Professor Stephanie Watson is a clinician and innovator at the Sydney Eye, Prince of Wales, and Sydney Children’s Hospitals and the Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney. She leads a research program focused on innovative solutions to restore sight and promote eye health, and trains the next generation of eye care workers and researchers. Prof Watson is recognised internationally for her ground-breaking corneal therapies; including a world-first stem cell transplantation technique. She has over 150 publications and given 170 presentations nationally and internationally. Her career has been supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Television news, radio, web-based and print media have reported on her work, including the New York Times, BBC News, Insight, Catalyst and Qantas ‘inflight’ magazine.
As Chair of the Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia; Chair, Regenerative Medicine lead for Stem Cells Australia; ARVO Advocacy and Outreach Committee member for ARVO; Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists committee member; Editor, Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group UK; and the NSW representative, ANZ Corneal Society she contributes to policy development. Prof Watson was selected by the University of Sydney for the Chief Executive Women leaders programme and has completed the ARVO Leadership development programme for Women. Awards received include first prize on the Medical Device Commercialisation Training Program, Pride of Australia nomination, UNSW Early stage innovation award finalist, Gustav Nossal NHMRC scholarship - awarded to the highest ranked applicant, and the ‘Les is more’ grand final and people’s choice award on The New Inventors.