Dr Emma Ball is a biotechnology commercialization expert with over 20 years’ experience. Her current role is Head of Ecosystem Development across Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa (AMEA) at global genomics leader, Illumina (NASQAQ: ILMN).  The role involves strategic partnering with startups, corporates, governments and academia to catalyze innovation in genomics across the region.  Under that role Emma is also Entrepreneur in Residence for The Advanced Genomics Collaboration (TAGC) in partnership with Illumina and the University of Melbourne.  Previously, Emma was Head of Illumina for Startups for the region, part of Illumina’s global company creation engine.

Prior to joining Illumina in 2021, Emma was at biotherapeutics and vaccines company, CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) for 15 years, most recently as Global Head of Search & Evaluation and Director Strategy & BD.  Previous roles at CSL include corporate strategy, commercial development, R&D program management and alliance management.  Prior to joining CSL, Emma worked in project management in small biotech, both ASX-listed and private.

Beyond her role at Illumina, Emma is a Non-Executive Director.  She is a member of Life Sciences Council Member at Springboard Enterprises (SBE) Australia, the AusBiotech Victorian state committee and a number of angel investor syndicates.  

She trained initially as a molecular biologist and gained her PhD in medicine from the University of Melbourne, followed by postdoctoral studies in oncology and endocrinology at Monash University.  Emma holds an MBA from RMIT University, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Wade Institute’s Venture Capital Catalyst.

In 2022 Emma was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Leadership Award from BioMelbourne Network.