Adjunct Professor Alison Todd, FTSE PhD awarded Member (AM) in the general division of the Order of Australia
Adjunct Professor Alison Todd, AM FTSE PhD, a distinguished figure in the field of medical research and tertiary education, has been recognized for her exceptional contributions and honoured as a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. This prestigious accolade highlights Dr Todd’s significant service to medical research and her unwavering dedication to advancing tertiary education.
As the Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of SpeeDx, Dr Todd has been at the forefront of ground-breaking scientific initiatives since 2009. Her leadership and expertise have been instrumental in the success and growth of the company. Dr Todd’s visionary approach and dogged commitment to deliver innovative clinical diagnostics to improve patient outcomes have contributed to the development of over 30 products, utilizing her patented inventions from a portfolio of 19 patent families.
In addition to her role at SpeeDx, Dr Todd has been an integral part of the academic community at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) for over two decades. Serving as an Adjunct Professor, she has enriched the educational experience of countless students through her roles as a supervisor of PhD, Masters, and Honours students, and as a guest lecturer, where she imparts her knowledge and passion for scientific discovery and implementation.
Further, Dr Todd’s passion for bridging the gap between academia and industry is facilitated through her involvement in the Industry Advisory Committee at UNSW’s School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, and the BSc External Advisory Group at the University of Newcastle.
Dr Todd strives to contribute to, and promote, the scientific ecosystem at both the state and national levels through her roles as a member of the AusBiotech NSW Leadership Committee and as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE). She mentors students at SpeeDx through ATSE’s Industry Mentoring Network in Stem (IMNIS) and IMNIS IgNite programs.
Recognized for her exceptional contributions beyond her immediate affiliations, Dr Todd is actively engaged in mentorship and guest speaking programs, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship as evidenced by participation in initiatives such as the Bridgetech Program (MTP Connect), the New Horizons program (Kolling Institute), Women in Science IWD Panel (UNSW), Science Meets Business (the University of Technology Sydney), and the Innovation MedLab Cohort/Innovation Experience Programs (Cicada Innovations). She is a champion for diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace and wider community.
Throughout her illustrious career, Dr Todd’s outstanding contributions have been widely recognized with numerous awards and honours highlighting her pivotal role in driving innovation within industry. Together with SpeeDx’s co-founder, Dr Elisa Mokany, she received the esteemed Prime Minister’s Award for Innovation (2022), acknowledging their ground-breaking work in advancing medical research; the Australian Company of the Year (2021) awarded by AusBiotech and Johnson & Johnson Innovations; and the Clunies Ross Award for Innovation (2020) from ATSE. Additionally, her early achievements were recognized with the Philip B. Hofmann Research Scientist Award (1997) from Johnson & Johnson.
The honour of being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia underscores Dr Todd’s exceptional service to medical research and her invaluable contributions to tertiary education, her unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and her commitment to all!
Congratulations Ally – we’re very proud of you!