Heather graduated from the University of York with a BSc in Biology. She enjoys data analysis and the representation of results and her final project dissertation was a review of in silico data and how it predicted laboratory findings. Working on immunotoxicology capability development with Dr Sean Hammond, Heather is a conscientious and enthusiastic scientist, with a systematic approach to scientific issues.
Read more here Heather Brown
Leah has been working at ApconiX since graduating from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Biological Sciences. Birmingham provides lots of choice which enabled Leah to split her modules between genetics, disease and some ecology, often focussing on the interplay of these topics through current and future global challenges, including climate change. For her dissertation, Leah looked at the reasons why students don’t actively consider studying ecology more despite increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of climate change and global warming. Still considering which area to continue in her career, Leah gained some experience in ecology during the summer carrying out bat surveys for Bowland Ecology, before deciding to pursue topics surrounding human biology, leading her to ApconiX.
Read more here Leah Worthington
PhD
Haroon has over 14 years of experience as a CRO study director, senior study director and toxicologist. He managed numerous investigative and regulatory toxicity studies for small molecules and biologicals in general and developmental and reproductive toxicology. He was involved in advising clients about their preclinical programmes, study design and execution, data interpretation and reporting for regulatory submission. Haroon brings his problem-solving skills and collaborative approach to the delivery of projects in an effective and timely manner.
Read more here Haroon Rashid
Isabelle Heys is an industrial placement student from the Newcastle University studying for a BSc in Biochemistry. They joined the Ion Channel Laboratory team and will be working on demonstrating the specific differences that exist between rodent and human seizurogenic responses. Isabelle’s project will be focused on ion channels and a combination of bioinformatics and electrophysiological techniques.
Read more Isabelle Heys
Paul has 30+ years’ experience in both CRO and pharmaceutical industries (AstraZeneca) as a study director/study monitor on a range of studies, including all delivery routes and species but specialising as an inhalation toxicologist. For the last 10 years at AstraZeneca, Paul led the global strategic implementation of preclinical outsourcing of inhalation toxicology studies. A recognised international expert in the field of inhalation toxicology/aerosol science, Paul has been an active committee member of the Association of Inhalation Toxicologists since 1987. Paul is a versatile toxicologist within the pharmaceutical arena and has all round knowledge of all processes involved in drug research and development.
MSc
Abigail Walker is a scientific writer with experience in toxicology, neuroscience, neurobiology and nutrition, having graduated from the University of Glasgow with a BSc and MSc in Neuroscience and from Bournemouth University with a master’s in nutrition and behaviour. A keen communicator, she enjoys expanding her knowledge base, drawing out the key points in complex scientific subjects and working collaboratively in teams.
Joanne has more than 20 years of experience as a DMPK scientist and project manager gained at AstraZeneca. In this role, she led cross-functional teams to drive the optimal and efficient development of novel drugs. Joanne has worked across all therapy areas with a special expertise in oncology. Joanne brings a blend of scientific expertise and project management skills to optimise drug discovery and development processes.
Read more here Joanne Wilson
Stacey is an experienced customer facing professional programme manager with extensive experience in nurturing and establishing long-term relationships to ensure optimal delivery. She is an excellent communicator with the experience needed to manage complex projects with rapidly changing and competing priorities. A true customer advocate, Stacey brings calmness and clarity to provide the best service possible, eliciting and listening to feedback to improve outcomes.
Read more here Stacey Owen
Sarah is an experienced drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) consultant, having worked for almost 30 years in the pharmaceutical and CRO industries, providing a wide range of expertise to academia, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. A collaborative project leader, Sarah has broad experience ranging from lead identification though to end of Phase II clinical development. Sarah is passionate about making a difference to patients’ lives and delivering decision-making data to accelerate new drugs through the R&D pipeline.
Read more here Sarah Pass
PhD
Craig has been working as an external Associate with ApconiX since October 2022, shortly after his retirement from full-time employment at Eli Lilly and Company. He has been engaged with both the Acuity Target Safety Assessment (TSA) team led by Dr James Sidaway, as well as Dr Richard Knight’s team of nonclinical safety experts. He considers Target Safety Assessments essential for early stage drug discovery given the necessity for drug safety. The ApconiX TSA team has excellent bioinformatics expertise that allows efficient extraction of the data necessary to project a potential safety profile and construct a data-based development plan. When working for clients with more advanced programs, Richard’s cross-disciplinary team of internal and external experts provides the necessary subject matter expertise that is required to increase the probability of successful drug development; irrespective of the issues that are encountered.
Read more here Dr Craig Thomas
