Dr Julie Ince-Demetriou, Executive Director, Research
Julie is a passionate, collaborative, and purpose-driven senior research leader, whose career spans over 20 years in dynamic, global research and development environments within the pharmaceutical industry and government sector. Julie holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours and a PhD in Chemistry. Her strategic and innovative approach and deep commitment to harnessing the power of science and research to advance healthcare and patient outcomes, has been the driving force behind her respected career in clinical research. Accomplished in research strategy development and execution, clinical development and program management, adept stakeholder management, and optimising research operations. Julie thrives on cultivating impactful strategic partnerships that realise value across the research ecosystem and is recognised for her empowering and inclusive leadership style, creating the environment for building high-performing teams.
Before joining the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Julie held pivotal leadership roles for nearly a decade at AstraZeneca, as Director of Clinical Research, Therapeutic Area Lead for Oncology, and Regional Clinical Program Manager for early-phase oncology research. In these roles, she led the growth strategy and execution of substantial and diverse portfolios of global cancer clinical trials. Most recently, she founded and is Director of her own boutique consultancy and strategic advisory business, BioCollab Pty Ltd, serving the life sciences sector. Prior to AstraZeneca, Julie was Director of Strategic Research Investment and Program Manager for Clinical Trials at the Cancer Institute NSW, the state government cancer control agency, where she was responsible for leading the strategic priorities and plans for investment in cancer research and delivering on the NSW Cancer Plan.
In her pursuit of supporting a thriving research ecosystem in Australia, Julie has actively contributed to various advisory committees, including for AusBiotech and the NSW Office of Health and Medical Research. She serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of BioNSW, and is a committed advocate for STEM mentorship and education. Julie mentors through the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS), the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research, and Enterprise (SPHERE), and SPARK Oceania, while contributing as a casual lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Medicine at the University of Sydney.