Dr Sam Rust

LU Impact Development Manager, Chemistry

Sam is a materials chemist by training and has held a variety of different roles in both academia and industry. He completed his BSc (hons) and MRes at The University of Surrey. Moving to Brunel University of London, he joined the Sermon Group working on novel 3D printed nanocomposite materials for gas sensing, adsorption-desorption cooling and electrochromic coatings. During his PhD he undertook a consultancy role for P8E Ltd who were devising a novel plasma gasification system. They were successful in being awarded a patent for their technology. He was awarded his PhD in 2020 and undertook a brief postdoctoral role at Brunel. Sam then joined the start-up company ōForest™ as head of R&D aiming to devise a novel range of nutraceutical foods and drinks based on a forestry flower from India. In just 3 years the company successfully developed this range and began sales, being awarded a “Great Taste Award” by the Guild of Fine Food in 2024. Towards the end of 2023, Sam moved to the School of Engineering at Lancaster University as a Senior Research Associate working on electrochemical sweat sensors in partnership with UltraPCS. This project involved human trials to support the demonstration of a closed loop human augmentation system. This project was ultimately successful, and Sam joined the Griffin Group in the Department of Chemistry, using ssNMR and capacitive deionisation methods to aid the detection and removal of PFAS compounds from water.

Most recently Sam has been appointed as an Impact Development Manager in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Lancaster University where he is responsible for guiding academics through the REF2029 submission.

View Sam's staff page

Dr Thomas James

Associate Principal Scientist, AstraZeneca – IAB Industry Chair

Tom completed his undergraduate degrees at the University of Leeds including a year spent in industry with Roche, Switzerland, before conducting his PhD with Prof. Adam Nelson at the same institution where he developed novel synthetic methodology. Tom moved to the Max Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung as a postdoctoral fellow, undertaking research on high performance organocatalysis with Prof. Ben List supported by the ERC and MPI funding. He returning to the UK, initially to industry, and then to academia developing small molecule inhibitors of protein-protein interactions with Prof. Andrew Wilson at the Astbury Centre, Leeds. Tom Joined AstraZeneca in 2019 and has worked on a wide range of development projects from Phase II all the way to developing AZ’s commercial portfolio.

Dr John Barratt

R&D Manager, Sika Incorez Ltd.

John grew up in Ellesmere Port and graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2015 with a Master in Chemistry. As part of his MChem course, he completed a year in industry at Incorez Ltd. in Preston. Nine months after graduating, John returned to Incorez Ltd. and has been with the company ever since. In 2024, John earned a PhD in Pure and Applied Chemistry from the University of Strathclyde, under the supervision of Prof. Peter Cormack. His thesis focused on developing novel, less-hazardous routes for industrial coatings.

Dr Sam Hill

Innovation Manager, Vita Accrington, The Vita Group

MChem (Hons.) Chemistry - University of Huddersfield. PhD, Intrinsically electrically conductive polymers - University of Leeds. Worked across in across automotive plastics and interior finishes and coatings, mechanical recycling of household plastic waste and polyurethane foam for technically challenging markets. Innovation Manager for Mobility and Flooring at The Vita Group, leading R&D activity across Europe in foaming, CASE materials and recycling and material recovery. Strong interest in resource use to support systemic sustainability across the PU value chain from product design to end of life and circular solutions.

Dr Mark Betson

Chemistry Services Director, Concept Life Sciences

Mark is responsible for the delivery of CLS’s non-CMC chemistry services. He oversees the day-to-day operations of Concept’s Chapel-en-le-Frith site, home to over 100 Chemists, Analysts, Biologists and ADME Scientists. Mark has been with Concept Life Sciences since 2005, starting his career as a lab-based synthetic organic Chemist, leading project teams in delivering hit-to-lead and lead-optimisation projects for clients. Prior to working at CLS, Mark gained his PhD from the University of Cambridge and then continued in academia for a further three years, working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Manchester with a special interest in stereochemistry, atropisomerism and organolithium chemistry.

Gary Molyneux

Northern UK account manager, CEM Microwaves

I achieved my Chemistry Masters degree at Huddersfield University in 2014, during which I carried out synthetic research that lead to a published paper under the supervision of Dr Karl Hemming: Synthesis, conformation and antiproliferative activity of isothiazoloisoxazole 1,1-dioxides. Following this I have worked in industry within the following areas, academic research and teaching, analytical, biochemistry, CDMO, environmental, food processing/QC, nuclear, pharma etc. I am currently the Northern UK account manager for CEM Microwaves who provide collaborative product solutions for analysis, process and R&D including:Fat, Moisture, Protein & Total Solids Analysis for food; Microwave Muffle Furnace Ashing (RoI/LoI/Sulphated); Microwave Digestion; Microwave Synthesis; Peptide Discovery & Synthesis; and Automated PFAS Solvent Extraction.

