Management Team

Harnessing global expertise in the creation of a cell-based therapeutics business.

Dr Paul Tan, Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Tan has had wide experience on all aspects of assessment and selection of products for commercialisation, expansion of intellectual property, product development and managing critical paths, timelines and establishing and managing international partnership.

Dr Tan was previously Chief Executive Officer of CenTec Ltd and founding Deputy Director and Head of Health Division at Genesis Research & Development Corporation Limited. Dr Tan has been research fellow, associate professor in immunology and a physician rheumatologist and worked in Canada, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand. He holds patents relating to the therapeutic uses of microbial products. He is also a member of the Management Committee of the Auckland branch of the biotechnology organisation NZBio.

Professor Robert Bartlett Elliott, Medical Director

Professor Elliott trained as a Paediatrician at Adelaide University. He moved to New Zealand in 1970 to become the Foundation Professor, Department of Paediatrics at the University of Auckland.

Professor Elliott co-founded LCT. He is an Emeritus Professor of Child Health research, Professor of Paediatrics and a world leader in diabetes research. Professor Elliott is on the board of the New Zealand Child Health Foundation and the Wings Trust (a NZ trust for the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse). He is also patron of the NZ Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In 1999 he was awarded a CNZM (a Companion of the New Zealand order of merit) for services to the community.

Dr Olga Garkavenko, Divisional Manager, Advanced Cell Materials and Head of Virology

Dr Garkavenko specialises in strategic design of cell biology research using advanced molecular biology tests for cell growth and differentiation. Dr Garkavenko holds a master of science MS (honours) in biochemistry from Kiev State University and has a PhD in from the Ukrainian Academy of Science at the institute of Oncology (Kiev, Ukraine).

Nominated as International Scientist and International Health Professional for the year for 2004 by the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, Dr Garkavenko is a member of the Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand, American Society of Microbiology, International Transplantation Society and International Xenotransplantation Association. In 1987, as Head of the Biomedical Research Department at the International Humanitarian Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of the Chernobyl Disaster, Dr Garkavenko initiated research programmes focused on diagnostic immune deficiencies in children.

Dr Michele Tatnell, Product Quality Assurance

Dr Tatnell obtained her PhD in Biochemistry on insulin structure/function from London University. She has worked at the University of Auckland and Auckland Hospital. She is responsible for the certification of LCT's Good Manufacturing Practice plant and the quality of control of DIABECELL.

Dr Stephen Skinner, Divisional Manager, Neurosciences

Dr Skinner joined LCT from AgResearch, New Zealand and before that was in the Department of Paediatrics at Auckland University. He has spent several years in North America, at Harvard, Stanford and Toronto Universities and at Syntex Pharmaceuticals.

Mr John Cowan, Finance & Administration Manager

Mr Cowan has over 30 years experience in senior finance positions in publicly listed companies with international operations and public benefit entities. He was Head Finance & Facilities at Auckland War Memorial Museum, CFO at the University of Auckland, Company Secretary at Mair Astley Limited and held senior finance positions in the Goodman Fielder Wattie Group. He holds a BCA from Victoria University of Wellington and is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.