I am a PhD researcher at the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Manchester Institute and the University of Manchester. Throughout my PhD project we aim to understand why Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) patients very rapidly develop resistance to chemotherapy. To achieve this goal, we have strong collaborations with the Christie hospital on the one side and the pharmaceutical industry on the other side. We are confident to find a new treatment strategy that translates into the clinic, since the treatment regimen for SCLC has been unchanged for the last three decades.

I obtained my M.Sc. at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, Germany. During this time I not only developed a strong interest in translational research, but also had the possibility to perform several placements abroad, such as a 6-month placement at the Whitehead Institute in Boston. I believe the IF Manchester will help me to combine my strong interest in science with entrepreneurship and to translate my ideas into the clinic.

Alongside my PhD work, I have participated in multiple accelerator programmes (e.g. BiotechYES, TERMIS Business Plan Competition, ImagineIF) with fellow PhD students to both develop our entrepreneurial skills and gain valuable mentorship to take our ideas forward towards commercial reality. In June 2017, our team was successful in winning the Northern Consulting Case Competition. Having grown up on a farm in rural Wales, I have always been immersed in an entrepreneurial atmosphere and aimed to combine my love of science with entrepreneurship to develop innovative and impactful ideas. As well as my scientific and entrepreneurial interests, I am an avid martial artist and enjoy hiking.

Liutauras Mazonas, an Independent Consultant in Open Banking & Marketing with a major in Information Technology & Management from The University of Manchester.

Previous start-up founder whose company was providing leisure services and a social space for young children in Lithuania, alumni of JA Europe, volunteer at a London Innovation Society and a previous Solutions Architect at Fidelity International.

Gemma is an enthusiastic Chemistry graduate from the University of Manchester with a strong interest in entrepreneurship in science. She has previously interned in both the investment banking and intellectual property industries, and possesses a strong grounding in practical science through her time as an undergraduate researcher at Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy. Alongside her studies, she contributed to several different research groups operating in solid-phase peptide synthesis, optical chemo-sensors and computational quantum chemistry.

Through her work as a volunteer, Gemma’s involvement with Manchester Science Festival, Manchester Science and Industry Museum and various local charities has seen her seek out collaboration opportunities, contribute to blogs and social media content and lead educational workshops in the wider community. She is passionate about scientific outreach aiming to enthuse young people into careers in science, and continues to work with local STEM groups in her free time.

Gemma is now turning her attention to a career in business development for young biotechnology and life-sciences companies.

Anastassia Bolotkova is a cell therapy professional, who specialises in research and manufacturing personalised immunotherapy for melanoma patients.

Originally from Estonia, Anastassia moved to the UK to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine at the University of Manchester. Being an open-minded person, has driven her to complete several international research projects in leading European institutes, specializing in cancer research.

When Anastassia came across the Business Development Associate position at the Innovation Forum, she did not hesitate to take up the role as she knew it would provide her with great development opportunities. She endeavoured to work hard in the role and achieved positive results! Her career has rapidly progressed and almost within a year she became a President of the Innovation Forum, Manchester. This move not only allowed her to support the Forum’s growth and become even more global, but also to better understand herself and do something she is passionate about!

More recently, she was promoted to join the central executive team as Global Head of Business Development