Brett has an academic background in medical technologies, and he has successfully set-up high-tech ventures, involving the international commercialization of medical soft-ware. Dr Cowan previously setup and directed the world recognized Centre for Advanced MRI (CAMRI and the Auckland MRI Research Group. He is a named inventor on a portfolio of 10 medical and software patents, has won over 30 business and academic prizes including National Innovation in Healthcare, Excellence in the use of IT in Biotechnology, and the ‘Future Directors’ award. Brett has over 100 publications in clinical trials, medical imaging, image processing, machine learning and computational modelling and statistics.