Dr Amy Shepherd

PhD

Amy holds a PhD and Masters in Immunology and Cardiovascular science from the University of Sheffield. An experienced Immunologist with 10 years’ experience in non-clinical and clinical safety programme design for both biologic and small molecule compounds, Amy has led cross functional drug development teams globally within a large CRO. She has a strong reputation for building client relationships and managing projects and combines a passion for pharmaceutical development and fostering collaborative relationships.

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Dr Kerry Illston

PhD

Kerry is an experienced Project Manager with over 25 years’ experience in molecular toxicology, new target identification/validation and nonclinical safety within large pharmaceutical and biotech companies and contract research organisations.  She has a strong background in driving complex, valuable, high profile drug development programmes.  Kerry draws on her knowledge and passion for science in drug development to identity and solve problems with innovative thinking.

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Sean Redmond

MSc

Sean is an experienced project toxicologist with more than 30 years of drug discovery and development experience gained in AstraZeneca, where he was formerly Senior Director of Oncology Safety.  He has led the safety assessment of multiple candidate drugs, delivering nonclinical strategies and bringing new molecules to clinical trial.  Sean has experience of working in the UK and US and specialises in oncology small molecules and nanomedicines.

David Jones

MSc, EurBiol, CBiol, FRSB, ERT, FBTS

David is a European Registered Toxicologist and a Fellow of the British Toxicology Society, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. David has over 45 years’ experience as a Toxicologist, both in the pharmaceutical industry and as a Regulator.  In his 25 years at the MHRA, the UK’s Regulatory Agency, he was responsible for assessing the nonclinical data for Clinical Trial Authorisation Applications and Marketing Authorisation Applications.  He also chaired over a hundred scientific advice meetings every year on behalf of the Agency’s Clinical Trials Unit.  While the UK was a member of the EU, David represented the MHRA in a number of working parties, including the Safety Working Party and the nonclinical group supporting the Paediatric Committee.  David represented the EU at ICH for many years and had input to most ICH Safety guidelines. His many years of experience at the MHRA provide invaluable insight to clients looking to take drugs into clinical trials.

Magali-Anne Maizières

MSc

Magali joined ApconiX in 2021 as an electrophysiologist to work both on manual and automated patch-clamp for client work. She completed 2 Bachelor of Science Degrees in Life Science and Biotechnology in Paris, France where she is from, before gaining a MSc in Pharmaceutical Science from the University in Bordeaux, France. After 3 years of laboratory experience at Sanofi in manual and automated patch-clamp, she spent 2 years in Cambridge working on cell-line engineering and neuroscience. Magali decided to go back to electrophysiology and joined ApconiX where she brings her love for ion channels, especially sodium channels, and her passion for patch-clamp.

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Nicholas Coltman

PhD

Nicholas Coltman recently completed his PhD in in vitro pre-clinical toxicological research (hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity, advanced in vitro models) through a BBSRC iCASE Scholarship with Sygnature Discovery Ltd at the University of Birmingham. Before this, Nic gained a master’s degree in molecular mechanistic toxicology and a post graduate certificate in advanced research methods and skills. He then gained invaluable industry experience first at Envigo and then at Sygnature Discovery. A creative and skilled scientific professional, Nic brings innovative new thinking to the team, alongside a solid knowledge of molecular and mechanistic toxicology.

Peter Cotton

Peter is an expert clinical pathologist specialist with over 30 years of experience in big pharma.  Until recently Peter was the Chairperson of the Association for Comparative Clinical Pathology and associate editor of the Journal for Comparative Clinical Pathology.  Keeping up the tradition of many of the ApconiX team, Peter is a lecturer on the MSc Toxicology courses at the University of Birmingham and the University of Surrey.  With an excellent understanding of non-clinical study design and interpretation, Pete can propose solutions in response to complex data sets to ensure good outcomes.

Pauline Garner

Pauline is an experienced Genetic Toxicologist with over 24 years in non-clinical safety at a medium-sized CRO. Specialising in Programme Management for the last 9 years, Pauline combines a passion for science and pharmaceutical development, with the knowledge of project and commercial needs. Pauline has a strong reputation in communication and an eye for detail. She particularly enjoys building enduring customer relationships to support optimum delivery of non-clinical safety programmes.

Emily Johnson

PhD

After completing her BSc Neuroscience (1^st class, Hons), Emily studied the role of T-type Ca²⁺ channels in proliferative cardiovascular disease for her PhD (University of Leeds). Having cemented a love for electrophysiology, she spent 5 years working as a post-doctoral Research Fellow, utilising her expertise with patch-clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics and 2-photon Ca²⁺ imaging, to address novel Neuroscience research questions.  A natural problem solver and collaborative researcher, Emily has a tenacious attitude useful for acquiring high-quality, reproducible data.