“People with Parkinson’s routinely tell us they wish for some symptomatic relief - perhaps a good night sleep - not a miracle cure in 10 years from now.”
Dr Wayne Markman, CEO
Peter Carre CO-FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN
AB (Harvard), JD (Boston)
Peter is an experienced lawyer, company advisor and director with a strong track record in commercialising innovative med/bio-technologies. Peter has developed many companies out of research institutes and universities, raised capital, and led senior technology management teams.
He received a lifetime achievement award for corporate governance from the AICD, was an APEC Summit (Shanghai) keynote speaker on Medtech investing in Asia Pacific, a former Garvan Institute of Medical Research Commercialisation Director and a co-founder of Xcelerator, Australia's first life sciences incubator which listed several Med/Bio-tech companies on the ASX.
Dr Wayne Markman CO-FOUNDER & CEO
BEcon (Macalester), MBA (Harvard), BChiro and MChiro (Macquarie)
Wayne is an experienced healthcare startup CEO. He was previously a corporate finance and venture capital professional and is also a qualified Doctor of Chiropractic. He has successfully commercialised a number of different medical technologies, navigated the regulatory process in several international jurisdictions and built global medical supply and distribution channels.
Wayne was previously a Director at Credit Suisse where he structured M&A and capital market transactions in the tech and healthcare sectors. In his spare time he is a lecturer in Investment Management at University Technology Sydney (UTS) and plays tennis and football.
Mr Michael Quinn NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
B.Sci (Uni of WA), MBA (Harvard)
Experienced executive, venture capitalist and global company director. Mike was co-founder of Memtec Ltd (NYSE, ASX) now owned by DuPont, and founder of Innovation Capital, an Australian/US venture fund. He was a director of several large and successful LSE, ASX, NASDAQ and NYSE entities – ResMed, Phoenix Scientific, Innate& Immuno-therapeutics. Mike graduated from the University of Western Australia and Harvard Business School.
Ms Sally Macdonald NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BComm, (University of Melbourne); MBA (Harvard)
Successful public company CEO, consumer branded goods and digital marketing expert. Proven track record of brand-building and driving shareholder value. Former CEO of Oroton Group, Ralph Lauren (Australia & NZ) and Big W Discount Department Store, a retail chain with 20,000 employees and $4 billion in sales. Sally is currently Chair of Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd, a heritage Australian women’s luxury apparel brand. Sally is a former BCG consultant in Melbourne and New York.
Dr Allison Komiyama, PhD, RAC NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BA Molecular & Cell Biology; (UC Berkeley); PhD Neuroscience (Stanford)
FDA medical device expert, having held numerous FDA advisory roles in private industry. Allison was formerly President of Acknowledge Regulatory Strategies which was acquired by RQM+, a leading medical device FDA consultancy with experience in approvals, media reimbursement and running RCTs.
Dr Ann Liebert CO-FOUNDER & SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR
BApp Science - Physio, PhD (USYD)
Ann is a world-renowned researcher in Medical Photobiomics, Coordinator of Photomolecular Research, San Hospital, a qualified Physiotherapist and Adjunct Senior Lecturer Department of Medicine at The University of Sydney. Research projects include metabolic disease/pre-diabetes insulin resistance trial-of-concept case studies and multi-centre Parkinson's translational trials - in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Ann was a keynote speaker at the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE Photonics West) in San Francisco in February 2020. Ann is currently leading the development of SYMBYX's therapies for neurodegenerative and obesity related disorders, commencing with a system for alleviating Parkinson’s related symptoms.
Dr Brian Bicknell CO-FOUNDER & SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR
BScience (USYD), PhD (UNSW)
Brian was formerly an Honorary Fellow of Faculty Health Sciences at ACU and a Visiting Research Fellow at Australasian Research Institute, San Hospital. Brian pioneered the fundamental research investigating the effect of light on the microbiome, both originally in mice models and recently in human models. Brian has co-published many research papers on Photobiomodulation and Photobiomics with Dr. Liebert.
Brian presented the first report of results of our Parkinson’s trials at the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE Photonics West) in San Francisco in February 2020. Brian is integrally involved in conducting the Parkinson's and Obesity trials for SYMBYX and in furthering the studies into the effect of light on the microbiome.
Prof Branko Celler ENGINEERING & REGULATORY ADVISOR
PhD (John Hopkins, UNSW)
Branko is an internationally recognised biomedical researcher with vast experience in developing biomedical devices for chronic disease management at home. He is widely regarded as a pioneer in the Australian telehealth industry. In addition to his distinguished academic career, Branko has managed several biomedical products through the regulatory process and on to international distribution.
Branko is also a Fellow of several Societies including the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and the IEEE, the world’s largest professional body. He has raised over $18 million from industry and nationally competitive grants.
