Johnson, Dan

Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District, Australia

Professor Dan Johnson is Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise at Macquarie University. Ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world, Macquarie University conducts world class research and education across a range of STEM and HASS subjects, operates its own University Hospital and is the university partner in the 6.8km2 Macquarie Park Innovation District, one of Australia’s most significant innovation precincts by tenant revenue, employment and the volume of intellectual property registrations. The PVC Research, Innovation and Enterprise provides strategic and operational leadership on all matters relating to research and development, consultancy, innovation, translation, commercialisation, entrepreneurship, start-up company incubation and corporate partnerships.

Professor Johnson has worked in research and development, technology transfer, and innovation for nearly 20 years, primarily in the not-for-profit sector. He has helped raise more than $600 million for research institutes, start-up companies and venture capital firms and has been directly involved in establishing more than 20 start-up companies, including his own biotech business, a result of his doctoral research outcomes.

A passionate and lifelong learner, Professor Johnson holds a PhD in chemistry and an MBA majoring in strategy and finance. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, as well as in the popular and trade press. He has undertaken executive education at Harvard Business School, INSEAD, IESE Business School, Oxford Said Business School and IMD, and is a Registered Technology Transfer Professional.

Prior to joining Macquarie University in 2020, Professor Johnson was Managing Director of the Australian Wine Research Institute from 2011-2020.