SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES - YORK CONFERENCE, 9-10 MAY 2017
as of 27 April 2017
Aimée is a Principal of RWDI, and the firm leader for the higher education, laboratory and health care sectors. Aimée is widely recognized among the design community for her deep knowledge of exhaust flue dispersion and air intake systems and her strong technical understanding of health and well-being of occupants, building energy use, and local microclimate factors including wind flow behaviour, air quality, ventilation, and acoustics. Aimee is a licensed Professional Engineer (Ontario), and a member of I2SL and Sustainable Labs Canada.
Dr Alison Farmer
Alison Farmer is a physicist with a deep dedication to energy efficiency in buildings. Her work at kW Engineering spans strategic planning, energy audits, control system design, commissioning, energy analysis, and research into the latest high-efficiency technologies for lab buildings. She has chaired the I2SL Lab Benchmarking Working Group since its inception in 2014. Alison holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in physics from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in astrophysics from Caltech.
Amanda Cove
Veolia Water Technologies UK is a subsidiary of Veolia. With over 75 years’ experience in water we have worked within nearly every industry sector. We offer a full range of solutions for water purification and sustainable water recovery for industry, science and research. With a wide range of process water treatment systems that range from bench-top water purifiers to centralised pure water delivery systems, we are confident that we can meet your water treatment requirements I am going to talk to you about helping Science and Saving Resources by Better Understanding of Laboratory Water Requirements from the perspective of a new build.
How do we determine the best solution for your needs? Why are water impurities an issue for science? How do we determine the water quality and the quantity? With these questions answered we then take the needs of the scientist and together determine the best solution. I will talk about the tried and tested technologies we use and the many different ways in which we can provide pure water for your new laboratory.
André H. R. Domin
Heidelberg Technology Park offers 80,000 sqm rental space and supporting innovation and high-tech companies. He is also serves as European Division President on the International Board of Directors of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation. He is Chairman of the Tech Transfer Association Heidelberg Startup Partners and Vice Chairman of BioRNClustermanagement GmbH managing the Leading Edge Cluster on Personalized Medicine. Heidelberg Technology Park will be expanding its premises at the Heidelberg Innovation Park (HIP) on Patton Barracks, one of the US conversion areas. First stage will be the Business Development Center Organic Electronics (BDC OE) offering 5,000 sqm rentable lab, clean room and office space.
The BDC OE will be built and managed by the Technologieförderung Heidelberg GmbH, run by André as CEO. André studied biology at the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität in Mainz and received his PhD with a topic on Pulse-Amplitude-Modulated Fluorometry at the Leipzig University. He worked for the Directorate Biotechnology of the German Federal Environmental Foundation, DBU, Europe's largest foundation promoting innovative environmental projects, and for the Directorate Knowledge and Technology Transfer at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, in Leipzig. From 2004 to 2007, André was CEO of BioRegio Jena Association and Project Manager of the Biotechnology Park BioInstrumentsCenter Jena. He then moved to Leipzig as Chief Executive Officer of BIO-NET Technology Transfer GmbH at the BIO CITY LEIPZIG. André was also in charge of the Economic Development Agency biosaxony at Dresden promoting inward investment and financing of biotech companies in the Free State of Saxony. Before moving to Heidelberg, he was the Director of LIFE, an epidemiological study at the Research Centre for Lifestyle Diseases at the University Leipzig. LIFE was funded with 38 million EUR within the framework of the Initiative of Excellence of the Free State of Saxony. From 2014 to 2015 André was Interims-CEO of the ExploHeidelberg, StiftungfürJugend and Wissenschaft GmbH, running the Science Museum at the Technologiepark. 10 yrs after starting the Foundation a strategic reshaping was initiated and André was responsible for the Change Management. Besides the well-established Extracurricular Education of pupils, teenagers and teachers in Natural Sciences, the ExploHeidelberg will inaugurate a new facility at the Zoo, addressing 600,000 visitors pa.
Andrew Kane
Having graduated with a distinction and an MA from the University of Sheffield, Andrew commenced his early career with a period of research at the University, focusing on computational support for design processes whilst at the same time, working in private practice. In the early 1990s, Andrew joined FaulknerBrowns Architects in Newcastle upon Tyne, where he was made a partner in 2000. Andrew leads FaulknerBrowns higher education portfolio and has completed a host of major university projects across the UK including laboratories, research facilities, innovation centres and teaching institutions.
He maintains a strong research focus to his work, exploring the relationships between spatial design in higher education and its contribution to teaching, research and the enhancement of the student experience, supporting through international benchmarking. He continues to be actively involved in a number of best practice industry groups such as the Higher Education Design Quality Forum and Constructing Excellence as well as hosting seminars and research based events. He has completed an extensive range of BREEAM Excellent projects including one of the first Excellent rated laboratories in the UK. He has also won a host of national awards including RIBA and RICS awards for his university work.
