Steven Zammit

After completion of my undergraduate studies I was inspired to enroll in a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, synthesizing natural products.

I enrolled for a BSc/BChemEng at the University of Melbourne in 1994, majoring in organic chemistry. After completion of my undergraduate studies I was inspired to enroll in a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, synthesizing natural products. I learnt a wide range of exciting and intricate laboratory techniques.

Following completion of my PhD I was employed at the University of Melbourne at a postdoctoral level as a medicinal chemist, working for Spencer Williams and Darren Kelly. I was involved in structure activity studies, collaborating with biologists to synthesize a library of compounds for the potential treatment of fibrotic disorders including diabetic nephropathy. This work was very interesting and was commercialized and patented, and provided the basis for the start-up company, Fibrotech Therapeutics.

Through this work I gained an insight into the world of Intellectual Property, and I then secured a position at a top tier firm specializing in Intellectual Property, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, located in the Melbourne CBD. This period represented a steep learning curve for me. I enrolled part-time for a Masters of Intellectual Property Law at the University of Melbourne, whilst working full-time as a trainee patent attorney. I was involved in the prosecution of many weird and wonderful inventions and was constantly amazed by the ingenuity of scientists. I worked in this role for 3 years after which I joined IP Australia to work as a patent examiner where I have been employed for nearly 3 years. I am currently acting in the role of Senior Examiner, where I manage a team of 6 Patent Examiners in a mixed chemistry technology team. My team examines a variety of patent applications across the chemistry spectrum and decides on matters pertaining to their validity. Being an interesting mix of science and law with an investigative element, I utilize my qualifications and stay in touch with the latest developments in my field. Even though the head office is in Canberra I work from Melbourne and enjoy great working conditions in a friendly and supportive environment.