Scientist and innovator is Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence
The Department of Genetics & Genome Biology is delighted to host Dr Chris Finnis who has been awarded a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) Fellowship in the first year of this prestigious scheme.
As a scientist and innovator with 25-years’ experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, Chris will spend 20% of his time for 2-years from 1st May 2018, leading Leicester’s “Genetics Enterprise Project” to grow confidence and understanding in business and entrepreneurship among staff and students at the University.
The Genetics Enterprise Project will:
1) Support student teaching to develop awareness of careers in the biopharmaceutical/biotechnology industry and increase the opportunities available for industrial placements.
2) Work with staff and students to increase translational research partnerships and the potential for University spin‑outs companies.
3) Strengthen links to regional infrastructure supporting life science start-ups and work closely with the University’s Research and Enterprise Division to develop the Skills Academy and Life Sciences Accelerator in the new Life Science Opportunity Zone at The Charnwood Campus.
4) Develop model systems of entrepreneurship for roll-out within the University.
Chris will be based in the Department but will be working closely with the College of Life Sciences RED team and with the University Innovation hub.
Professor Goodall, Head of the Department of Genetics & Genome Biology said “We are delighted that Chris has been awarded this Fellowship. His input will help us to enhance our innovation agenda in the department. He has been warmly welcomed by the Academic staff and we are looking forward to working with him.”
Dr Lucy Alexander, head of the College of Life Sciences Research & Enterprise Partnership stated “Chris will add to the College’s Enterprise capacity and also help us develop teaching and training in Enterprise across the College and University.”
- Chris can be contacted by email (cf234@le.ac.uk) if you have any enquires about the Genetics Enterprise Project or would like career or commercialisation advice relating to the biopharmaceutical or industrial biotechnology sectors.