Our Team

The Bionic Vision Technologies Senior Leadership Team

Bionic Vision Technologies has a dedicated and highly experienced team of professionals leading the development & implementation of our overall strategic growth agenda. The leadership team of Bionic Vision Technologies is responsible for business operations including product development, regulatory and commercialization.

Ash Attia

Chief Executive Officer

Ash Attia, PhD, FAICD  Ash has more than 30 years of senior executive management experience in implantable devices and biotechnology. Prior to BVT, Ash held the position of Vice President Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Israel, at TransMedics Inc. Ash also held Vice President and Managing Director roles within several other major Australian and International medtech organizations such as Thoratec, St Jude Medical, Micromed, Syncardia, Ventracor, Biotronik, SulzerMedica and Telectronics. Ash has extensive experience in medical technology commercialization, general management, research and development, marketing, market entry strategies, regulatory and reimbursement across multiple geographies (USA, Asia Pacific and Europe). He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has extensive governance experience being a Non-Executive Director on the board of ASX-listed Company DorsaVi for over 10 years.

Qualifications

BSc (E.Eng/Med Eng with Honors)
MSc (Med. Eng)
PhD (Med. Sc)
FAICD

 

Jul 2019 – present

  • 30+ years of senior executive management experience in implantable devices and biotechnology.
  • Vice President and Managing Director roles with global medical devices organizations including TransMedics, St. Jude Medical, Thoratec, Syncardia,Ventarcor, Biotronik, SulzerMedica, and Telectronics/Nucleus Group.
  • Extensive experience in Class III medical devices commercialization including market entry strategies, R&D, Clinical, Regulatory, Reimbursement, General Management and Global Expansion.

Adrian Oates

Chief Operating Officer

Adrian Oates, PhD  Adrian joined BVT in March 2019 as Chief Operating Officer. Adrian has more than 25 years of senior executive experience in the medical device, in-vitro diagnostic, biological and pharmaceutical health care industries at major companies including Cochlear and CSL Behring.

Qualifications

BSc (Biochemistry/ Microbiology)
MSc (Biochemistry)
PhD (Medicine)

Mar 2019 – present

  • 25+ years experience of leadership roles in the medical device, in-vitro diagnostic, biological and pharmaceutical health care industries.
  • Vice President and Director level roles at global companies including Cochlear, CSL Behring and Universal Biosensors.
  • Extensive experience across quality, regulatory, clinical & operations in highly regulated environments including Class III implantable medical devices
Profile picture of Sam Stefopoulos

Sam Stefopoulos

Director (R&D) Hardware and Technology

Sam Stefopoulos has over 7 years of experience developing and commercializing implantable medical devices. Before moving to BVT, Sam worked at Cochlear where he most recently held a senior position in the systems engineering team, working on both implants and externals.

Qualifications

BEng (R&D), Electronics & Telecommunications (1st class Honors, University Medal)
BSc (Mathematics, Physics)

May 2019 – present

  • 7+ years of experience developing and commercializing implantable medical devices
  • Led the development of a clinical product to commercial release and led a next-generation implant system to the late stages of the development process.
  • Previously worked on detection algorithms in military radar applications and performed research projects in signal processing
Profile picture of Xerxes Battiwalla

Xerxes Battiwalla

Director (R&D) Software and Artificial Intelligence

Xerxes Battiwalla brings more than 20 years of experience building and commercializing computer and embedded systems software. Prior to joining BVT, Xerxes held several senior roles at Cochlear, where he had over 10 years of experience developing and commercializing software for medical devices.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Honors)

May 2019 – present

  • 20+ years of experience building and commercializing computer and embedded systems software including an expertise in cybersecurity
  • Previously held senior management, product development, and engineering roles at Cochlear developing and commercializing software for medical devices
  • Inventor on two US patents for cybersecurity in implantable medical systems, and for clinical outcomes in medical device systems.

