Matthew Linden, Ph.D.

Matthew Linden, Ph.D.

I have been an active member of ISAC since 2012 where my initial involvement began due the various roles I held with the Australasian Cytometry Society (Councilor, Former President, Conference Chairperson), which is an ISAC Associated Society. I therefore understand the valuable role affiliated and local societies have in extending ISAC’s global reach and the mutually beneficial role ISAC can play promoting cytometry regionally.

I am a former ISAC Marylou Ingram Scholar (inducted 2016) and I have remained actively involved in the leadership of the Scholars program. As Chair of the Scholars Taskforce (2021 – 2022), I oversaw the selection process and championed new leadership initiatives, including “Scholars Hour” presentations and “Scholars Month” on social media. I served as Chair of the Membership Services Committee (2020 – 2021), leading the transformation of ISAC’s engagement with the global cytometry community, to build our new identity as an organisation emerging stronger out of a global pandemic, with the resources to survive and thrive. I served as Treasurer of the inaugural CYTO Asia meeting in 2017, delivering very positive financial outcomes for this first-of-its kind meeting without compromise to the objectives and quality of the event. I am extremely proud of this achievement and am strongly committed to championing future regional ISAC partnered meetings in this model. Currently I sit on the ISAC Meetings Committee, providing advice to Council on future opportunities for CYTO and other ISAC-partnered scientific meetings.

Outside of ISAC I lead the Discipline of Pathology and Laboratory Science at The University of Western Australia. This is a large and productive teaching and research department in a top 100 global university. In this role I lead a diverse group of academic and professional staff. My leadership approach is consultative, consensus based, and effective to ensure the team is well supported and all moving in the same direction.

My professional background spans academic and clinical cytometry, method innovation and validation, and leadership of SRL cytometry facilities. Thus, I have a very broad appreciation of the many aspects and priorities of ISAC members across the spectrum. In building my career I have benefitted from my involvement with ISAC, and I now feel I am at a point where I am ready and keen to extend my engagement and service to ISAC through an elected position on Council.

Vision Statement

ISAC is a special society for me. Involvement with ISAC has led to many enduring friendships, collaborations and opportunities over my career. Our shared interest in the technology and commitment to the goal of advancing the quantitative cell sciences is what brings us together as friends and colleagues, rather than competitors. ISAC’s members are its heart and soul. As a member of Council I will be a strong advocate for its members and preserving the collegial spirit of ISAC.

The Society is in good shape. ISAC’s membership numbers continue to grow while attendance and engagement with the flagship CYTO meetings continues to achieve records. ISAC is well poised (and overdue!) now to expand its global reach and we need to act now to consolidate and leverage our global partnerships in regions like Asia, Australia, South America and Africa. As a Councilor I would support and empower initiatives to build closer and more mutually beneficials ties with associated societies and to foster engagement, events and membership services across the globe.

ISAC needs leaders who both understand the history and the mission of the society and are forward thinking. Leaders must anticipate the challenges and opportunities that are approaching. I have these qualities, and am able to work with staff, members and other elected leaders to tackle issues and seize opportunities to keep the society successful, cohesive and moving forward. As an elected member of Council I will be a voice in support of ISAC’s leadership development programs, which are so valuable in sustaining the society. I will support our journal and publications, which need innovation and action to adapt and transition to new open access and revenue models. As Councilor I will work to resource, support and empower ISAC’s committees to implement initiatives for the benefit of the society, its membership and which further ISAC’s mission.