Bionics Gamechangers Australia

11/03/2026

07/11/2024

: Great to see coverage of our 2024 MAIC Qld Student Bionics Innovation Challenge continue, with prize winners Vaheh Nazari and Alastair Quinn in the studio with ABC Brisbane Katherine Feeney last week.

For Vaheh and his RehabExo team inventing a new Superhero exosuit to assist children with mobility, Bionics Gamechangers Australia’s mentoring program and cash prize will help to take further steps to fast track a lifechanging innovation to market: "...no matter how great this technology is, [we need to know] how we can [take this innovation] to the market." Check out the interview below!

https://youtu.be/F-kVrKbBg6M

05/11/2024

: It was great to have 9 News Queensland with us last week as we announced the winners of the 2024 MAIC Qld Student Bionics Innovation Challenge! Check out this clip which includes an interview with Brisbane PhD candidate, Vaheh Nazari whose RehabExo team was awarded $10,000 towards their novel superhero suit for children with movement difficulties.

Head to our website to hear more about this exciting project: https://www.bionicsgamechangers.com.au/bionics-challenge/student-bionics-challenge/

31/10/2024

Our winners have been announced!

We are thrilled to partner with the Motor Accident Insurance Commission through the 2024 MAIC Qld Student Bionics Innovation Challenge to fund two outstanding team projects, in a competitive field of finalists.

The Challenge has awarded $15,000 in cash prizes to help change the lives of those impacted by road trauma, related disabilities and chronic disease by fast-tracking medical bionics.

A futuristic superhero suit to help children unable to walk become mobile has taken out first prize, with the second prize-winning team behind a real-time spinal cord electrical stimulation rehabilitation device.

Prize winners will also now receive bespoke mentoring from Bionics Gamechangers Australia to help progress their life-changing innovations to market.

Click below to watch Insurance Commissioner, Neil Singleton as he announces the winning teams, and speaks to the renewed hope offered to Australians living with road trauma thanks to these bright young innovators - https://youtu.be/53hsbdSuJjQ

29/10/2024

29/10/2024

NeuRA is proud to announce that two researchers from NeuRA and UNSW Sydney have been awarded $5.9 million in funding from the Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Grants to improve care for diverse, disadvantaged and vulnerable older Australians.

Scientia Professor Kaarin Anstey, Senior Principal Research Scientist at NeuRA and UNSW Science, School of Psychology, has received $3 million to launch CogCoach-Brain, a project aimed at delaying or preventing in older adults who are already experiencing cognitive symptoms.

Professor Kim Delbaere, Senior Principal Research Scientist at NeuRA and UNSW Medicine & Health, School of Population Health, has been awarded $2.9 million to develop and test StandingTall-Rehab, a digital exercise program aimed at helping older adults recover more effectively after injury or illness.

Professor Matthew Kiernan, CEO and Institute Director of NeuRA, extended his congratulations: “This is an outstanding outcome for Professors Anstey and Delbaere. Their success acknowledges the dedication of our researchers in advancing translational research that directly improves health outcomes for the community and highlights our strength in leading Australian medical research focused on healthy .”

Full announcement here: https://neura.edu.au/news-media/researcher-news/neura-secures-5-9m-in-mrff-dementia-ageing-and-aged-care-grant-funding

29/10/2024

In a highly competitive field of entries, Bionics Gamechangers Australia is delighted to announce the winner of the 2024 MAIC Qld Student Bionics Innovation Challenge!

Congratulations to PhD candidate, Vaheh Nazari and his RehabExo team who have been awarded $10,000 to help fast-track the development of a novel superhero suit, combining mechanical support and electrical stimulation to improve ambulatory function in children with movement difficulties.

Learn more about this outstanding project: https://www.bionicsgamechangers.com.au/bionics-challenge/student-bionics-challenge/.

The team will now go on to further learn how to accelerate their innovation via our Mentoring and Commercialisation Training Program.

Special thanks to Motor Accident Insurance Commission Qld for their invaluable ongoing support of the Student Bionics Innovation Challenge, helping to improve recovery for road accident survivors.

29/10/2024

The Second Prize Winner of the 2024 MAIC Qld Student Bionics Innovation Challenge has been announced!

Congratulations to Matthew Hambly and Alastair Quinn (PhD candidates, University), who have been awarded $5,000 towards the development of their next-generation spinal cord injury rehabilitation device for precise control of functional electrical stimulation during therapy.

Learn more about this exciting student-led project: https://www.bionicsgamechangers.com.au/bionics-challenge/student-bionics-challenge/.

Matthew and Alastair will join other 2024 winners to participate in our bespoke Mentoring and Commercialisation Training Program to help fast-track their project.

We extend our sincere thanks again to Motor Accident Insurance Commission Qld for their invaluable ongoing support, and the value placed on changing the lives of those impacted by road trauma, related disabilities and chronic disease by accelerating medical bionics.

09/09/2024

One week to go! Could you be the next winner of the Motor Accident Insurance Commission Qld Student Bionics Innovation Challenge? This is your chance to win the $10k first prize of a total $15k in cash prizes, customised mentoring & ‘must-have’ networking opportunities.

“From the mentoring and teaching, to networking with like-minded peers and industry members – the Challenge provides a great snapshot into the world of medical device start-ups and an opportunity to focus on the key skills needed to bring your ideas to fruition.” – Dale Neville, whose team won first prize for an innovative assisted cough device for people with spinal injury.

All Queensland university students with a ‘new to the world’ idea, or innovation that’s helping to improve a bionic device, implant or treatment, are encouraged to apply.

Entries must close Monday, 16 September 2024. Head to our website to get inspired by more past winners and submit your application now! www.bionicsgamechangers.com/bionics-challenge/student-bionics-challenge/

05/09/2024

The deadline is fast approaching to enter the Motor Accident Insurance Commission Qld Student Bionics Innovation Challenge! Get ready to take your game-changing, early-stage innovation to the next level.

Are you:
✓ A Queensland university student (at any level, from undergraduate through to PhD)
✓ Have a ‘new to the world’ idea, or innovation helping to improve a bionic device, implant or treatment
✓ Ready to win $10k of a total $15k in cash prizes, customised mentoring, ‘must-have’ networking opportunities and more!

Entries close Monday, 16 September 2024. Head to our website to get inspired by past winners and submit your application now! www.bionicsgamechangers.com/bionics-challenge/student-bionics-challenge/