Ann Ryan OPERATIONS MANAGER
BA Business Administration (Hochschule Wismar University)
Ann was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany and studied Business Administration majoring in Finance and Control. She consolidated her academic studies consulting to numerous European listed stock exchange companies before taking up management roles with several branded goods ventures.
Ann brings with her significant international experience in business administration and financial management as well as years of experience in customer relations. She’s an energetic and motivated member of the team with enthusiasm for non-invasive laser therapy and helping SYMBYX customers all over the world.
Elizabeth Butler Marketing and Communications Manager
Bachelor of Science (USYD)
Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, majoring in immunobiology and cell pathology. She has extensive experience in customer relations and trade operations across the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, and has recently specialised in providing specific support to allied health professionals, patients and a diverse range of business partners at SYMBYX.
Elizabeth is passionate about innovation, online brand management and contributing her skills within the fast pace environment of an innovative healthcare start-up.
Jacqueline Nguyen Business Efficiency Manager
BBusiness (UTS)
Jacqueline is a driven individual who holds a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). With an entrepreneurial spirit, she has previously worked in start-ups, gaining valuable experience in a fast-paced environment. Her ability to think outside the box allows her to approach challenges with unique solutions and always strive for success. In her free time, Jacqueline enjoys hiking and exploring new places.
Elizabeth is passionate about innovation, online brand management and contributing her skills within the fast pace environment of an innovative healthcare start-up.
Loekie Stevens Customer Care Representative
Loekie graduated in 1997 as a Mensendieck Posture and Movement Therapist at HvA Amsterdam. She had her own practice in the Netherlands for ten years before coming to Australia, where she used her experience and qualifications as a Return to Work Coordinator and as a Personal Trainer. Keeping her clients active and in optimal health. Her journey has landed her at SYMBYX as a Customer Care Representative where her background guides her in taking care of the clients of SYMBYX Biome.
Dilaksha Vasudevan Customer Care Representative
BBArts (UHH)
Dilaksha Vasudevan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media and Communication Sciences from the University of Hamburg and has spent several years working across social services and not-for-profit organisations in a variety of social media, customer service and operational roles. Lakshi is fluent in English, German and Tamil, and already supporting SYMBYX customers with all of their product and delivery questions online and by phone.
OUR CLINICIANS
Dr Katie MacRae Clinical Manager
BScHK (Hons), BChiroSc, MChiro
Katie is a qualified Chiropractor with a passion for natural health and an understanding of the current treatment limitations surrounding conditions such as Parkinsons Disease and Fibromyalgia, Katie leverages her clinical expertise to help patients optimise their clinical outcomes with the SYMBYX laser therapy.
She began her journey studying a Bachelor of Health Sciences with an Honours in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then completed a Bachelor degree in Chiropractic Science and a Master of Chiropractic at Macquarie University, Sydney. A published researcher, Katie has also won awards with her co-authored original research on improving chiropractic patient management outcomes in 2019.
Dr Michael Hobbs Clinical Services
BChiroSc, MChiro - (Macquarie)
Michael Hobbs is a corporate health consultant, healthcare clinic director and functional health coach. He completed his Masters of Chiropractic at Macquarie University, graduating as Dux and First in Clinical Studies, where he also received a scholarship to undertake further studies within the sports and biomedicine faculty at Leeds Beckett University in the UK. He is a published researcher, having presented at conferences around Australia about improving patient management outcomes through multidisciplinary care. He consults individuals and companies on functional health and wellness, and regularly teaches courses and workshops on movement, rehabilitation, pain science, embodiment, breathwork and lifestyle medicine.
Michael has worked extensively with Fibromyalgia, Parkinson's and other neuromusculoskeletal conditions, and brings his clinical expertise and depth of knowledge to the SYMBYX team. In his spare time, he is an ultra-marathon runner and published creative writer.
Sasha Baggaley Clinician
MCSP, HCPC
Sasha graduated from Northumbria University in 1988 with a BSc in Psychology, then from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh with a BSc in Physiotherapy in 1998. Sasha spent 20 years working in the NHS where she specialised in neurology and elderly rehabilitation, and developed a particular interest in Parkinson’s Disease. She left the NHS in 2015 to set up her own practice, working predominantly with people with Parkinson’s Disease. She also provides exercise classes for her local branch of Parkinson’s UK, having trained in well-known PD therapies and programs (such as PD Warriors and Lee Silverman Voice Technique). It is her passion to open up more opportunities for people with Parkinson’s to access the care they need, and on this basis Sasha is delighted to be part of the SYMBYX team. Sasha has a keen interest in exercise generally and loves to spend her free time outdoors.
Research
There are currently 4,000 + peer-reviewed scientific studies reporting on the incident-free, protective and restorative properties of light therapy for a number of health conditions.
Home Use
SYMBYX’s medical-grade PDCare laser is flexible, compact and easy to use at home device. A non-surgical and non-thermal treatment.
Benefits
Positive changes include motor improvements, better sleep, lightened mood, reduced muscle pain and even returned sense of smell.
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