researching new materials for advanced battery technologies and electrolyzers.
As an intern at Graphene Manufacturing Group, she has applied her research skills in industry, using computational simulations to guide material design. With her keen interest in research translation, she has participated in UQ Venture’s programs and led a team in the GETCO2 Centre of Excellence hackathon.
Tanika is an experienced science communicator and actively engages with the scientific community; she competed as a finalist for UQ’s 2025 3-Minute-Thesis competition, and volunteers in the CAI & AIBN Student Association, the Royal Australian Chemical Institute’s (RACI) QLD Women in Chemistry group, and as a Young Science Ambassador for Wonder of Science.
Abhay Sharma
Congratulations to shortlisted finalist Abhay Sharma.
Connecting atomic theory with industrial applications, Abhay is pushing the boundaries of molecular simulations. He develops atomic interaction models that improve the accuracy and reliability of predictions. Through contributions to the global platform, the Automated Topology Builder, which has over 29,000 users worldwide, he enables scalable scientific innovation.
Abhay collaborated with CSIRO Data61 to translate quantum algorithms into real-world applications and participated in the UQ Ventures Industry Challenge. He also organised the QUBIC Molecule Theme Workshop. Additionally, he volunteers to build the next generation of scientists through Wonder of Science.
2026 industry panel
The second annual Molecular Maverick Prize event opened with a panel of industry experts, moderated by Professor Trent Munro, on the dos and don’ts, ups and downs of the translation and commercialisation journey.
Panellists:
- Alisa Selimovic, IP Group
- Sarah Meibusch, One Ventures
- Professor Keith Chappell, UQ
Moderator
Professor Trent Munro
Trent Munro is an accomplished biotechnology and innovation leader with over 25 years of experience across Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. His career spans senior roles in the biopharmaceutical industry, major research institutions, and emerging innovation precincts, reflecting a long‑standing commitment to advancing scientific discovery and translating research into real‑world impact.
Currently based in Brisbane, Trent plays a pivotal role within the region’s innovation landscape through his leadership at Boggo Road Innovation Junction, where he contributes to building and supporting collaborative ecosystems that accelerate scientific and commercial outcomes. His professional background includes extensive experience in biotechnology, research translation and organisational leadership.
Trent’s global career has included significant appointments in both industry and academia, with previous roles in major biotechnology hubs such as Thousand Oaks, California, where he contributed to advanced biopharmaceutical development initiatives. His work has consistently focused on driving innovation, strengthening industry-research partnerships, and fostering high‑impact teams across multiple international locations.
A graduate of UQ, where he completed both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, Trent brings deep scientific expertise alongside a demonstrated track record of executive leadership. He remains an influential figure within the life sciences community, with thousands of professional connections and a reputation for shaping strategic growth within Australia’s expanding biotechnology sector.
Panellists
Dr Alisa Selimovic
Alisa is a Senior Investment Manager in Life Sciences at IP Group, where she has been building new life science companies for the last 8 years. In her role, Alisa works with leading researchers and TTOs to source new opportunities, develop them into investable proposals, and create new companies. Alisa is on the boards of several IP Group portfolio companies as observer or director.
Alisa holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Oxford University. Before returning to Australia in 2017, she spent several more years in the UK working with global pharma and biotech as a life science-focused management consultant, followed by 2 years focused on fundraising and M&A in a UK biotech.
Ms Sarah Meibusch
Sarah is a Partner and Head of Healthcare at OneVentures, one of Australia’s largest venture capital firms. Founded in 2010, the firm now manages over $1 billion in funds, investing across healthcare and technology. She backs life sciences companies developing transformative technologies with global potential, drawing on more than 20 years of leadership experience across start-ups, ASX and NASDAQ-listed companies, multinational pharma and research institutions.
An experienced dealmaker, she has led transactions from early-stage investments to major global pharma partnerships. Sarah is Chair of Vaxxas and serves on the boards of Kira Biotech and Vertero Therapeutics. She previously served on the board of Life Sciences Queensland.
Professor Keith Chappell
Keith Chappell is a Molecular Virologist focused on structure-based design of vaccines. Along with Daniel Watterson and Paul Young, he is one of the 3 inventors of the Molecular Clamp platform. In July 2025, Sanofi announced its intent to acquire Vicebio, a biotech spinout based on UQ’s Molecular Clamp technology, for an upfront payment of US$1.15 billion, with potential milestone payments of up to US$450 million. This landmark deal sets a record for intellectual property originating from an Australian university.
Keith leads a team of 20 research scientists within the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. This team is split between 2 major programs utilising the molecular: not for profit pandemic preparedness and contract research performed for Vicebio Ltd. Keith is also the lead scientific advisor. In 2020, Keith co-led UQ’s effort to produce a COVID vaccine, which progressed from sequence information to clinical trial dosing within 6 months.
