Celia bound for Germany for prestigious cup

A University of Queensland postgraduate student is the only student from Australia to win a place at the prestigious Merck Serono Innovation Cup, being held in Germany this month.

Master of Business Administration student Dr Celia Webby is one of 30 students from across the world selected to participate in the annual event.

Dr Webby, who works as a Research Partnerships Manager for UQ’s Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said the cup aimed to develop new approaches to medicine and improve patient care.

“This is an amazing opportunity to work with researchers from across the world and receive mentoring from pharmaceutical experts,” she said.

“Participants work in small teams to develop innovative new concepts for treatment in areas such as oncology, auto-immune diseases and bio-engineering.

“Each team evaluates their concept and develops a business plan.

“Team submissions are assessed by a panel of industry experts for a chance to win the cup and prize money.

“We are also provided with access to industry experts to learn how drugs are successfully developed and brought to market.”

Dr Webby said she was the first UQ student selected for the cup since its inception in 2011.

“I’m very honoured to be included in this group of researchers who are the best and brightest students from some of the world’s leading universities,” Dr Webby said.

“This event provides unique professional opportunities and I’m looking forward to learning more about the pharmaceutical industry and drug development.”

Media: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Senior Marketing and Communications Officer Kate Gadenne, 07 3346 3036, 0438 727 895, k.gadenne@uq.edu.au.