Tuesday, 25 April 2023
Scientific research at the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is set to benefit from industry expertise with the appointment of a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence.
This is the first time the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s Faculty of Science has hosted a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence. Martin Whitaker will be advising the ‘Faculty of Science Innovation Hub’ project that will provide a focus for helping academic staff to engage with industry and the commercialisation of research.
Martin is one of twenty entrepreneurs, senior scientists and business leaders from across 19 universities and institutions who have been awarded a place on the scheme. He will work with the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ team to generate an entrepreneurial culture across the Faculty of Science leading to increased levels of intellectual property innovation and industry relevant skills.
Martin is a ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ alumnus, completing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Science here and since then has gained over 20 years’ experience working in the pharmaceutical industry. Two of his products have been approved worldwide for the treatment of rare diseases of cortisol deficiency. Prior to this, Martin was Operations Director of Critical Pharmaceuticals Limited, a venture capital-backed drug delivery company spun out of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ developing long-acting growth hormone products. Martin is also that 2023 winner of the prestigious Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences award for innovative science.
There is an urgent need in both industry and academia for individuals who possess the skills needed to turn research into successful business. I will aim to help researchers do that within the Faculty of Science and will be using my knowledge and skills to accelerate the translation of projects from lab to industry.
The Faculty of Science Innovation Hub will enhance the commercialisation of research and generate industry partnerships and new ventures to help tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our society and the world today. Martin will help to build a network with industrial partners, channelled through a single portal - the Innovation Hub – that matches the commercial unmet needs in the relevant industrial sectors with the ability to address these needs through research, expertise and capabilities available within the Faculty.
We’re delighted to be welcoming Martin as our first dedicated Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence for the Faculty of Science. There is so much ground-breaking research happening across the Faculty it will be hugely beneficial to have access to the expertise we need to help translate it to industry.
Through the scheme, Royal Society Entrepreneurs in Residence are funded to spend one day a week with the partner institution. The scheme has funded 101 placements in 46 universities across the UK since it was established in 2018.
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More information is available from Professor Trevor Farren on Trevor.Farren@nottingham.ac.uk or Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ on jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what’s next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ invests in the city of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and in future generations of talent. Alongside ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we’re creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.