ABOUT IBC 2026
The International Bioactives Conference in 2026 is an activity of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia’s Bioactives (FAAB).
The International Bioactives Conference 2026, hosted at Macquarie University in Sydney, is Australia’s first national conference dedicated to advancing the bioactives sector.
Showcasing innovation across health, food, agriculture, and biotechnology, the conference brings together researchers, laboratories, industry leaders, policymakers, and funding agencies, to foster collaboration, investment, and knowledge exchange.
The conference is convened by a FAAB-led Organising Committee with the program overseen by the IBC 2026 Scientific Committee. Both committees can be contacted through conference secretariat on faab@mq.edu.au.
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Conference Scientific Committee
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Professor David Craik AO FRS FAA
David Craik is a Professor of Chemistry at The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience. He is internationally recognised for discovering cyclotides (ultra-stable plant peptides) and for advancing their application in drug design and sustainable agriculture. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Australian Academy of Science.
Dr Kornelia Kaczmarska
Kornelia Kaczmarska is a Research & Development Manager (Sustainability) at Hort Innovation, Australia’s grower-owned research and development organisation for the horticulture sector. With a background in food and flavour science, her work applies advanced analytical approaches, including metabolomics, to understand composition and sensory chemistry in protein-rich foods.
Associate Professor Alf Garcia-Bennett
Alf Garcia-Bennett is Research Director of FAAB. His research focuses on the design and application of nanoporous silica nanoparticles in pharmaceutical science and nanomedicine, with particular emphasis on nanoconfinement effects on active ingredients and how nanoparticle biomolecular coronas influence biological and immune interactions.
Professor Corinne Smith
Corinne Smith is a Professor in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick and Director of Warwick’s Advanced Bioimaging Research Technology Platform. Her research applies structural biology and biophysics to understand clathrin-mediated endocytosis, a fundamental cellular process underpinning uptake, trafficking, and pathogen entry.
Dr Fabrizio Camponovo
Fabrizio Camponovo is Head of Research and Development at SFI Health, a global natural healthcare company working in areas including microbiome and cognitive health. With 25 years of experience, he specialises in the development and commercialisation of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products, translating rigorous science into high quality natural health solutions.
Conference Organising Committee
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Chair, Professor Anwar Sunna, FAAB Director, Macquarie University
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Professor Alison Roger, FAAB Training Director, Australian National University
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Associate Professor Alf Garcia Bennett, FAAB Research Director, Macquarie University
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Frances Cook, Centre Manager, FAAB, Macquarie University
About FAAB
The ARC Training Centre, FAAB, is a national initiative accelerating the discovery, development, and commercialisation of bioactive compounds. FAAB unites leading universities and 14 industry partners to unlock the potential of natural sources, food waste, and cell-based technologies. Using advanced analytical, genomic, proteomic, and nanotechnology tools, FAAB drives innovation and trains the next generation of scientists to support the growth of Australia’s biotechnology sector.
