Key Staff
Alison Todd PhD
Chief Scientific Officer and General Manager
Dr Alison Todd has extensive experience within the pharmaceutical industry where she developed several novel molecular analytical technologies which have been used for basic research, preclinical/clinical drug development and in vitro diagnostics. Her specific areas of scientific expertise include nucleic acid chemistry, particularly target amplification and catalytic DNA technologies, and the biology of cancer and viral diseases. Prior to founding SpeeDx, Alison was a Senior Research Director at Johnson and Johnson Research Pty Limited, Sydney. She was awarded the highly prestigious Johnson & Johnson Philip B. Hofmann Research Scientist Award which is a worldwide award for outstanding achievement in the field of research and development. Alison is an inventor on 13 patents/patent applications and her techniques have been used for molecular monitoring in nine international clinical trials for patients with HIV, leukaemia and various solid tumours. She successfully championed one of her inventions through to product in the life sciences research market. Alison studied at the University of Sydney, obtaining a B Sc (Hons 1st Class), and graduating as Dux of the Physiology Department. Later she completed a PhD within the Faculty of Medicine at the same university. Alison maintains an active involvement within the academic community and holds an adjunct appointment as Professorial Visiting Fellow at the University of New South Wales.
Elisa Mokany PhD
Director of R&D
Elisa Mokany has more than 10 years experience in medical research, during which she has been involved in developing analytical tests and novel technologies for molecular diagnostics. Previously, she worked for St Vincent’s hospital developing tests for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Later Elisa worked at Johnson & Johnson Research Pty Limited (JJR) where she developed diagnostic tests for leukemia and was involved in the commercialisation of proprietary technology known as DzyNA PCR. While at JJR, Elisa undertook studies towards her PhD, which involved co-invention of the novel nucleic acid technology, MNAzymes. The MNAzyme technology is key to the portfolio of intellectual property which underpins SpeeDx Pty Ltd, of which she is a founder. Elisa is the Director of Research and Development at SpeeDx and in this role she manages research projects, coordinates technology evaluations and transfers, and disseminates information to the medical and scientific community, in Australia and overseas. Elisa studied at the University of NSW, obtaining a BSc (Hons 1st Class) and later completed her PhD in conjunction with the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science.
Caroline Fuery PhD
Director of Product Development
Caroline has 15 years experience within the pharmaceutical and diagnostics industries. She was involved in the R&D of a range of novel molecular analytical technologies. One of these technologies was commercialized in the Life Sciences research market – a method for quantitative PCR analysis. Prior to joining SpeeDx as a founding member, Caroline was a Research Manager at Johnson & Johnson Research Pty Limited, Sydney. In this role, Caroline set up and ran a Central Laboratory compliant with national and international regulatory standards. She directed the development and validation of novel molecular techniques to provide assays to support an International Phase II clinical trial of a cell-delivered gene therapeutic. Caroline is currently the Director of Product Development at SpeeDx. She is an inventor on 5 patents involving nucleic acid analysis. Caroline studied at the University of Western Australia, obtaining a BSc (Hons 1st Class) and a PhD.
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