About the Team

The Translational Research Team (TRT), supported by the Wellcome Institutional Translational Partnership Award (Wellcome iTPA), is creating a shift in the translational research culture at the University of Birmingham.

The University of Birmingham takes pride in a truly translational pipeline and, together with its associated Birmingham Health Partners (BHP), namely Birmingham Women & Children’s and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trusts, sit at the heart of the new Birmingham Health Innovation Campus. By working together, the University has the expertise and infrastructure to deliver the full cycle of translational medicine: from strong, cross-disciplinary fundamental and pre-clinical research to cutting-edge clinical trials and patient studies leading to improvements in human health.

The TRT aim to raise the profile of the translational portfolio at the University and its associated BHP by supporting researchers in their efforts in translating ground-breaking discovery research findings into practical improvements in human health across the Colleges of Medicine and Health (CMH), Life and Environmental Sciences (LES) and Engineering & Physical Sciences (EPS).

Clinical adoption of novel therapies and medical technologies requires strategic planning and effective decision making for successful delivery. The TRT supports researchers to identify the translational potential of their fundamental research findings and in the development of a translational strategy to increase potential impact, through external translational funding and / or industry investment. By working closely with Business Engagement, UoB Enterprise and Research Support Services and our NHS partners we holistically support research translation by providing a co-ordinated set of complementary interventions to enable access to, and progression along, the translational pathway. This includes:

• Helping to identify and overcome the hurdles in advancing your research along the translational pathway;
• Facilitating new collaborations between our academic and clinical colleagues as well as industry;
• Setting up bespoke translational steering groups to guide research development;
• Facilitating access to external expertise. In addition to our Expert in Residence, David Fox, we have developed a portfolio of ex-industry external experts who can advise on all areas of research from early drug discovery and biologic therapeutics to medical devices and regulatory affairs.
• Supporting the development of competitive translational bids, including structuring milestones, producing Gantt charts and assisting with writing IP sections to both internal and external translational funding schemes;
• Providing professional post-award project management. Most translational research grants require an appropriate project management system to be established for the effective delivery of the proposal objectives.

Translational Portfolio Lead – Research Programmes and Infrastructure

Claire joined the University in 2011, supporting researchers within the College of Medicine and Health in the identification of novel intellectual property. She has subsequently managed the internal Medical Research Council Confidence in Concept and Proximity to Discovery funding schemes, the Cancer Research UK Birmingham Centre and now leads the Translational Research Team.

Claire has a MEng in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Birmingham’s College of Engineering & Physical Sciences and experience in the healthcare industry, working as a researcher for both growth consultancy and medical device companies.

Programme Manager - Translational Research

Jane studied Experimental Pathology at the University of Glasgow prior to completing a PhD in the field of asthma and respiratory science at King’s College London. Jane joined the Translational Research Team (TRT) in 2019 following postdoctoral research roles in Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds and London gaining experience in the fields of stem cell biology, gene regulation and genomics. In addition to general translational support, Jane also provides project management support for two MRC DPFS funded studies.

Programme Manager - Translational Research

Manuela completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at the University of Lisbon before completing her DPhil in Immunology at the University of Oxford. After working as a postdoctoral scientist in the areas of Transplantation and Cancer Immunology and Autoimmunity at the University of Oxford for several years and at UoB since 2013, Manuela decided to apply her knowledge and expertise to a different role and joined the Translational Research Team in 2019.

Programme Manager - Birmingham Drug Discovery Hub

Angie completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at the University of York, before completing a PhD in Biochemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham. Before beginning her current role, Angie was a postdoctoral researcher at UoB, working in the fields of microbiology, nanotechnology and environmental remediation. Angie’s current role is to support early-stage drug discovery research across the University and move it towards clinical use and patient benefit. In her spare time, she likes going to the gym and restoring vintage telephones.

Translational Project Manager

Holly joined the team as a Translational Project Manager at the end of 2022. Prior to this, she acquired 12 years research experience in synthetic organic chemistry and drug discovery in both academia and industry. Holly completed her MSci in Chemistry and PhD in Organic Synthesis here at the University of Birmingham.

Project Officer - Translational Research