Glycomics Week is an annual celebration at the Institute

The Institute for Glycomics established its annual Glycomics Week during the Institute’s 10th anniversary in 2010. It is celebrated annually and the aims of the event-filled week are to:

  • celebrate the Institute’s growing significant research successes, and the impact this research has in the world of infectious disease, cancer, vaccine and drug discovery
  • acknowledge the invaluable assistance from the Institute’s local, national and international friends, donors and supporters
  • continue to develop new engagements with local schools, companies and the community.

Glycomics Week encompasses the following important presentations and events:

Glycomics Public Forum

As the name suggests, the Glycomics Public Forum is an annual forum held at the Institute for Glycomics which is open to the public to attend. The evening event includes a panel of experts from various fields that link back to the study of glycomics and its relevance to cancer and infectious diseases research.

Each year brings a new panel of experts discussing a new topic of conversation which has current relevance. The panel of experts' discussions are easy to understand, making this event suitable for anyone to attend, even if they do not come from a science background.

Guests are invited to ask the panel of experts questions and after the event enjoy some light canapes and refreshments, with the opportunity to meet the panel and our research scientists. The Glycomics Public Forum is always very popular and we invite you to join us for the next one.

Glycomics Student Forum

The Glycomics Student Forum is an annual, student-organised event which provides our postgraduates with an opportunity to present their hard earned research accomplishments to the wider Institute and community and hone their presentation skills in preparation for future conferences.

The Glycomics Student Forum additionally offers us all an ideal environment to learn about the efforts of our peers and welcome new faces, promoting growth of our Institute both professionally and socially.

Each year, we invite external suppliers/companies to sponsor this event and in return provide them with the opportunity to hold a Trade Display within the Institute for the duration of the day. If you are interested in being involved, please get in touch with us.

The Institute for Glycomics Grand Ball

We fittingly end Glycomics Week with an annual black-tie gala ball. Want to find out more?

The Peter Gallagher Memorial Glycomics Award

In memory of Peter Gallagher, every year at the Glycomics Public Forum an internationally renowned researcher in the field of glycoscience is presented with the Peter Gallagher Memorial Glycomics Award in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the field.

Peter Gallagher was a well-known personality of the Gold Coast community and the Australian Rugby League football fraternity. He was born in Townsville and first represented Queensland in rugby league at age 25 in 1962. He went on to represent Australia and captain the Kangaroos over the following decade. In retirement he was heavily involved in the Queensland Racing Industry. He was Vice Chairman of the Gold Coast Turf Club for ten years and then Chairman for a further five years. He was a driving force behind the Magic Millions Racing Carnival which is held annually on the Gold Coast.

Peter succumbed to cancer in 2004, aged 66. In February 2008, Gallagher was named in the list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players (1908–2007) which was commissioned by the NRL and ARL to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia.

Peter Gallagher was a member of the Institute’s Fundraising Taskforce for a number of years and was very enthusiastic in his support of the Institute and its research. When Peter passed away his family decided to set up the Peter Gallagher Memorial Fund to assist the Institute in its endeavours to combat debilitating diseases such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes and brain disorders as well as infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, rotavirus and avian influenza.

Pictured: 2023 Peter Gallagher Memorial Glycomics Award winner, Professor Todd Lowary, with Peter Gallagher's daughter, Susan.

Want to get involved in Glycomics Week?

Get in touch with the Institute for Glycomics