Australian Association Of Chinese Biomedical Scientists Inc.

The Australian Association of Chinese Biomedical Scientists (AACBS) has delivered impactful initiatives to advance its mission of building a cohesive network for ChineseAustralian scientists, fostering diversity, inclusiveness, and gender equity. All activities are notforprofit, catering to scientists across different career stages. Below are the ways our work has helped achieve our mission and main aims: 1. Educational Workshops to Empower Emerging Scientists We successfully hosted two online workshops focused on writing research funding applications, which were attended by a total of 80 scientists at various career stages. These workshops provided practical, actionable knowledge to improve their grantwriting skills, addressing a critical need for earlytomid career researchers and HDR students. This initiative aligns with our mission to mentor and support young scientists in building successful career trajectories. 2. Renewal of Leadership Team with a Focus on Equity and Inclusion Our leadership team underwent renewal at the subcommittee level, with 40% of positions filled by firsttime leaders. We improved a gender equity ratio of 6:5, demonstrating our commitment to inclusiveness and gender equity. This renewal provided valuable opportunities for earlycareer researchers and female scientists to take on leadership roles, furthering their professional growth while strengthening the diversity and cohesiveness of our network. 3. Annual Scientific Meeting to Promote Collaboration and Innovation The Annual Scientific Meeting, themed Frontiers in Biomedical Research, brought together 80 researchers, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange. The event featured three keynote speakers who presented cuttingedge advancements in biotechnology, inspiring attendees and highlighting the potential for translational research. This event reinforced our role as a hub for scientific innovation and collaboration, fostering connections that benefit the biomedical research community. 4. Fostering Community and Collaboration In addition to professional development initiatives, AACBS organised a BBQ and a fruitpicking event to create opportunities for informal networking and community building among our members. These notforprofit activities provided a relaxed setting for earlytomidcareer researchers, senior scientists, and HDR students to connect, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships. By fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration within the ChineseAustralian biomedical research community, these events supported our mission to create a cohesive network and promote inclusivity, strengthening the foundation for future scientific partnerships and mentorship.