ApconiX Welcomes Dr Simone Stahl
ApconiX is delighted to welcome Dr Simone Stahl who joins the Safety Science Group (SSG) as a Principal Scientist and will be working with Dr James Sidaway, head of the Safety Science Group (SSG), and Dr Nicholas Coltman, Deputy Head of SSG.
Academic Career
Simone completed all her studies in Germany, her home country. She obtained a diploma in biology with her thesis work in inflammatory lung diseases identifying potential targets for asthma indications with a focus on phosphodiesterase. She conducted her doctoral research in tumour immunology working on immune tolerance towards tumour antigens at the German Cancer Research Centre DKFZ and obtained a PhD from the University of Heidelberg.
Following her PhD, Simone moved to the UK to join AstraZeneca as a postdoctoral scientist. She was involved in developing and implementing assays and screening capabilities to identify liver toxicity early in small molecules. Some of those assays are still being used globally across AstraZeneca.
Simone stayed at AstraZeneca for nearly 19 years. She focused on mechanistic and molecular toxicology for several years, working in the context of liver injury prediction and drug project problem solving activities. Later she joined the ADME group building her knowledge in drug transporters and drug drug interactions. She moved to Cambridge when the company relocated and continued to develop her expertise in ADME and safety sciences. Her role in more recent years shifted to discovery toxicology, and she supported drug discovery projects from initial target idea to preparations for candidate nomination, delivering the safety strategy for her specific projects. Throughout her varying roles Simone had a particular interest in evaluating and applying in vitro models for toxicology and DMPK questions ranging from simple cell-based models to organ-on-chip approaches. As a keen early talent supporter Simone also delivered novel science and tools as supervisor through multiple placement, master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral projects. Simone worked across different drug modalities, including oligonucleotides, PROTACs, peptides and small molecules, providing her a broad and solid expertise of the drug discovery process, target safety assessment and mechanistic toxicology.
Working at ApconiX
As Simone’s family never moved to Cambridge when AstraZeneca relocated, she was keen to find a job closer to home. Having contacts at ApconiX from their AstraZeneca days, when Simone saw an opportunity to join the team she seized it immediately. With her extended industry experience, Simone will support aspects across the Safety Sciences portfolio, help streamline the processes between TSAs authors, and mentor junior authors in developing their skills.
Dr James Sidaway commented: “We are delighted that Simone has chosen to join ApconiX. Her talent and industry experience further strengthen SSG’s expert toxicologist-led Target Safety Assessment and mechanistic toxicity services. Customers and SSG are already benefitting from Simone’s insight and expertise.”
Interests outside of work
Simone likes to spend time with her family. She wants to offer her son new experiences and therefore is always looking for the next weekend activity or trip. She also enjoys cooking, photography and singing, as she used to be part of a choir, and regrets not finding the time to pursue it nowadays.
