BNA Career Series

Thomas Blackmore

Research Programmes Manager, Alzheimer's Research UK

Thomas is a passionate scientist with over 10 years of experience delivering complex scientific projects aligned with strategic company objectives. His expertise spans academia, early- and late-stage drug discovery in both biotech and big pharma environments, covering a range of CNS indications.

Experienced in international collaboration and managing multiple stakeholders, Thomas is an energetic leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, adept at identifying and initiating opportunities while maintaining a strong focus on delivering excellent outcomes. Additionally, he is an empathetic mentor and guide to junior colleagues, valuing the importance of strong working relationships.

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Felix Chan

Assistant Professor in Pharmacology, University of Birmingham

Dr Felix Chan is an Assistant Professor in Pharmacology at the University of Birmingham (in the Department of Pharmacy). 

He is a neuroscientist by training, with research focused on brain metabolism and mitochondrial function, especially how these relate to neurological disorders like epilepsy.
Felix also teaches on the M.Pharm course, is involved in mentoring early‑career researchers, and works with patient/public involvement in his projects.

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Andrea  Dimitracopoulos

Co‑Founder & COO, DeepMirror

Andrea trained in biomedical engineering and earned a BSc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Pisa, an MSc also in Biomedical Engineering, and a PhD in Cell Biology from University College London. Before co‑founding DeepMirror, he did post‑doctoral research in areas spanning neuroscience / cell biology at University College London and Cambridge, including work on cell mechanics (mitotic rounding, spindle positioning). 

At DeepMirror (founded in 2019 as a spin‑out from the University of Cambridge), Andrea leads operations and product strategy, helping shape the platform that applies generative & predictive AI to make drug molecule design more accessible to chemists. 

Under Andrea's leadership, DeepMirror has raised ~$2.4 million in seed funding, launched an early access programme, and is positioning itself in simplifying the hit‑to‑lead and lead optimisation steps in drug discovery for biotech/pharma teams.

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Fiona Ducotterd

Chief Scientific Officer, Alzheimer’s Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute (UDDI)

Fiona Ducotterd is the Chief Scientific Officer at the Alzheimer’s Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute (UDDI), where she leads a team translating novel disease biology into drug discovery projects for dementia. 

Before joining ARUK, Fiona spent over 20 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, including roles at companies like MSD, GSK, Eisai, and Vertex. 
Her work included bench science (e.g. target validation through to regulatory filings), project leadership, business development and strategic alliances, in multiple global locations (UK, USA, Japan, China).

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Rose Haigh

HR Manager, Sainsbury Wellcome Centre

Rose Haigh is the HR Manager at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits & Behaviour (SWC) in London. 
She supports both staff and students, and also serves as an accredited coach (via ICF) working as part of UCL’s internal coaching team. 

Before this role, she worked at the Commonwealth Secretariat on their Young Professionals Programme, and also in recruitment & operations at SOAS, University of London.

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Talitha Kerrigan

Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience, University of Exeter

Dr Talitha Kerrigan is a Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience in the College of Medicine & Health at the University of Exeter. 

Her research focuses on neurodegeneration and dementia, with interests in neuroinflammation & glial biology, electrophysiology, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and synaptic and intrinsic neuroplasticity. 
University of Exeter

She is also highly regarded as a teacher, having won student awards for her supportive and inspiring work in neuroscience education at Exeter.

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Ricky Martin

Recruitment Entrepreneur, Hyper Recruitment Solutions

Ricky Martin is a biochemist (Cardiff University, 2006) who founded Hyper Recruitment Solutions (HRS) in 2012 after winning The Apprentice. 
Ricky is the CEO / Managing Director, and has a strong focus on life sciences recruitment, connecting scientists and STEM professionals with roles in areas like biotech, pharma, and advanced therapies. 

Ricky is also active in raising recruitment standards in the sector: he’s Chair of the REC’s Life Sciences Committee, hosts a podcast on employability, and is involved with media‑programmes around work and careers.

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Emma Mead

Chief Scientific Officer, Alzheimer’s Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute (ODDI)

Emma Mead is Chief Scientific Officer of the Alzheimer’s Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute (ODDI), part of Oxford’s Centre for Medicines Discovery. 
She earned her PhD in Neuroscience from University College London, then did post‑doctoral work at Cardiff University. 

Before her current role Emma worked in industry, including at Eli Lilly, in early drug discovery and target validation, especially in neurodegeneration. 

Emma's research focuses on neuroinflammation and organelle dysfunction (like mitochondrial / lysosomal biology) in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. She runs teams that develop assays, screens, and human‐derived cell models (e.g. iPSC macrophages, microglia) to identify potential drug targets.

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Jo Montgomery

Neuroscientist, teacher, trainer and education consultant.

With a background in neurobiology and award-winning experience in teaching and training, Jo brings a wealth of experience as an #IAmRemarkable facilitator. Jo is passionate about science, education and supporting others - from preschool to postdoc and PI!

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Tara Spires-Jones

University of Edinburgh

Prof Tara Spires-Jones, DPhil(Oxon), FMedSci runs a research group studying brain changes in ageing and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease.  Her laboratory studies the synaptic connections between neurons, which in a healthy brain allow learning and memory. The goal of the group is to understand the mechanisms of synapse degeneration and resilience in order to develop treatments that will promote recovery of brain function.  Dr Spires-Jones received her DPhil from the University of Oxford and was an Assistant Professor at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School before returning to the UK to join the University of Edinburgh in 2013. 

In addition to her research, Prof Spires-Jones is passionate about communicating scientific findings to the public and policy makers; increasing the rigour and reproducibility in translational neuroscience; promoting inclusivity and diversity in science; and supporting the career development of neuroscientists.  She is a founding member of the FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence, which works to promote the future of European Neuroscience. She served as a member of the Scottish Science Advisory Council from 2016-2019 advising the Scottish Government on science policy, and in 2024 was elected a Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences. Tara served as President of the British Neuroscience Association from 2023-2025.

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Lucinda Spokes

Head of Public Engagement, University of Cambridge

Dr Lucinda Spokes studied Chemistry at the University of Birmingham, then did her PhD and post‑doctoral research at the University of East Anglia, focusing on how human activity impacts the oceans. 

She shifted into science outreach: first working on an EU‑funded education project (creating a public‑facing climate encyclopaedia), then with the STEM Team East charity, delivering STEM enrichment across East Anglia, including leading roles in Cambridge’s science festivals. 

As Head of Public Engagement, she oversees the University of Cambridge’s Public Engagement Team. She leads the strategy and delivery for public engagement, supports researchers to engage with the public (including collaboratively), and runs the Cambridge Science Festival and other engagement programmes.

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Selina Wray

Professor of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology

Professor Selina Wray is a Professor of Molecular Neuroscience and an Alzheimer’s Research UK Senior Research Fellow at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology.

Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia.

Selina leads a group that uses stem cell models to investigate early disease processes in neurons derived from patients with genetic forms of dementia

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