Orations

The Depaz and Millis Orations honour two remarkable pioneers of Australia’s life sciences industry and serve as a focal point of the annual AusBiotech Conference.

The Millis Oration, named in recognition of Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis’s outstanding contribution to the sector, is presented each year at the International AusBiotech Conference in partnership with CSL.

In 2025, AusBiotech will introduce the Depaz Oration, an annual keynote established in memory of the late Dr Iris Depaz, recognising her enduring impact on the industry, in partnership with Sanofi.

Nancy Millis

Nancy Millis is one of the pioneers of the study of fermentation technology in Australia, and thought of as the First Lady of biotechnology.

Prof Millis’ areas of interest lie in the general field of biotechnology, more specifically in fermentation, wastewater and environmental biotechnology.Having attained a Master of Agricultural Science (MAgSc) at the University of Melbourne, and then a PhD from Bristol University, Prof Millis was appointed to the position of Lecturer in the Microbiology department at the University of Melbourne from 1953 until 1982, during which time she was awarded a Fulbright travel grant (1954). In 1982, she was made a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Melbourne, a position that she held until 1987. In 1988 she was made Emeritus Professor of the University of Melbourne.

During her career she was appointed MBE — Member of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) — 31 December 1976 for her work in biological sciences and education and appointed AC — Companion of the Order of Australia — 11 June 1990. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Society for Microbiology and of AusBiotech Ltd. From 1981-2001 she chaired the Commonwealth government’s agency for the surveillance of genetic engineering.

Iris Depaz

As an AusBiotech Board Member, Head of Medical Vaccines, and Managing Director of the Translational Science Hub in Queensland at Sanofi, Dr Depaz held an unwavering commitment to our sector and belief in the potential of Australia’s life sciences sector. She saw our sector as a transformative force for our economy and the future of healthcare in Australia.

Known for her infectious enthusiasm, warmth, and compassion, Dr Depaz was a source of joy and inspiration to all who knew her. She embodied the true essence of leadership, deeply caring for her colleagues while tirelessly advocating for the advancement of the entire biotechnology sector.

Dr Depaz’s leadership played a pivotal role in establishing Sanofi’s Translational Science Hub — a $280 million collaboration with the Queensland Government, the University of Queensland, and Griffith University. As the Hub’s Managing Director, one of her primary goals was to strengthen Australia’s biomedical ecosystem. Beyond her work at Sanofi, Dr Depaz was a passionate advocate for digital technology and championed the advancement of digital healthcare platforms in Australia. She had previously served as a Director of a blockchain and AI start-up designed to empower patients with ownership of their healthcare data, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health.

Previous Depaz Orators

2025: Adjunct Professor Alison V. Todd AM, FTSE, PhD, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at SpeedX

Previous Millis Orators

2025: Dr Christian Behrenbruch, CEO, Telix Pharmaceuticals, Getting hot down under – Global leadership in radiopharma (the opportunities and challenges)
2024: Dr Daniel Timms, Founder & Chief Technical Officer, BiVACOR: The Medical  Moonshot – A decades long quest to build an artificial heart
2023: Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer AC FRS, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland; Director, Microba: Navigating the future: predictions and potentials of Australian biotechnology
2022: Professor Marvin Caruthers, Distinguished Professor, University of Colorado: Biotechnology industry transformation through ground-breaking DNA synthesis chemistry
2021: Professor Sharon Lewin AO, Director, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity: HIV to COVID-19: what history has taught us about our response to pandemics
2020: Professor Paul Young, Professor of Virology and Head of School, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland
2019: Dr Melissa Little, Theme Director, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute: Rebuilding kidney tissue from stem cells
2018: Prof Doug Hilton, Institute Director, Division Head of Molecular Medicine, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute: The three pillars of WEHI’s activities – science, translation & entrepreneurship
2017: Dr C. Glenn Begley, Chief Executive Officer, Biocurate Pty Ltd
2016: Prof Ian Gust AO, Professorial Fellow, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, who reflected on the biotechnology industry past
2015: Prof Carola Vinuesa, Head of the Department of Pathogens and Immunity at the Australian National University
2014: Prof Frank Gannon, Director & CEO, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, who discussed the The connection between medical research and business
2013: Dr Mark Shackleton, Melanoma Research Laboratory, Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, who explored the Implications of Cancer Heterogeneity for Cancer Treatment and Research
2012: Dr Alan Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Pharmaxis, who discussed New Medicines – How Do We Get Them & How Do We Pay for Them?
2011: Prof Ross McKinnon, Research Director and Professor in Cancer Research, Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, School of Medicine, Flinders University, who discussed Translating health discovery into clinical applications: an Australian perspective
2010: Prof Nadia Rosenthal, Founding Director, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University.

Where life science leaders thrive

Orations

The Depaz and Millis Orations honour two remarkable pioneers of Australia’s life sciences industry and serve as a focal point of the annual AusBiotech Conference.

Nancy Millis

Iris Depaz

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