Meet the Team
Our team can work with you to improve your return on investment in innovation. We help ambitious businesses with R&D Tax Incentive, Grant Strategy, Multi-Partner Collaborations and IP centric projects across the medtech, biotech, food and beverage, recycling, software and manufacturing industries.
Matthew Mclean
Principal
Matt assists businesses to secure funding for R&D and commercialisation projects.
Matt and the team at Intellect Labs have helped lead successful funding bids from the Medical Research Future Fund, Modern Manufacturing Initiative, Cooperative Research Centres Program, the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, and state-based funding initiatives.
Prior to starting Intellect Labs, Matt headed up the Brisbane Innovation Incentives practice in a large ASX-listed IP advisory group and worked in incentives teams at large chartered accounting firms for over 10 years.
Matt is a registered tax agent with a Master of Taxation (International Tax), a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
Shaun van Dijk
Principal
Shaun is a co-founding Principal at Intellect Labs and provides expertise to support companies investing in R&D and IP development.
For 15 years, Shaun has assisted start-ups, SMEs and large ASX listed companies to successfully access tax benefits via the federal R&D Tax Incentive program. Shaun provides value to his clients through an ability to manage all aspects of the R&D claim process including advising companies on the implementation of improved processes to better manage their R&D initiatives, maximise potential tax benefits, and to support the commercialisation of IP stemming from these activities.
Shaun has tertiary qualifications in Law, Science (majoring in Drug Design & Development) and Commerce and holds a Chartered Accounting qualification with the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Stephanie Varidel
Operations Manager
Stephanie is the Operations Manager for Intellect Labs with a particular interest in impact businesses who are solving challenges in Australia and the world. Stephanie drives operational success at Intellect Labs by overseeing People & Culture, Technology, Finance, and Marketing functions of the firm.
With 10+ years’ experience working in operational and support roles for small, medium and large professional services firms, Stephanie has significant experience in efficient and quality project delivery, process improvement and team engagement.
Stephanie holds a Certificate IV in Business Administration and is currently completing a Bachelor of Business Management through QUT.
Siobhan Malone
Consultant
Siobhan is a consultant at Intellect Labs dedicated to supporting Australian researchers, inventors and innovators.
With hands-on experience in biomedical research from placements at the Critical Care Research Group and the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Siobhan brings a practical understanding of R&D to her role.
Siobhan’s educational background includes qualifications in Chemical and Biological Engineering, as well as Bioengineering Science.
Dale Prebble
Consultant
Dale is a consultant at Intellect Labs, dedicated to assisting companies engaged in R&D to maximise their tax benefits and secure funding through the government grant pipeline. With a commitment to helping companies to maximise their R&D benefit while managing risk, Dale brings a unique research focused lens that he applies in preparing comprehensive R&D claims and grant applications.
Dale has a background in manufacturing, construction, and academic research. His research centered around the discovery of organic molecules from the marine environment and their biomedical applications.
Dale holds a bachelor’s degree in Marine Science (majoring in Marine Chemical Sciences), an honours degree in Science (majoring in Organic Chemistry) and a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry.
Elise Kernot
Consultant
Elise is a consultant at Intellect Labs, where she assists businesses in accessing government grants and incentives. With a strong background in finance and economics, Elise provides valuable insights and analysis to support her clients to achieve their funding goals.
Before joining Intellect Labs, Elise worked as a Finance Officer for a large corporate in the retail food sector. Working in a dynamic corporate environment helped to enhance Elise’s understanding of the challenges that businesses face, giving her a holistic understanding of how grants and R&D tax claims integrate into broader corporate strategy.
Elise graduated from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) with a bachelor's degree in Business, majoring in Economics and International Business. During her time at QUT, she was actively involved in the Economics and Finance Society—serving as Marketing Director and Event Coordinator—and participated in the Women in Business Society.
Joel Spotswood
Collaboration Manager
Joel is the Collaborations Manager at Intellect Labs, where he plays a pivotal role in facilitating and managing strategic partnerships between industry and research organisations, and accessing government funding for these initiatives.
Before joining Intellect Labs, Joel was a Program Manager at CSIRO, leading the Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform (FSP) to advance biological engineering solutions. He has also held key positions at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where he managed a range of externally funded research commercialisation programs within the Faculty of Health. Prior to these roles Joel spent 8 years assisting businesses to access the R&D Tax Incentive and other government funding programs.
Joel holds a Bachelor of Biotechnology Innovation from QUT and a Graduate Certificate in Economics from The University of Queensland. His expertise spans across collaboration, business development, and innovation incentives, making him a valuable asset in driving collaborative initiatives at Intellect Labs.
Jocelyn Aboud
Legal
Jocelyn Aboud is a key strategic partner for Intellect Labs, providing expert legal services to our clients involved in industry-research collaborations and projects. With over 28 years of legal experience, including seven years leading the research legal team at The University of Queensland (UQ), Jocelyn specialises in intellectual property, contracts, and commercial law, particularly within the higher education and research sectors. Her extensive experience includes managing over 4,000 research contracts, including high-profile projects such as the COVID-19 vaccine.
Jocelyn helps to support Intellect Labs’ clients by preparing and negotiating a wide range of funding, research, and commercialisation agreements. Her legal practice is focused on enabling innovative businesses and institutions to solve complex problems, protect intellectual property, and generate value from commercialisation efforts.
Jocelyn’s previous roles include senior in-house legal positions such as Associate General Counsel and Acting General Counsel at ENERGEX Limited, and 2IC to the VP Legal at Arrow Energy. She also practised at King & Wood Mallesons, specialising in intellectual property, technology, and communications law.
Advisory Board
Our Advisors have extensive experience in intellectual property, business strategy and client delivery. They help us to ensure that our people, systems, service and delivery strategies are planned and executed in a way that benefits our clients by maximising their return on investment in innovation.
Mark Bisset
Advisor
Kylie Sprott
Advisor
Values at Intellect Labs
Motivated by Challenge
We lean into the hard stuff. We learn, adapt, and get better together. It’s about growth.
Everyone Knows the Score
We communicate clearly and honestly. No spin, no surprises. It’s about transparency.
Say No When It Matters
We protect our standards and clients’ outcomes by drawing the line when needed. It’s about integrity.
Collaborative by Default
We help others collaborate, and we model it ourselves. Different strengths, same team. We complement, not compete. It’s about teamwork.
Proud Innovation Nerds
We bring deep curiosity and energy to everything we do because real innovation shapes industries, ecosystems, and Australia’s future. It’s about purpose.
Calm is Contagious
We embrace pressure with composure. No drama. Just practical problem-solving and smooth collaboration. It’s about how we show up.
Ambition with Humility
We aim high, work hard, and respect each other’s strengths.No egos, just shared standards and mutual support. It’s about mindset.
A day at Intellect Labs
Watch as our Operations Manager Steph takes you through what innovation means to her and what she loves about working at Intellect Labs.