Julie Harkins

Patent Attorney Consultant, EKM patent

• Honours in Microbiology
• Microbiology degree (Major Biochemistry)
• Registered Patent Attorney (Australia)
• Registered Patent Attorney (New Zealand)

Julie holds an Honours degree from Monash University in Microbiology, where she investigated the cloning and characterisation of a Clostridium perfringens chloramphenicol resistance gene. In her third year, Julie studied genetics and biochemistry as part of her primary degree in microbiology. She was also the recipient of a National Heart Foundation scholarship in which she studied cardiomyopathy in dogs.

Julie worked as a research assistant in the area of plant physiology and plant tissue culture in the identification and culturing of saline resistant trees. After her Honours year, Julie worked as a microbiologist at the Rural Water Commission monitoring water supplies and detecting pathogens before finally entering the intellectual property field in 1987. She has a particular interest in inventions involving genetically modified plants and probiotic food compositions.

During her training to qualify as a Patent Attorney, Julie spent time with a London-based Attorney firm, gaining experience in European patent procedures.

Julie, a Registered Australian and New Zealand Patent Attorney since 1993, has broad interests across the biological sciences. She is primarily involved in advising on, drafting, prosecution and litigation of biotechnical, medical device, chemical and pharmaceutical patents. Julie also works in Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR) and trade marks.

Julie is a Fellow of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys and a member of IPANZ.

In her leisure time, Julie enjoys gardening, spinning and other fiber related hobbies

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Fellow of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (IPTA)
• Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)