Updated on: 24 February 2022

Roles in: Eyes and Vision Group

1. In the past 36 months have you accepted the following from a commercial organisation with a financial interest in the broad topic area of the Group/Unit?

a) Support for attending meetings, including sabbaticals and study tours (this covers travel, accommodation and/or hospitality)?
No

b) Payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speaker bureaus, manuscript writing, or educational events?
Yes - I have personally received an honorarium ($1000) from Optometry Australia (the Australian national optometrist professional body) for presenting continuing professional development lectures on dry eye disease (2019), and from the British Contact Lens Association (250 pounds) in 2020 for presenting on the Contact Lens Evidence-Based Academic Reports (CLEAR).

c) Fees for organising education?
No

d) Grants and contracts?
Yes - My academic institution (University of Melbourne) has received payments for my research laboratory to undertake clinical research studies on dry eye disease (Alcon, Azura Ophthalmics), presbyopia (Kedalion Therapeutics, Novartis) and contact lens discomfort (CooperVision). The funding is used to fulfil contractual obligations between the industry entity and the University (i.e., to cover costs associated with the execution of the research project). Any intended use of these commercial funds undergoes a University approval process, involving Head of Department and/or Financial Managerial level approval(s).

e) Funds for a member of staff?
No

f) Fees for consulting?
Yes - My academic institution (University of Melbourne) has received payments for me to undertake research consulting for Medmont International (dry eye diagnostic) and Seqirus (dry eye therapeutic).

g) Royalty or licences payments?
No

h) Payment for expert testimony?
No

i) Payment for a fellowship?
No

j) Payment for participation on a Data Safety Monitoring Board, Advisory Board, or Guideline Panel?
No

k) Payment for a leadership or other fiduciary role in other board, society, committee, or advocacy group?
No

2. In the past 36 months have you, your spouse/partner or an immediate family member been employed by or do you or they own a commercial organization with a financial interest in the broad topic area of the Group/Unit?
No

3. Do you own stocks or shares in a commercial organization with a financial interest in the broad topic area of the Group/Unit?
No

4. Do you hold any patents (planned, issued or pending) for products relevant to the broad topic area of the Group/Unit?
Yes - I am listed as a co-inventor on 2 patents (1 for a method to identify dry eye disease, and 1 for a biomarker for contact lens discomfort), however the intellectual property (IP) for both is owned by my academic institution (University of Melbourne)

5. Do you have any other competing interests (financial or non-financial)?
No