Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick is pleased to announce three new professionals – welcome to the team Carla, Matthew and James.
Carla recently joined our Melbourne office as an associate in the Electronics, Physics and IT team.
Carla is an engineer with over 10 years’ experience in IP. Her technical expertise and interests include microfluidics, microelectrical mechanical systems (MEMS), nanotechnology, renewable energy technologies and medical devices.
Carla says, ‘Having worked in intellectual property for over 10 years, I am excited to join such a client-focused and commercially minded firm.’
In 2013, Carla was the youngest member elected to the Board of Engineers Australia. She is a very active member of Engineers Australia and presently sits on the Victorian division committee.
In addition to IP, Carla is passionate about all things dance. With almost 20 years of training she continues to enjoy classical ballet dancing. Carla also enjoys bushwalking and travelling.
Matthew Overett, PhD
Trainee Patent Attorney
Matthew recently joined our Melbourne office as a trainee patent attorney in the Chemistry and Life Sciences team.
Prior to joining POF, Matthew acquired more than a decade of R&D experience in the chemicals industry, covering homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, polymer science and rheology, organic and organometallic synthesis, process scale-up and piloting, commercialisation and process support.
Matthew completed his undergraduate studies and PhD at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. His PhD research involved the synthesis of new homogeneous catalyst systems for the
oligomerisation of ethylene.
Matthew says, ‘Having worked in industrial R&D, I have seen the value that a focused portfolio of patents adds when commercialising new technologies. I am thus delighted to be working at POF, helping clients to protect the IP arising from their endeavours.’
In his spare time, Matthew enjoys travelling, cooking and racket sports, as well as being in the great outdoors, preferably trekking in the mountains.
James Burnley, PhD
Trainee Patent Attorney
James recently joined our Melbourne office as a trainee patent attorney in the Chemistry and Life Sciences team.
Prior to joining POF, James completed over ten years of research experience working in both industrial and academic settings. His diverse postdoctoral work at Monash University included total synthesis of the tricyclic marine alkaloids (-)-lepadiformine and (-)-fasicularin, and the design and synthesis of novel cyclic-alkynylpeptide analogues which have potential for use as non-opioid analgesics.
While completing his MSci, he undertook projects at both AstraZeneca and Pfizer working on antileukemic compounds of interest and flow technology respectively.
James says, ‘It is very exciting to be involved in an industry that is vital to the commercialisation and development of novel ideas, and to be working at a company that is held in such high esteem like POF.’
James’ interests include playing soccer, guitar and watching cricket. Since moving to Australia he has been trying to understand AFL rules in order to support his adoptive team, the Hawks.