Registration is required
Register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/made-in-wales-researcher-career-stories-2025-tickets-1233000570899?aff=oddtdtcreator
This event is part of the REIS Seminar Programme series
SpeakerDr Emily Hardman
Dr Ian Lewis
Dr Adam Bryant
Dr Emily Hardman
Emily completed her PhD on the coral reefs of Rodrigues, Mauritius in the School of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University in 2004. Following her PhD, she worked as the Science Coordinator for a local marine conservation NGO on the island of Rodrigues. In 2008, she returned to the UK and worked on a government project engaging with local stakeholders (mainly fishermen) to identify Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around the Irish Sea. She then spent a few years working as a freelance consultant on projects to improve the effectiveness of MPAs in the western Indian Ocean. Since 2013, Emily has worked for UK Government agencies, first working for Natural England to designate and effectively manage MPAs around England. She now works for the Marine Management Organisation on the ‘Blue Belt Programme’, which is providing protection for over four million square kilometres of marine environment across the UK Overseas Territories.
Dr Ian Lewis
Ian is currently the Head of Transformative Technologies at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Ian is responsible for the strategic development, coordination and implementation of activities that support the development of new tools, technologies and approaches that will enable researchers to push the boundaries of scientific discovery and increase the impact of their research. Prior to joining BBSRC, Ian was Head of Strategy and Initiatives at the National Cancer Research institute (NCRI), a partnership of the major UK cancer research funders. Ian joined the NCRI as the Head of Clinical Research Groups providing leadership and strategic input into the activities of the NCRI’s Clinical Research Groups (CRGs), at the time, a central component of the cancer research framework in the UK.
Prior to that, Ian worked at the Welsh charity Tenovus Cancer Care as the Director of Research and Policy. During his 10 years at Tenovus Cancer Care he had responsibility for their cancer research funding portfolio, health and wellbeing programmes and development of evidence-based policy.
He completed his PhD in 2005 at Cardiff University studying the mechanisms that some breast cancers use to become resistant to common drug treatments.
Dr Adam Bryant
As the CEO of CanSense, Adam is dedicated to transforming lives through the early detection of cancer.
As an entrepreneur, advisor, and active investor for the past two decades in startups, Adam possesses a deep understanding of early stage investing and the rigorous requirements involved in bringing an IVD product to market. With experience as a Principal Investigator and a PhD in Theoretical Physics, he has presented at various Parliamentary meetings.
Before assuming the role of CanSense CEO, Adam spent over 20 years as a senior Managing Director in tier 1 investment banking institutions, where he established and led highly successful global teams. Transitioning from investment banking six years ago, Adam has immersed himself in the health tech industry, gaining the required understanding of the landscape, including the regulatory pathway—an essential aspect of the business.
Adam has developed an extensive network across the healthcare industry, including universities, AHSNs, cancer charities, healthcare providers, health tech investors, as well as large corporate partners within the healthcare industry.
To: 20 Feb 2025, 1 p.m.
Location: Link will be sent after registration via Eventbrite, Online Event - Please see description
Early-career researchers from across Wales are invited to a series of on-line career events in 2025. The purpose of these events is to give early career researchers an insight into the great variety of career options alongside the “traditional” academic route and are aimed at post-graduate and post-doctoral researchers.
The speakers contributing to the sessions all started their careers at a Welsh University and have since gone on to have successful careers in other sectors either within Wales or elsewhere. These events will celebrate individual career stories as well as showcasing the ways in which Welsh HEIs contribute to the development of a highly skilled and talented workforce for Wales, the UK and beyond.
We are delighted to announce three fantastic speakers for the first session on Thursday 20th February:
• Dr Adam Bryant, CEO and Co-Founder CanSense (PhD in Theoretical Physics, Cardiff University, 1998)
• Dr Emily Hardman, Senior Integrated Marine Management Officer, Marine Management Organisation (PhD in Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, 2004)
• Dr Ian Lewis, Head of Transformative Technologies, BBSRC (PhD in Biochemistry, Cardiff University, 2005)
Our speakers will talk about their varied careers and career paths from doing PhD research to where they are now. This will be followed by a Q&A. Please join us for what promises to be an interesting, insightful and inspirational afternoon – all welcome!
There will be two more sessions this academic year (details to be confirmed) – please save the dates:
• Thursday 1st May 2025, 12-1pm
• Thursday 19th June 2025, 12-1pm
The sessions will be delivered via Zoom or Teams and are being organised by the Wales Concordat Network (that has representation from Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Wrexham University, Swansea University, the University of South Wales and the University of Wales Trinity St David) in collaboration with the Learned Society of Wales.
Contact: Dr Anna Seager (Email: A.L.Seager@Swansea.ac.uk)
Event created by: t.m.chambers