I am the founder of The NanoBioTechnology Hub, the result of 15 years of experience across three countries and five cities, working with seven public and private organisations of various sizes, in departments ranging from 2 to 500 people. I like to be surrounded by motivated individuals who embrace diversity as a key to learning and success.
Today, nanotechnology has reached a stage where incredible things can be achieved at an affordable cost, just think of what a mobile phone can do. Lowering the cost of nanotechnology makes it accessible for commercialisation in healthcare applications. For example, COVID-19 lateral flow tests use gold nanoparticles, while vaccines rely on lipid nanoparticles.
We can now observe and control nano-sized objects that do not exist in nature with remarkable precision. This is the field where my curious mind has led me and where I continue to innovate. My current work focuses on enabling early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases in emergency settings.
What inspires you?
I feel most inspired when I gain clarity about the answer to a complex question before anyone else solves it. It gives me an advantage and allows me to achieve results in a smart and efficient way. I also feel inspired when I realise that I have identified the right question to ask. Competing with others on the same problem doesn’t motivate me as much as knowing I’m exploring a different problem that no one has yet understood. I like to think years ahead about society and be ready when the problem and/or the solution finally become clear to everyone.
Have you made any memorable connections at Venture Café Manchester?
I’ve made a few key connections. I enjoy attending as many Venture Café events as possible because they allow me to catch up with many people without needing to schedule a TEAMS meeting, while also meeting new ones. I also appreciate learning about and staying up to date with new innovations.
Tell us more about your current role and its impact on the Greater Manchester start-up ecosystem.
As Director of the NanoBioTechnology Hub, I have two main missions. The first is the “Hub” itself. I aim to connect people working in the “Nano-Bio” space, a niche but growing field. Linking back to the first question, “What inspires you?”, I’m motivated by dedicating my time and energy to a goal that may not be fully understood today, but soon will be. The impact of nano-bio-technology in healthcare is immense, especially now that it can be enhanced by AI in terms of both speed and complexity.
The second mission is driving innovation. With our point-of-care diagnostic devices powered by nano-photonics and AI, we collaborate with clinicians and paramedics to enable early cardiovascular diagnostics in emergency settings, offering accessible testing for everyone, before they reach the hospital or face long triage queues.
How would you describe your experience at Venture Café Manchester and its impact on your organisation?
Like the Manchester bees, alone we can do little, but together we can build hives, pollinate flowers, and give life to new fruits. Networking and collaboration are essential, and regular events help us connect, promote our organisations, gain visibility, and learn what’s happening across the ecosystem. I also had the opportunity to pitch in the final of Pitch2Tokyo, which gave us great exposure, new marketing insights, and valuable strategic feedback. I am also enjoying the Thursday training and learning sessions.
What are your biggest successes or most fulfilling moments?
I co-discovered the Alpha SARS-CoV-2 variant in the UK. That was when, as a scientist, I felt most useful to society. The lockdown imposed before Christmas saved many lives, especially those of vulnerable people, and helped prevent hospitals from becoming so overcrowded that patients could no longer be admitted, something that tragically occurred in other countries during different phases of the pandemic. It was remarkable that we were already using AI-powered tracking of the new variant’s spread in December 2020. The team was world-class, and our CEO announced the findings on Sky News after the government implemented crucial preventive measures.
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Every company is different. While there are general principles you can learn from experienced entrepreneurs, each journey also requires its own path. Most of the time, you should combine insights from others’ successes with your own experience and adapt models that work. However, no one else has faced your exact challenge at your specific time, location, and within your cultural environment. If you truly want to innovate, you must learn when to stop copying others and introduce your own differentiating elements. Believe in your unique approach and persist until the market gives you the answer you are seeking. There is no real failure if you have pursued your vision intelligently, with dedication and the right team. Not trying gives you a 100% chance of failing, so do not listen to your impostor syndrome.