BNA Career Series

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.

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.

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

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.

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.