The Bionic Vision Technologies Board of Directors

The Board of Bionic Vision Technologies is responsible for oversight of the management of the company and providing strategic direction. The members of the Board have a great depth of experience in commercialization of medical technologies and corporate finance.

Ergad Gold

Chairman

Ergad Gold, PhD  Ergad Gold is a Principal and Director of the Momentum venture capital group and has many years’ experience in product development and commercialisation spanning a wide range of technologies. He has worked extensively in industry, government and academia and for six years operated his own consulting practice specialising in technology management. Within the Momentum portfolio, Ergad is currently a Director of CR-X Pty Ltd and Retriever Communications Pty Ltd. He was formerly a Director of EnGeneIC Ltd, Panviva Pty Ltd and Biovend Pty Ltd. He is also a Director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Polymers and also serves on commercialisation advisory committees at the Florey Neurosciences Institute and the Bionics Institute.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons)
PhD

Ash Attia

Chief Executive Officer

Ash Attia, PhD, FAICD  Ash Attia has over 30 years of senior executive management experience in implantable devices and biotechnology. Prior to BVT, Ash held the position of Vice President Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Israel, at TransMedics Inc. Ash also held Vice President and Managing Director roles within several other major Australian and International medtech organizations such as Thoratec, St Jude Medical, Micromed, Syncardia, Ventracor, Biotronik, SulzerMedica and Telectronics. Ash has extensive experience in medical technology commercialization, general management, research and development, marketing, market entry strategies, regulatory and reimbursement across multiple geographies (USA, Asia Pacific and Europe). He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has extensive governance experience being a Non-Executive Director on the board of ASX-listed Company DorsaVi for over 10 years.

Qualifications

BSc (E.Eng/Med Eng with Honors)
MSc (Med. Eng)
PhD (Med. Sc)
FAICD

Alan Kwan

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Alan Kwan is the Executive Director of State Path Capital.
Mr. Kwan obtained a bachelor degree in Science from Victoria University in Australia in May 1998, a master degree in Health Science from Victoria University in October 2000 and a graduate diploma in Law and Legal Studies from La Trobe University in October 2004. Mr. Kwan is an entrepreneur with interests across multiple industries.
Dianne Angus

Dianne Angus

Non-Executive Director

Dianne has worked as a senior executive within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, agritech, medical device and healthcare sectors for over twenty years and currently serves as non-executive director with Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: NEU) and Imagion Biosystems (ASX: IBX). She has built competitive and differentiated product portfolios, from investment in innovative research and product development to commercialisation and market entry. Dianne has created many global industry partnerships to accelerate asset development, attract financing and provide reputational validation & endorsement. With eighteen years’ experience in ASX and NASDAQ listed companies, Dianne has expertise in corporate governance, capital raising and stakeholder engagement within the listed capital market sector. Dianne is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a registered patent & trademark attorney.

Qualifications

B.Sc. Hons. (Zoology/Genetics)
M. Biotechnology (Chem Eng.)
Grad Dip. IP Law

Stuart Grimshaw

Stuart Grimshaw

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Grimshaw has a long and distinguished career in financial services. His most recent role was with Nadaq listed EZCORP which he joined in November 2014 as Executive Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors. Shortly thereafter he became Chief Executive Officer, remaining on the Board, taking control of the operational business, in February 2015. Prior to joining EZCORP, he was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ), a consumer banking and financial services institution with branches in every Australian state and territory taking them from a $1.2Bn market capitalization in 2012 to $4.3Bn in 2014. During his 30-year career in financial services, Mr. Grimshaw held a wide variety of other roles at various banking and finance companies. From 2009 to 2011, he was Chief Executive Officer of Caledonia Investments Pty Ltd. Prior to that, Mr. Grimshaw spent eight years at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where he served as Group Executive, Premium Business Services (2006 to 2009), Group Executive, Wealth Management (2002 to 2006) and Chief Financial Officer (2001 to 2002). From 1991 to 2001, Mr. Grimshaw held a variety of roles at National Australia Bank (including Chief Executive Officer – Great Britain, and other executive roles in Credit, Institutional Banking, Corporate Financial Services and Global Business Financial Services). Mr. Grimshaw began his career at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (1983 to 1991). Mr. Grimshaw represented New Zealand in Field Hockey at the 1984 Olympics and has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand and an MBA from Melbourne University. He has also completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School. Mr. Grimshaw also served as non-executive chairman of the board of directors of Cash Converters International Limited.

