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Dr Simon Cook

Adjunct Research Fellow

Biography

Dr. Simon Cook is an Adjunct Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology. With a background in biotechnology and microbiology Simon was awarded his PhD in 2014 from the University of Wollongong in molecular microbiology and bacterial pathogenesis with a thesis titled – “Characterising the role of streptokinase polymorphism in the pathogenesis of Streptococcus pyogenes”. Thereafter, Simon took a rather interesting career turn after a ‘Grand Challenges’ funding call from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for a Next Generation Condom that significantly preserves or enhances pleasure, in order to improve uptake and regular use.Simon was employed as post-doc on the team in UOW that was successful in securing funding from the BMGF for the idea of ‘Investigating new tough hydrogels materials to replace latex’. Simon has since moved from UOW to Swinburne in 2016 and is now lead CI for Project Geldom at Swinburne where he manages R&D (materials science and validations, plant development build, operation and testing, materials development and ISO/QA compliance), hands-on engagement with partners/advisors and continues to develop knowledge across research and industrialisation.

Research interests

Biomedical science; Cell Biology and Biochemistry; Materials Science; Microbiology; Molecular Biology; Medical Devices and Diagnostics

PhD candidate and honours supervision

Higher degrees by research

Accredited to supervise Masters & Doctoral students as Co-Supervisor.

Fields of Research

  • Microbiology - 310700
  • Medical Biotechnology - 320600
  • Biomedical Engineering - 400300

Awards

  • 2017, Other, Vice-Chancellor's Interdisciplinary Research Excellence Award, University of Wollongong
  • 2017, National, MedTech's Got Talent Finalist, The Actuator
  • 2015, Other, Staff Finalist UOW 2015 Pitch Competition, Univeristy of Wollongong
  • 2013, National, Finalist Thompson Prize , Sydney Protein Group

Publications

Also published as: Cook, Simon; Cook, S.; Cook, S. M.; Cook, Simon M.
This publication listing is provided by Swinburne Research Bank. If you are the owner of this profile, you can update your publications using our online form.

Recent research grants awarded

  • 2020: Development of lactic acid polymer coating for fabrication of multiple API delivery from over the counter intravaginal rings (OTC IVRs) *; Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH2)
  • 2019: Development of hydrogel based intravaginal drug delivery device *; Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund
  • 2019: Development of hydrogel based intravaginal ring (IVR) drug delivery device (Student) *; Burnet Institute
  • 2019: The EVE-M Initiative - Enhancing the Vaginal Environment and Microbiome *; Frontier Health and Medical Research Program
  • 2019: The EVE-M Initiative - Enhancing the Vaginal Environment and Microbiome *; Frontier Health and Medical Research Program
  • 2018: Tough hydrogel materials as drug delivery vehicles for prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections *; Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH2)
  • 2017: Project Geldom - Building the Better Feeling Next-Gen Condom *; STC Australia
  • 2016: Project Geldom Phase II *; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

* Chief Investigator


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