Supporting future innovators through ATSE’s IMNIS Ignite Program

IMNIS Ignite, ATSE’s postgraduate internship program, connects industry-ready PhD students, graduates, and early-career researchers with leading organisations. It builds on the foundation of the IMNIS Engage mentoring program, which helps researchers develop essential leadership and industry skills, enhancing their readiness to transition from academia to impactful roles in industry. On 10 September 2024, we warmly welcomed Sabryn Hamila and Carla Andrit as interns through ATSE’s IMNIS Ignite program.

FB Rice’s involvement with ATSE’s IMNIS programs

FB Rice has a long-standing relationship with ATSE through our involvement in the IMNIS Engage mentoring program. Over the years, several team members, including Of Counsel Jenny Petering, have volunteered as mentors, providing guidance and insights to aspiring researchers. Extending this partnership into the IMNIS Ignite program allows us to further support the professional development of talented scientists like Sabryn and Carla as they explore new career paths in IP.

Under the guidance of Partners Lee Miles and Prue Cowin, Sabryn and Carla have been immersed in a variety of projects across the firm, gaining hands-on experience with different aspects of the patent profession. From shadowing our attorneys to learning about client interactions and the intricacies of patent strategy, with an aim to provide a comprehensive view of life as a trainee patent attorney.

With support from a range of team members at FB Rice, Sabryn and Carla have had the opportunity to engage in meaningful work and understand the real-world application of IP in advancing scientific discoveries.

Introducing our IMNIS Ignite interns

Sabryn Hamila holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Zoology from Monash University and recently completed her PhD at Monash, where her research focused on uncovering the function and mechanism of action of a novel oncogene in breast cancer. With a strong interest in transitioning her scientific expertise into intellectual property, Sabryn is keen to pursue a career as a Trans-Tasman patent attorney.

Sabryn stated, "The IMNIS Ignite program has been an invaluable opportunity to see how my background in biological research intersects with IP law. Throughout the program I was exposed to a wide variety of IP-related work across a breadth of interesting biotechnological inventions. As a result, I feel that I have come away from this internship with great insight into what the day-to-day life of a Patent Attorney looks like, and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned as I continue my journey. I am grateful to the team at FB Rice who, through their tremendous support, guidance, and warmth, have made this a truly enjoyable experience.”

Carla Andrit, who has a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from The University of Melbourne, spent her final undergraduate year working on a project developing novel monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of end-stage fibrotic NAFLD. Next year, Carla will be starting her Juris Doctor (JD) and is eager to see how she can combine her scientific training with a legal career in IP.

"Participating in the IMNIS Ignite program at FB Rice has provided me with meaningful exposure to the world of IP. It’s been inspiring to see how my scientific background has translated into contributing to the protection and advancement of global innovation. This experience has fuelled my passion for IP law and its critical role in shaping the future of business and technology” Carla shared.

Committed to the future of innovation

Our partnership with ATSE and our involvement in programs like IMNIS Ignite underscore our dedication to nurturing the next generation of innovators and IP professionals. By sharing our expertise and providing meaningful opportunities, we aim to help bridge the gap between scientific research and industry, contributing to a vibrant and resilient innovation community.