Andrew Smith
At Capita with Fera Science Ltd (Fera), Andrew is responsible for all aspects of Fera’s business, in its support of Defra and its affiliates as well as its commercial services as a part of the strategic growth of Capita in scientific services. Early work has focussed upon the transition to public-private-partnership (as Fera transitioned into a Defra and Capita owned JV) and setting and implementing its new growth strategy.
In 2015 Fera successfully led the consortium bid for the new UK Agri-Tech centre in Crop Health and Protection where he established the Centre acting as its CEO for most of 2016. Andrew joined Fera in August 2015 from Intertek where he built its global Lifesciences Division (>30 expert lab and offices in >20 countries w/w) over the previous decade. He returned to the UK after 3 years in the Middle East where he led the strategic development across all of Intertek’s services in the region.
Ben Breaden
A chartered Engineer with over 15 years of experience across many sectors, Ben is an Associate based in BuroHappold’s Edinburgh office. Ben graduated in 2001 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Liverpool.
Following this, Ben has pursued a career in building services and his passion is for large and complex projects, specifically those in the science and healthcare sectors. Ben is currently leading the MEP design on a number of science sector projects in Scotland. He has experience in designing HVAC systems for GMP certified facilities, Cat 2 and Cat 3 laboratories, Grade B and C clean rooms and Home Office regulated research facilities. Ben’s current involvement in new build biomedical research projects has led to looking for ways of reducing HVAC system energy consumption without compromising technical compliance.
Outside of work, Ben has a young son who keeps him busy he also enjoys mountain biking, running and music.
Bob Cushing
With 25 years in the ICT sector, Bob has held a series of board level marketing, strategy and general management positions. His principal areas of expertise are in corporate, channel and product strategy in the broadband, IP networking and added value services arenas. He was European Marketing Director for 3Com, floated Redstone Telecom on the LSE and is a well-known conference speaker and chairman.
Charles Monck
For the last 30 years, Charles Monck has played an active role in the development and management of science parks as instruments to support the start-up and growth of technology based businesses in the UK and overseas. After working with English Estates in the 80s where he helped to develop a new range of science parks and incubators and the establishment of UKSPA, he went on to run Yorkshire and the Humber’s inward investment agency before becoming an economic development consultant. He set up Charles Monck and Associates, which specialises in the planning, development and evaluation of science parks, innovation centres and the commercialisation of research in the UK, Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Far East.
Christine O’Connell
MMSc, serves as the Senior Director of Laboratory Research Operations at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Ms. O’Connell has 28+ years of experience in Research Administration.
In 1986 Ms. O’Connell received an MMSc degree in Immunology from Emory University (Atlanta, Ga, USA). In addition she has received post-graduate training in the area of Health Policy and Management. In 2007, Ms. O’Connell completed a two-year fellowship at the Advisory Board, an organization focused on healthcare operations and leadership best practices. Ms. O’Connell joined Moffitt in 1988 and has held several positions within research administration with increasing responsibility.
In her current role, as Sr. Director Laboratory Research Operations, Ms. O’Connell provides leadership and oversight to the laboratory based shared resources. Duties and responsibilities include the administrative oversight of operating and capital budgets, purchasing, chargeback/fee schedule development and implementation, strategic planning, and the facilitation of the Core Leadership Committee. In addition to proving leadership to Moffitt’s Shared Resources, Ms. O’Connell is responsible for the oversight of the Research Environmental Health and Safety Department and research space planning and management.
Christoph Ackermann
An Architect Director in BDP’s Glasgow Studio who has considerable experience delivering major projects in a variety of sectors including research, education, workplace, conferencing, health care, housing and retail. Christoph is experienced in leading multi-discipline design teams in the development and construction of complex projects from inception to completion; and has been managing and realising projects using Building Information Modelling for over a decade.
Christoph recently completed the Technology and Innovation Centre for the University of Strathclyde which was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in summer 2015. He is currently delivering the new Student Teaching and Learning Hub at the University of Strathclyde and the New West Fife Campus for Fife College. Christoph’s previous work includes the SFT Joint Pilot School Project in Eastwood High School and Lasswade High School, Buchanan Galleries as well as the Capella Building in Glasgow.
Clare Jonik
I've risen the ranks of marketing for over 18 years working across all channels of marketing communications andverticals including technology, entertainment, FMCG, sport and more. My skills lay in B2C but I am also well versed in B2B working alongside some of the UK’s largest FTSE businesses such as Dell, Microsoft and Intel. From ATL to contract publishing, I have built up my knowledge and experience by delivering six figure partnerships that require deep routed strategy and consumerinsight.
