Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
I hold a PhD in Space Science, and then held a postdoc position in electronics for medical imaging. That research was spun-out into a startup, from where I got the bug. As the startup failed, I jumped to industry, taking on commercial roles in corporates, managing business lines in medical displays and CT scanners, and, ultimately, relationships with medtech startups/spinouts. I then put my money where my mouth was and took a CEO role in a startup in IVDs. From there, I have held advisory and board roles in a small number of early stage medtech/biotech startups, until I came across my new role at LIHE, which I felt I had to do!
What is a typical day like for you?
No day is the same, as my role demands I wear many hats. As part of a routine, I wake up at 5:30, exercise, have a great coffee at home, get to work for the day which has me speaking to as many people as possible in a few hours, head home to put my daughter to bed, and then enjoy dinner with my partner. If I have time, I will get half an hour of guitar practice in before bed to clear my head.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Quoting a genius, "Stay hungry, stay foolish". Every day you are a different, more developed person, so it is impossible to know what you enjoy doing in say, 10 years' time. Just being open to new opportunities and experiences and seeing the world not in a linear way is something I started putting in practice much later in life than I wish I had!
What do you do with your time outside academia/work?
I spend as much time with my daughter as possible (which is precious little), cook for friends and family, and play the guitar. Holidays must involve travelling, otherwise they are not holidays!
What are you most looking forward to this year?
The opening of the LIHE and welcoming our partners and our first cohort of trailblazing spinouts from King's and beyond!
Who inspires you most and why?
Artists who perceive the world in a completely unique way, and who constantly reinvent themselves as their perception changes, such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, Mondrian etc, or musicians, like Jeff Beck. I am inspired by how extraordinary the human mind is, and how individual, to perceive and express the world in such unique and singular ways.
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite season: Only answerable in combination with a place. Winter in frozen New York, Summer on a Greek island.
Favourite London restaurant: Cannot make my own pizza (yet), so Homeslice is my go-to with friends. Best pizza in London, hands down!
Netflix recommendation: Midnight Mass. I love films/series that use fantastical storylines to explore social phenomena and beliefs.
One thing you could not go a day without: That first cup of black coffee to start my day!
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