With a background in organic, medicinal, and process chemistry, Professor Gary Evans completed his PhD at the University of Otago and postdoc at Oxford. His work spans drug design, including the experimental drug Ulodesine. A member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, he serves as MBIE's Chief Science Advisor, contributing to science policy and innovation.

Director of Strategic Partnerships at the MIMR and Executive Director of the Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (VAANZ). She has over 30 years of experience working between world-leading universities, US-based drug-discovery companies and the New Zealand Government. She currently holds a senior leadership position at the MIMR.