This event is an excellent chance for female-identifying students to connect with highly successful women professionals in biotechnology. Featuring a panel of speakers with a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds, we aim to provide an opportunity for students to learn and be inspired to pursue various careers in science. During the event, there will be an introductory session from the speakers, followed by the opportunity to engage and network over pizza and drinks.

The event is co-organised by Oxford University Biotech Society (OUBT) and Oxford Women in Engineering, Science and Technology (OxWEST).

Professor Angela Russell
Angela Russell is Professor of Medicinal Chemistry in the Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology at the University of Oxford. She gained her MChem degree from Oxford in 2000 and her DPhil in Organic Chemistry in 2004. In 2007 she was awarded a prestigious Research Councils’ UK Fellowship in Medicinal Chemistry. In 2018 she was promoted to Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, only the 5th female full professor in Oxford Chemistry’s 100+ year history. Her work lies at the interface of Chemistry, Biology and Medicine and aims to discover new small molecules and mechanisms to manipulate cell fate and translate them into therapeutic agents, particularly for degenerative diseases and cancer. Her work has led to two spin out companies (MuOx Ltd and OxStem Ltd) and two clinical trials. In 2016 she was named as a ‘Rising Star’ in the ‘BioBeat 50 Movers and Shakers in BioBusiness 2016’ report.

Dr Carolyn Porter
Carolyn is CEO of CytoSeek a spin-out company from University of Bristol. CytoSeek is a discovery-stage biotech company developing the next generation of cell therapies to treat cancer using its pioneering cell-membrane augmentation technology. CytoSeek is applying its technology to enable development of more effective cell therapies for the treatment of solid tumours. Carolyn has 20 years leadership experience working with spin-out companies in the Oxford ecosystem and has previously held roles in Novartis and Chiron.

Dr Hsin Loke
Hsin Loke joined OMass Therapeutics in July 2018 as Vice President, Head of Finance and Operations. Previously she spent 16 years at GSK in a variety of leadership roles; most recently leading Finance, Strategy and Operations for the Company’s Rare Diseases Unit, which developed and commercialised a portfolio of innovative medicines, including gene therapies. Prior to this, Hsin led Strategy and Operations for GSK’s biopharm unit, and has held roles within an internal consulting group, commercial finance and internal audit. Hsin qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC, and completed her BA (Hons) in Biological Sciences and D.Phil. in genetics and immunology at Oxford University.

Dr Claire Shingler
Following an academic career in chemistry and cancer research, culminating in postdoctoral work in a joint-venture biotech start-up at the University of Edinburgh, Claire’s career has focused on multidisciplinary team management in the biomedical and university sector. Formerly Head of Strategic Intelligence at an Oxford-based pharmaceutical consultancy company, Claire then joined the University of Oxford in 2008, working in research and departmental management in Experimental Medicine and Oncology. Claire took up her role in the BioEscalator as it opened in September 2018.

Antonia Calvi
Research Engineer at Exscientia

** We ask that you please take a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) COVID-19 test on the day of the event.