Biography
Lars is a research scientist at CSIRO Biomedical Manufacturing where he facilitates the transition of drug delivery systems from the bench to bedside. He also serves as a co-lead for the bioconjugates and theranostics market area. In addition, Lars was also involved in CSIRO's SME Collaboration Nation mission where he investigated options for a MedTech hub to enable advanced manufacturing by Australia's MedTech SMEs.
Lars has a background in nanomedicine and the development of polymer-based nanoparticles for applications in theranostics and drug delivery. He carried out his PhD at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Melbourne in collaboration with UNSW Australia and ANSTO. Previously, he completed a master's and bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology in The Netherlands.
After his PhD he commenced a one-year postdoc at Monash University and CBNS on the development of star polymers for the treatment of cancer metastasis (ONJ), leukaemia, and lung cancer (Children's Cancer Institute). Lars then joined CSIRO as a CERC fellow where he worked on brain cancer theranostics under supervision of Prof. Nico Voelcker and successfully secured individual funding, including an AINSE early-career research grant, a CASS science/medicine grant, and several ANSTO Radiopharmaceutical Development Capacities Grants.
Lars also has an adjunct position at Monash University, co-supervises several PhD students (theranostics for acute thrombosis, optimising nanoparticles for blood-brain barrier penetration using microfluidic chips, and responsive nanocarriers for cancer treatment), and advises PhD students by participating in PhD milestone review panels.
Other Interests
Next to his research, Lars is a STA STEM Ambassador where he aims to forge stronger ties between science and technology and public policymakers.
He was also involved in improving the experience of EMCRs at CSIRO. He co-organised the biennial CSIRO Postdoc Conference, has been the secretary of CSIRO's National Postdoc Committee, and co-organised over 40 fortnightly science webinars for the Manufacturing business unit. He is also enthusiastic about promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Australia and has participated in National Science Week events, the Victorian finals of Famelab, the Australian finals of Falling Walls Lab, and hosts high school students at CSIRO for work experience.
Achievements and Awards
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2021-2021
Finalist Falling Walls Lab Australia
Australian Academy of Sciences -
2019-2019
Audience Choice Award - Victorian Finals Famelab
Famelab
Fields of Research
Academic Qualifications
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2016
PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Monash University -
2010
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Eindhoven University of Technology -
2006
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Eindhoven Univeristy of Technology (The Netherlands)
Professional Experiences
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2021-2021
Member Workgroup Engineering Community of Practice
CSIRO -
2019-2019
Secretary
CSIRO National CERC Postdoc Committee -
2018-2019
Program Committee Member
CSIRO Convergence Conference -
2017-2018
Outreach Committee Member
ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science & Technology -
2015-2015
Treasurer
Parkville Postgraduate Association -
2015-2015
Treasurer
American Association Pharmaceutical Sciences Melbourne Student Chapter
Grants
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2021-2021
CASS Medicine/Science Grant
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2020-2020
AINSE Early Career Research Award
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2018-2019
Monash Institute of Medical Engineering Seed Fund
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2014-2016
AINSE Postgraduate Research Award
Community and Corporate Citizenship
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2019-2023
Health and Safety Representative
-
2019-2023
Area Custodian
ORCID 0000-0002-5511-5281