Advisory Group
Dr Chris Janssen - SBF Director
With a background in molecular biology, biochemistry, genomics, and bioinformatics, Chris has been active in research that closes the loop between experimental biology and computational analysis and modelling. His involvement with the malaria genome projects has given him extensive experience with gene prediction and annotation, and experimental design based on in silico predictions and modelling. Active in research spanning diverse fields, from heterogeneity in cancer mutations to identification of genes important in host – pathogen interactions, he has a good overview of the important contributions that bioinformatics is making to life science research and development. His involvement in commercial bioinformatics services as an entrepreneur and scientist has helped him to understand the requirements and issues involved in commercialisation of bioinformatics. He is leveraging his knowledge and experience to facilitate the development of bioionformatics in Scotland.
Dr Ed Hutchinson - Scottish Enterprise
Ed’s background is in synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry. Following PhD and post-docs he worked for more than 8 years in the pharmaceutical industry in Scotland; 5 years at Organon Laboratories and latterly at ProStrakan in Galashiels. In July 2005, Ed joined the Technology Team at Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothian (SEEL) where he manages life science projects aimed at increasing commercialisation, particularly in the areas of bioinformatics, stem cells and genomics.
Dr George Coghill - University of Aberdeen
George M. Coghill is a Senior Lecturer in Computing Science, part of the School of Natural and Computing Sciences at the University of Aberdeen. His research is in Model-based Reasoning (modelling, simulation, diagnosis and identification of systems using AI techniques), and he is currently applying these methods in the area of Systems Biology.
Dr Daniel Crowther - Wyeth
Dan Crowther, Head of Bioinformatics at the Translational Medicine Research Collaboration.
Prof John Crawford - University of Abertay
Prof. John W. Crawford, Director SIMBIOS Centre, School of Computing and Creative Technologies. Professor of Theoretical Biology working on evolutionary ecology and the dynamics of the global regulatory network in cells.
Dr Kate Rowley - Nexxus
Kate is manager of Nexxus where she aims to raise the profile of the West of Scotland as a thriving centre for life science activity. She has experience of working within the pharmaceutical industry with Wellcome, academia, the NHS as well as working for the Medical Research Council as a postdoctoral researcher. Kate has significant experience working between the business/research interface, advancing rewarding collaborative opportunities, which strengthens her endeavours to progress the creation of a dynamic and interactive life sciences community in the West of Scotland. Kate comes from a molecular biology background specialising in Virology having gained a PhD from the University of Reading.
Dr Anne Smith - University of St Andrews
V Anne Smith is an Academic Fellow in the School of Biology at the University of St Andrews. Her research concentrates on development of algorithms for recovering complex biological networks based on observational data. She currently analyses gene regulatory, neuronal, and ecological networks.
Dr Ford Kennedy - Millipore Bioscience
Ford is the Director of Scientific Sourcing for Millipore Bioscience Division in Europe. Ford is responsible for identifying and acquiring both new technologies and services, or products which fit to the existing portfolios. This involves working with Universities and Biotechnology companies through out the region.
Dr Ian McPhee - Scottish Biomedical
Ian is the molecular biology team leader for Scottish Biomedical, a pre-clinical drug discovery services company focussing exclusively on early stage drug research.
Dr Alison Orr - Targeting Innovation Ltd (TIL)
Alison provides specialist support to the Life Sciences Sector across Scotland in her role delivering European funded projects on behalf of Targeting Innovation Ltd. Projects include The Innovation Relay Centre (IRC) Scotland and Transbio.
Alison joined Targeting Innovation in 2005, having worked for five years in a firm of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, where she dealt with clients at both local and international level in the field of Life Sciences. Alison is an honours graduate of the University of Glasgow (Molecular Biology) and gained a D. Phil. from the University of Oxford (Clinical Medicine).
Dr Darrol Baker - Director of UK Operations and Global Key Accounts for CLC Bio
Darrols' role is to build up the UK bioinformatics team in terms of sales, R&D and marketing. Bioinformatics understanding across multi-platform operating systems are key for true integrating.
Prof Jason Crain, FInstP - School of Physics, University of Edinburgh and Divisional Head of Science (seconded) National Physical Laboratory
Research Interests in condensed matter physics and biological systems using computational and experimental techniques. Visiting Professor, IBM Research Division, TJ Watson Research Center, New York, USA.