Dan Fernbank
He has worked as Energy Manager for the University of Reading since 2011. He oversees their carbon management programme, delivering on their target to achieve a 35% estate-wide carbon reduction by 2016, which has delivered £17 million of cumulative savings. He previously worked for the Carbon Trust for 5 years in a variety of roles. In 2014, Dan achieved a 1st class Environmental Studies BSc (Honours) through the Open University.
Daria Popova
Completed her Masters in Engineering at the department of Biochemical Engineering at UCL and then stayed on to complete an Engineering Doctorate with the department in collaboration with Lonza. The doctorate looked at optimising primary recovery strategies for high cell density mammalian cell processing in monoclonal antibody production. She then started working for the Cell and Gene Therapy
Catapult 3 years ago and is currently a senior manufacturing scientist in the Industrialisation Group. Her role includes supporting customer tech transfer activities into the Manufacturing Centre, due to open this year, for autologous, allogeneic and viral vector processes. She also supports process development and manufacturing development activities for T cell and somatic cell processes providing a GMP manufacturing viewpoint in early development stages.
David Hardman
His career over the last twenty years has been in knowledge transfer; working at the interface between applied research and commercial application and exploitation. His expertise and interests are directed at creating appropriate partnerships and infrastructures to promote the development and success of cross sectorial knowledge-based businesses.
He started his career as a PhD microbiologist, with research interests directed towards the application of microbes in what is now described as ‘clean technology’. In 1992 co-founded and led a start-up biotech venture based on the application of biocatalysts to the paper industry. This experience developed into a wider interest in the translation of science into good and applicable technologies. In 1998 he moved to the Babraham Institute in Cambridge to establish and lead a new Commercial Affairs Office, which developed into a wholly owned trading subsidiary, Babraham Bioscience Technologies Ltd. As a knowledge transfer company, BBT managed the commercial interface between the Institute and its stakeholders; promoting the Institute’s technology, know-how and facilities.
The main focus became the development of the commercial aspects Babraham Research Campus building on the early successes of the BabrahamBioincubator. In late 2008 he moved to Birmingham to develop and implement a new strategy to build on the legacy of what was then Aston Science Park’s 27 year history as the third oldest science park in the UK.
This has led to the creation of the Innovation Birmingham Campus offering an urban focal point promoting digital innovation across all sectors that impact the smart city agenda. The Campus is home to 160 start-up and early stage businesses and several corporate partners; a meeting place for 1,500 members of Birmingham’s Tech community and an interconnected centre linking this to a virtual community of interest across the UK and beyond.
David Miller
Business Development Manager and Rowan Maulder, Technical Director from Camlab Ltd together have over 50 years of experience in supplying and supporting manual and automated pH measurement instruments to every type of user. Their work has ranged from product management to new product development and technical support, so they have seen it all when it comes to pH. Most recently they have developed the new TRUEscience smart pH meter, specifically targeted at solving the most common questions and issues people face when working with traditional pH meters.
Today they want to share their experience and tips for getting the most out of your pH meter and ensuring you avoid common pitfalls which can affect your results. They will also look to the future of pH – how they envision meters will evolve to make collecting, saving and sharing results easier, faster and more accurate.
Professor Derek Jones
He has brought a wealth of experience to the Babraham Research Campus - over 25 years' in the life-science industry as both a scientist and in business development and corporate development, with first-hand experience of establishing biomedical ventures. Initially a medicinal chemist with Merck, Derek moved into business and corporate development at Chiroscience, (one of the UK first biotech companies which grew from 17 staff to a FTSE 100 company), successfully negotiating and managing several multi-million pound licensing agreements, (Bristol-Myers Squibb, Purdue, Mariushi) including being part of the team that licensed the UK first biotech product, Chirocaine.
In 2000, he co-founded his first company, BioWisdom, an IT/Drug discovery company. Derek was appointed COO at DanioLabs in 2002, a therapeutics company using zebrafish as a model organism for drug discovery, where he grew the company from 4 to 34 employees and raised around £(GBP)10 million for VC backed companies, before selling DanioLabs to Vastox, (now Summit Plc), for £(GBP)15 million in 2007. He joined Babraham in 2008 as Chief Business Officer with responsibility for the knowledge exchange and commercialisation (KEC) of the Babraham Institutes intellectual property portfolio, and during that time he spun out Crescendo Biologics whose business is focussed around intellectual property from the Babraham Institute. Derek became CEO of BBT in 2010. Following restructuring of the business in 2013, BBT’s primarily focus has been on the development and management of the campus, with KEC responsibilities returning to the Babraham Institute.
The Babraham Research Campus now has 60 companies, and is regarded as one of the most successful life science “bio-incubation” sites in Europe. Companies on the campus have raised over £500M in equity in the two year preceding 2017. Derek has a 1st degree in Chemistry, a Master in Information Technology, and an MBA as the first cohort of the Cambridge University Judge Business School MBA programme, and is a Chartered Director. He also sits on Cambridge University Enterprise Investment Committee.