Qualifications

B. Commerce and Administration
MBA

Rajiv Cabraal

Rajiv Cabraal

Non-Executive Director

Rajiv Cabraal is a Commercialisation Manager at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), with a focus on commercialising CSIRO’s digital and deep-tech research, and helping to translate research results from the lab into products & services that deliver real world benefits. Rajiv works with researchers, investors, and other partners to develop and create new opportunities for start-ups, licenses, and other collaborative ventures. Rajiv has over 20 years of commercial, legal, and leadership experience and was previously the Commercialisation, Legal & IP Director for CSIRO’s Data61. Rajiv has been recognised as one of Australia’s leading technology lawyers, and regularly speaks and mentors others on innovation, commercialisation, and digital disruption. 

Qualifications

B.App.Sc. (Biology)
LLB
LLM
Grad.Dip. Legal Practice
MAICD
Adam Legg

Adam Legg

Company Secretary

Adam is an accredited senior finance executive with over 20 years’ experience in all areas of financial stewardship and corporate governance of Australian, USA, European and UK listed and private companies as a Chief Financial Officer, Director and Company Secretary.
Adam has worked in extremely dynamic environments across many industry sectors, particularly in technologies, professional services, biotech/health, financial services and manufacturing. He has broad specialist knowledge in the provision of timely and accurate company secretarial and financial services including risk management. Also, in supporting CEO’s and Boards in the governance of companies public and private.
He currently supports a variety of entities with financial and governance services and holds several directorships across a wide range of industries.

Qualifications

B.Bus Acc
MBA
CPA

The Bionic Vision Technologies Medical Advisory Board

Our Global Medical Advisory Board provides clinical expertise to effectively guide, represent and advance patient care standards, and innovations for the development of retinal implants.

Penny Allen, M.D.

Penny Allen, M.D.

Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), Australia

Dr. Penelope Allen leads the bionic eye research at CERA. Her team has developed a next- generation bionic eye implant using animal models e.g. cats and rabbits for surgery trials and it has now been implanted in four patients. It offers the patients the possibility of using the device at home and creates a sense of sight. Professor Allen is also involved in several clinical trials for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and macular telangiectasia including the insertion of a device to slow progression of this condition.

Dr. Allen’s other area of expertise is in the epidemiology / management of severe eye infections in the clinical setting, this includes a database of these severe infections and the use of this to develop protocols for management and improve outcomes. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and is a member of The American Academy of Ophthalmology, Oceania Retinal Association, RANZCO and ARVO.

Dr. Allen has won several awards including FRANZCO – Fellow of the Royal Australasian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology, FRACOPHTH – Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists, and FRACS – Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

David Boyer, M.D.

David Boyer, M.D.

Retina-Vitreous Associates, USA

David S. Boyer, M.D. is a Board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in the treatment of diseases of the retina and vitreous. He is Senior Partner at Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group with offices in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, North Hollywood, Torrance, Pasadena and Tarzana, California. Dr. Boyer is an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology with the University of Southern California/Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles, CA.

Dr. Boyer has an extensive research background and is currently an investigator for various clinical trials. He is one of the leading retinal clinical researchers in the country for new treatments in macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. He is currently a leading investigator for various national clinical trials on retinal diseases and serves as an advisor for multiple research, educational and charitable institutions.

A widely-published author and avid lecturer, Dr. Boyer lectures nationally and internationally on retinal research and the innovative approach to the treatment of retinal diseases.

