Dr Ken Dutton-Regester | Science meets storytelling

Dr Ken Dutton-Regester has built a career at the intersection of science research, education, communication, and entrepreneurship. With a background in cancer research, Ken has translated his scientific expertise into creative educational tools that bring complex topics to life—from virtual reality to escape rooms.

Ken shares how his journey from researcher to Founder of Excite Science unfolded, the challenges of balancing multiple roles, and how innovative communication is helping to make cancer education more accessible and engaging.

How did your studies at QUT shape your career path?

Apart from the fundamentals the Bachelor of Applied Science gave me, QUT’s supporting programs and focus on real-world engagement, had the biggest impact in shaping my career. This first started with a QUT Industrial Internship at the Australian Genome Research Facility, where I saw the impact of emerging sequencing technology and how it was about to revolutionise the field of genomics. I used this technology during my PhD and was fortunate to be involved in landmark studies that explored the genetic landscapes of melanoma for the first time.  Fast forward to 2019, and the QUT Bluebox Accelerator was critical in helping me launch my business, Excite Science.

What motivated you to start Excite Science, and what impact has it had?

After hundreds of public engagement events speaking about cancer research to diverse audiences, I felt that the academic approach to communication was lacking and not reaching the people we needed to. This inspired me to launch Excite Science, experimenting with creative mediums (such as escape rooms, virtual reality, and augmented reality) to explain science in fun and unique ways. The response from the public and cancer survivors has been overwhelmingly supportive, making cancer education more accessible and engaging.

What advancements in cancer research excite you the most right now?

It’s hard to overlook the impact that AI is having across the world right now. Not just in improving productivity and technical applications, but also in the impact it can have on communication and education. Whilst it’s early, we’re seeing generative AI platforms improving their accuracy and reliability in providing the public with health information. I’m paying close attention to this and looking to see how we can push this further through personalised cancer education, delivering this information in formats, styles, and storytelling that resonate with individuals.

What’s the secret to making science fun and engaging?

As scientists, we think deeply about the scientific method and the structured ways things are done. Unfortunately, this often results in pushback from the academic community when you stray from the norms. But that’s where we get it wrong! Evidence shows people learn in different ways, so communicating science through a variety of approaches is vital if you want to cut through in today’s media landscape. The secret is in the clashing of fields within science and across industries. Take your favourite hobby, interest, or passion and smash it together with your science. That’s how Makings of a Malignancy, our cancer biology-themed escape room, was born.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of mentoring emerging scientists and communicators?

Everyone has the potential to be an amazing communicator, but for most, it’s something you need to practice. Helping others develop their unique communication styles has been rewarding as the world needs diverse voices. Once you realise you can’t be everything to everyone, you understand that everyone has a unique offering to the world that can resonate with audiences and demographics in ways that others may never reach.

What has been your proudest moment so far and why?

There are several proud professional milestones I’ve achieved in my career, from my first $1 million research grant, a postdoc at Harvard Medical School, to launching an escape room that took 6 months and a multidisciplinary team to build. I've also created a studio and developed a digital science curriculum for primary schools.

More recently though, it’s my current role as Curriculum Designer for Skin Cancer College Australasia. I’m in the process of overhauling their master’s level certification programs helping general practitioners detect and treat skin cancers more effectively. It’s been great to finally close the loop, by applying a new suite of skillsets I’ve developed in creative content creation by marrying this with my original research interests in skin cancer.

As a researcher, entrepreneur, educator, and communicator, how do you balance all your different roles?

Initially, very horribly—lol. I launched Excite Science while also trying to establish an independent lab. I remember a conversation with the Director of my research institute at the time asking, "Is this a wise thing to do?" Then, throw a couple of kids into the mix soon after, and I quickly realised that it’s ok to not do everything at once and that life operates in seasons. In the end, I had to ramp down my pursuit of an independent lab because:

a) it wasn’t feasible to do at the same time as trying to launch a business, and 
b) the creative communication path was more appealing.

Interestingly, I’m still active in research, but now in a sustainable collaborator role where I don’t have the stress of raising research funds and managing a team.

Is there a book, podcast, or resource that has greatly influenced your career?

The Futur podcast by Chris Do explores the intersection of design, marketing, and business. This podcast had a real impact on me as I transitioned from a wet lab scientist to an entrepreneur. I had zero experience in business when I launched Excite Science and was clueless about how sales worked. I still laugh when I reflect on my first sales call where I seriously overpromised and undercharged. The Futur podcast helped me understand business, negotiation, values-based pricing, and how to navigate sales calls in a genuinely helpful way.  It completely shifted my mindset away from the stereotypical 'car salesman' approach.

What advice would you give QUT students and alumni looking to follow a multidisciplinary career path like yours?

The saying, "You can’t be, what you can’t see," comes to mind. Transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship, I realised there are so many amazing individuals doing cool things who started with a similar background to mine but later fused it with other industries. The first step is opening your eyes and looking outside of your day-to-day circles. Use LinkedIn, the internet, or even the QUT Alumni network. Reach out to those doing things you admire and arrange an informational interview. Ask how they got there, what they did, and if they can connect you to someone else you should be chatting to.

After that, it’s taking the leap of faith! Finally, understand it’s easier to build a new career layer as you’ve already learnt how to do it once before.

Finally, what legacy do you hope to leave in cancer research, science education, and communication?

To stand out and be seen, you need to stand out and be seen. Regardless of your field, it’s a competitive world out there and if you want attention you need to earn it.  As scientists, we can no longer rely on the government to invest in our research and 'go through the motions.' Think deeply and honestly about what you’re trying to achieve and consider, "Is this what the world needs, and will people pay me to do it?"  If not, think creatively and do something different. Whilst it may not always work out, embrace uncertainty as the impact is where you least expect it!

QUT degrees—Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) (2008) and Doctor of Philosophy (2012)

Have a question for Ken? Connect with him on LinkedIn.