Simon Bury

Vice President of Business Development, SYNthesis med chem & Viva Biotech Group of Companies

Simon is an experienced and well-networked business developer. He has worked in the global life sciences industry for the past 20+ years during which time he has held senior management positions in contract research organisations based in the US, UK, China and Australia providing a range of services spanning the entire drug discovery and development process including chemistry, biology, ADME-Tox and fully integrated drug discovery projects. His business development roles have enabled him to engage with scientists spanning the entire pharmaceutical, biotech and academic life science research sector and to build an extensive network of contacts, customers and many great friends around the world.

Dr Dhruv Trivedi

Regional Business Specialist, Shimadzu UK

Dhruv completed his BSc in Chemistry at Lancaster University in 2017. His research project for electrochemical CO2 reduction continued into an MSc by research, then into a PhD, all completed under the supervision of Professor Kathryn Toghill. Analytical chemistry was a major part of this PhD, which allowed Dhruv to apply for a role at Shimadzu UK in 2021. He is now a Regional Business Specialist, managing accounts for the North West of England and North Wales. His role consists of liaising with customers and helping develop the best analytical solution for their requirements. Dhruv joined Shimadzu due to their philosophy of “Contributing to Society through Science and Technology”. Lancaster University holds a special place for Dhruv, having spent some of the best years there.

Bryna Harris

Business Developer Specialist, Teledyne

Bryna earned her degree in chemistry from the University of Cardiff, during which she completed a year-long placement at Reach Separations, gaining hands-on experience with HPLC and SFC techniques. Following graduation, she joined Aptuit/Evotec, where she focused on analytical method development to support GMP manufacturing of APIs. She later became a senior purification scientist at Charnwood Molecular, working extensively with a range of Teledyne instrumentation. Today, Bryna serves as an account manager at Teledyne Labs, where she draws on her seven years of chromatography expertise to support chemists in advancing their chromatography skills and knowledge.

Dr Sophie Cooper

PhD, CChem, Chemical Modeller & University Engagement Assistant, United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited

Dr Sophie Cooper – Sophie completed her computational chemistry PhD in 2022 at the University of Manchester, studying the covalency of molecular actinide systems. Since 2021 Sophie has been working in the chemical modelling team at the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory, supporting a range of projects from decommissioning projects to the development of thermodynamic data for advanced fuels. At UKNNL Sophie also holds the role of University Engagement Assistant, where she supports the labs supervision of PhD and PDRA projects. As well as being a university liaison officer for the North West Branch of the Nuclear Institute (where she has helped develop the NI’s National University Network) she is also secretary of the Nuclear Academic and Industry Liaison Subcommittee (NAILS). In recognition of her work at UKNNL and volunteering with the NI, Sophie was awarded Postgraduate of the Year at the National Skills Academy for Nuclear Awards in 2024.

Dr Rosalinda Gioia

Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), Yordas Group

Rosalinda joined the company in 2015 with extensive experience in supporting government regulators on chemical risk assessments relating to the oil & gas industry, for which she has authored technical bulletins and papers for the annual meeting of OSPAR’s Offshore Industry Committee (OIC). Since joining During her tenure at Yordas, Rosalinda has played a pivotal role in overseeing and coordinating the preparation and submission of numerous dossiers, including REACH Lead registrations, Dossier and Substance Evaluation, and Biocidal Product Application dossiers. Her leadership has been integral to navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance in these domains. In addition to her wealth of expertise with REACH and BPR, Rosalinda provides invaluable technical leadership and advice pertaining to the environmental fate of chemicals, as well as assessments of persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT) in aquatic environments. Her expertise enhances Yordas' capabilities in ensuring chemical safety and environmental protection across diverse regulatory landscapes.

Nigel Slater

Design Technology Manager, Victrex

Nigel Slater is an accomplished Design Technology Manager with a strong foundation in chemistry and over two decades of experience in industrial research and development. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from Nottingham University in 1996. Nigel began his career as a bench chemist at Avocado Research Chemicals (now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific), where he synthesised a diverse range of organic molecules. Since 2004, Nigel has been a key member of the R&D department at Victrex PLC, supporting both monomer and polymer production. His work has focused on advancing PAEK polymer modifications and developing novel polymers