Ninel Grigori, M.D.

Nell (Ninel) Gregori, M.D.

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, USA

Dr. Gregori is a Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Chief of Ophthalmology Section at Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. She specializes in Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery, Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Macular Diseases and Dystrophies, Retinal Diseases and Dystrophies, Complications of Cataract Surgery, Intraocular lens implant dislocation, Argus II Retinal Prosthesis, and Gene Therapy. She has served as a leading surgeon in multiple gene therapy and retinal prostheses clinical trials.

Dr. Gregori is also a current member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Retina Society, the Macula Society, the American Society of Retina Specialists, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and the Association of Veterans Affairs Ophthalmologists. She is well published with over 70 peer-reviewed publications and has delivered over 100 peer-reviewed presentations at various major ophthalmology conferences in the USA and abroad, including numerous surgical papers and talks.

Dr. Gregori recently received a Certificate of Appreciation for her service from the American Board of Ophthalmology, an Achievement Awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and a Senior Honor Award from the American Society of Retina Specialists. In the past, she also received the Michael R. Redmond, MD Outstanding Young Ophthalmologist Award from the Florida Society of Ophthalmology. This annual award recognizes a Florida-based ophthalmologist under the age of 40 who has demonstrated organizational leadership, service, competence and devotion to the high ethical and professional standards.

Jeffrey S. Heier, M.D.

Jeffrey S. Heier, M.D.

Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, USA

Jeffrey S Heier, MD, is the Director of the Vitreoretinal Service and Director of Retina Research at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston (OCB), one of the largest multi-specialty ophthalmology practices in the United States. Dr. Heier served as Co-President & Medical Director from 2016-2020.

Dr. Heier received his medical degree from Boston University, completed an internship and residency at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, and vitreoretinal fellowship at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston/Tufts School of Medicine. He served as a physician in a Combat Support Hospital in the Persian Gulf War, where he was awarded a Bronze Star.

Dr. Heier is on the Executive Board of the Retina Society and the Executive Committee of the American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Heier is one of the leading retinal clinical researchers in the country for new treatments in exudative and non-exudative macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, venous occlusive disease, vitreoretinal surgical techniques and instrumentation, and diagnostic imaging of the retina.

Dr. Heier serves as the Chair of multiple scientific advisory boards and steering committees, including phase 3 programs for pegcetocoplan, elamipritide, and avacincapted for dry AMD. These programs could bring a much-needed treatment for this devastating disease. Dr Heier is a scientific advisor to many companies, devoted to the development of innovative treatments from the earliest stages of development through presentation to FDA panels. He lectures nationally and internationally, and has authored over 140 peer-reviewed works.

Frank Holz, M.D.

Frank Holz, M.D.

University of Bonn, Germany

Frank G. Holz is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Bonn, Germany. His main research interests include the pathogenesis, biomarkers and new therapies for macular and retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular diseases and macular telangiectasia. His major clinical interest is medical and surgical retina. He has a keen interest in innovative retinal imaging technologies and image analysis strategies.

He was a scholar of the German National Academic Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes), trained at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and the University of Chicago/Pritzker School of Medicine, and passed a fellowhip at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, with Prof. Alan C. Bird. Professor Holz has been a cofounder of the Priority Program AMD of the German Research Council (DFG) and founded the GRADE Reading Center Bonn to perform digital image analysis in multicentre clinical natural history and interventional trials, and is project lead of the Macustar study funded by the IMI2 EU program.

He is a Board Member of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG), and EURETINA, Member of the Club Jules Gonin, the European Academy of Ophthalmology (EAO), the Macula Society, the Gass Club, Editor-in-Chief of Der Ophthalmologe, and serves a reviewer for many peer reviewed journals.

