Steering committee member for a pre-clinical stroke research project

Who it’s for: Survivors of stroke, family members, or carers
What it involves: Joining a research team
Where: Online (Australia) or in person (Victoria)

Summary

This research project is led by VivaZome, a Melbourne-based biotechnology company working with La Trobe University and leading stroke doctors to develop exosome therapies – a promising new approach for treating stroke.

VivaZome is developing new treatments for brain-related conditions like stroke and traumatic brain injury. These treatments use exosomes – tiny natural particles released by cells that carry important substances like proteins and genetic material. When given to a patient, exosomes can help the body heal and fight disease. Exosomes can also be modified to direct them to specific areas, like the brain, to make them more effective.

VivaZome, in collaboration with leading stroke researcher Professor Chris Sobey at La Trobe University, has conducted animal studies, showing that VivaZome's exosomes can reduce inflammation and provide therapeutic benefit in stroke-affected mice. This project titled, "Harnessing Targeted Extracellular Vesicles (TEVs): A Breakthrough Approach to Stroke Therapy," aims to further develop a novel brain-targeting exosome treatment as an effective treatment for acute stroke.

As part of this, there is one position for a person with lived experience of stroke to join the research team as a Steering Committee member.

Eligibility

• Lived experience of stroke, as a survivor of stroke, or a family member or carer.
• Interest or experience in pre-clinical/laboratory-based research, or an understanding of these areas would be beneficial.
• It is desirable (but not essential) to have skills and experience in public relations, communication, marketing, and social media.

Activity

Joining the research team’s Steering Committee includes:

• Introduction and orientation – approx. 1 hour: You will meet with Project Leader Xenia Sango from VivaZome. This can happen by phone, online, or in person (if living in Melbourne).
• Joining Meetings – approx. 3–4 hours per meeting (includes preparation time): If the grant application is successful, you will be invited to monthly steering committee meetings to oversee and provide input to the conduct of the project and how progress of the research is communicated to the stroke community.
• There would be a total of 24 meetings over the 2-year project, from July 2025 to June 2027.

The team value your time and expertise. Remuneration will be provided for your contributions.

Trial Timeline:

• Funding application through the Medical Research Future Fund: April 2025.
• Funding outcome expected: June 2025.
• If funded, the trial project will run for 2 years, July 2025 – June 2027.

Contact

For more information please contact Ms Xenia Sango via email to xenia.sango@vivazome.com