Monash Innovation Labs and Agilent Technologies Australia have formalised a new partnership to embed advanced analytical instrumentation within Monash University’s innovation ecosystem, strengthening applied research capability and expanding collaborative opportunities across industry and academia.

The partnership will see a suite of Agilent’s advanced analytical instruments installed within SAMPLE Labs, led by Dr Joanne Tanner, at Monash Innovation Labs. SAMPLE Labs is a dedicated applied R&D environment supporting chemical and biological process design and sample analysis. Alongside the equipment, Agilent will provide specialist training and technical support, ensuring researchers, students, and commercial partners can operate the equipment with confidence and apply it directly to real-world challenges.

The collaboration was officially launched at an on-site ceremony at Monash Innovation Labs, where the instrumentation and its capabilities were presented to Monash researchers, students, and industry collaborators.

Professor Adrian Neild, Deputy Dean (Strategic Initiatives), Faculty of Engineering at Monash University, said:

‘Partnerships like this are critical to translating research into practical outcomes. Working with Agilent enables stronger research outcomes for industry partners, gives students access to industry-grade analytical equipment and deeper practical experience, and reinforces Monash Innovation Labs as a leading innovation ecosystem for bio and chemical-based research and collaboration.’

Geoff Winkett, Vice President of Spectroscopy and Vacuum Division and General Manager for Australia and New Zealand at Agilent, said:

“The formalisation of this partnership marks an important milestone for Agilent and reflects our strong collaboration with Australia’s flagship universities, including Monash, supported by our highly skilled local workforce of more than 330 professionals. 

Over the past 26 years, Australia has been a key growth market where Agilent has evolved from a laboratory instrument supplier into the market leader in life sciences and diagnostics. We remain committed to accelerating critical research across disciplines that delivers national impact, advances innovation, and brings great science to life.” 

Monash Innovation Labs sits at the intersection of industry, research, and talent development, providing businesses with access to Monash’s research expertise, specialist facilities, and student programs. The addition of Agilent’s instrumentation further strengthens MiLabs’ role as a hub for applied experimentation, validation, and industry-aligned research.

Over the course of the collaboration, Monash and Agilent will work together on the development of technical application notes and analytical methodologies aligned with industry standards, while also supporting broader research and teaching activity across the University. Students and researchers will gain direct experience using state-of-the-art industrial analytical equipment, strengthening workforce readiness and technical capability.

The partnership also enables Monash-affiliated startups, spin-outs, and industry collaborators to access advanced analytical tools typically unavailable outside commercial laboratories, supporting faster testing, improved data quality, and lower barriers to innovation.