He has received numerous awards including the Pro Retina Macular Degeneration Research Award, the Leonhard-Klein Award for Ocular Surgery, the Alcon Research Institute (ARI) Award, the Senior Achievement Award of the AAO and the Jules Gonin Award. He published more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed journals and is editor of several books on retinal diseases.

Peter K Kaiser, M.D.

Peter K. Kaiser, M.D.

Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, USA

Peter K. Kaiser, M.D. graduated magna cum laude with Highest Honors from Harvard College and magna cum laude from Harvard Medical School. He completed an internal medicine internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, an ophthalmology residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and a vitreoretinal fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute where he was awarded a Heed Ophthalmic Fellowship , before joining the vitreoretinal department of the Cole Eye Institute at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio where he is the Chaney Family Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology Research and Professor of Ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine.

As a National Eye Institute and National Institute of Health RO1-funded principal investigator, Dr. Kaiser leads a team involved in the evaluation of vascular biology in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

He is a major contributor to the medical literature having authored 7 textbooks, 30 book chapters, and more than 400 peer-reviewed manuscripts. He is Editor-in-Chief of Retinal Physician, Associate Editor of International Ophthalmology Clinics, and serves on the editorial boards of American Journal of Ophthalmology, Retina, Retina Today, and Ocular Surgery News. Dr. Kaiser has been recognized by American Society of Retina Specialists Honor and Senior Honor Awards, along with the American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement, Senior Achievement, and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

David T. Tse, M.D.

David T. Tse, M.D.

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, USA

Dr. Tse is an Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery specialist and a Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice-Chair of Administration and Strategic Planning in the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. His expertise is in lacrimal, eyelid and orbital reconstructive surgery, aesthetic and rejuvenation surgery, orbital oncology, thyroid-related eye conditions, optic nerve disorders, and developmental defects in children.

Dr. Tse has an impressive track record of translating research discoveries into innovative clinical solutions, especially for orbital cancers and children with congenital anomalies, e.g., he developed an inflatable orbital tissue expander for children born without an eye that eliminates the need for repeated surgeries to stimulate bone growth. Dr. Tse is the author of the “Color Atlas of Ophthalmic Surgery: Oculoplastic Surgery,” atlas and has more than 140 peer-reviewed articles, 75 book chapters, in addition to five patents for his medical and surgical inventions.

A member of the Iron Arrow Society, the highest honor awarded at the University of Miami, and a member of the Doheny Society of Scholars, Dr. Tse also received the El-Magraby International Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Trustee Award, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the USC/Doheny Distinguished Alumnus Award, where he completed his residency. Tse also has served as a director of the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the Editorial Board for the American Journal of Ophthalmology and the Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is a member of several major ophthalmologic professional societies, including the American Ophthalmological Society.

Charles Wykoff M.D., PhD

Charles Wykoff M.D., PhD

Retina Consultants of Houston, USA

Dr. Charles Wykoff is Director of the Retina Consultants of Texas Research Centers; Chairman of the Research and Clinical Trials Committee, Retina Consultants of America; and Deputy Chair of Ophthalmology for the Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital.

He received his baccalaureate from MIT, PhD from Oxford University while on a Marshall Scholarship, and MD from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wykoff completed ophthalmology residency and vitreoretinal fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute where he served as Chief Resident/Co-Director of Ocular Trauma and received a Heed Fellowship and the Ronald G. Michels Award.

Dr. Wykoff is passionate about translational research and clinical trial design, and serves as principal investigator for numerous clinical trials. He has published nearly 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts and frequently speaks at national and international academic meetings. He serves on multiple scientific and medical advisory boards, safety monitoring committees, and global steering committees for retina endeavors spanning the innovative process from early to late stage developments.

He is President (2021-2023) of the Vit-Buckle Society and serves on the ASRS Board of Directors. He is also a founding member of the Ophthalmology Retina Editorial Board and an elected member of the Retina Society and Macula Society. He has been awarded multiple Achievement and Honor Awards along with the ASRS Young Investigator and the AAO Secretariat Awards.