Summary
I started my academic career as a scientist, receiving a BSc with first class honours in zoology from Manchester University, an MSc with distinction and a PhD from Dalhousie University in Canada. My scientific research was in the area of cell biology, with particular focus on the development of simple nervous systems.
In 1992, I commenced studying law at the University of Tasmania and obtained a first class honours degree in 1996. I subsequently completed my LLM thesis in 1997 on Patenting of Human Genetic Material in Australia.
I was admitted as a barrister and solicitor to the Supreme Court of Tasmania and the High Court in 1998. I practised law for at Dobson Mitchell and Allport in Hobart, mostly in the areas of personal injury law and intellectual property law until 2000, when I was appointed as Lecturer at the University of Tasmania. I now hold the position of Professor. I am the Associate Dean, Research in the Law Faculty and have a number of other administrative appointments.
My research focuses on the legal issues associated with the commercialisation of genetic knowledge and patenting of genetic inventions.
Experience
- Law academic, University of Tasmania 2000 – present
Education
- University of Tasmania, LLM, 1997
- Dalhousie University, Canada, PhD (Biology), 1987
Research Areas
- Intellectual Property Law (180115)