Team
Dr Richard Deed – Innovation Unit Manager
Dr Ruth Hale – Deputy Innovation Unit Manager
Dr Joanne Thomas – Senior Technology Manager
Dr Philippa Flemming – Technology Manager
Dr Denise Farrall – Technology Manager
Dr James Corden – Technology Manager
Clare Bernard – Technology Manager
Emma Malpeli – Service Innovation Manager
Dr Bryan Griffiths – Business Development Manager
Emma Smith – Communications Officer
Alexis Jane Baxter – Market Research Manager
Bridget Liddle – Innovation Unit Co-ordinator
Tom Hardman – Innovation Unit Officer
Dr Richard Deed – Innovation Unit Manager
Richard is responsible for the running of the Innovation Unit and the TrusTECH team.
Prior to being appointed Innovation Unit Manager, Richard was engaged as a Technology Co-ordinator on the successful Manchester Intellectual Property Biotechnology Exploitation Platform (manIP BEP). In this role he was responsible for the identification, evaluation and commercialisation of a number of healthcare innovations, which added the skills of technology evaluation and intellectual property management to his sound scientific knowledge.
Before manIP, Richard held a senior postdoctoral research position at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research attached to the Christie Hospital in Manchester, where he worked on characterising novel transcription factors involved in cancer for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Prior to this he carried out research at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories in London, studying retroviral mechanisms of gene activation in breast cancer.
Richard was drawn to a career in technology transfer because of his interest in the commercialisation of bioscience.
E: richarddeed@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 276 5763
Dr Ruth Hale – Deputy Innovation Unit Manager
Ruth manages innovations from the following areas: Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside.
Before joining the TrusTECH team, Ruth was Senior Scientist at a Cambridge biotechnology company. Her research was based on ribozyme technology, developing chemically modified oligonucleotides for use as novel pharmaceuticals and target validation agents. Ruth has a broad background in the biosciences, which she developed working in both academic and commercial environments.
Her PhD research was carried out at the University of Liverpool, investigating protein biochemistry in trypanosomes. Following this, Ruth held a postdoctoral position of the
University of Cambridge researching protein-DNA interactions in filamentous bacteriophage.
Ruth developed her interest in intellectual property and technology transfer while working as a research scientist in the commercial sector.
E: ruthhale@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 276 5786
Dr Joanne Thomas – Senior Technology Manager
Joanne provides advice to help NHS staff in Manchester identify, protect and commercialise innovative technologies.
Before joining TrusTECH, Joanne worked alongside the TrusTECH team for a year whilst acting as a Technology Co-ordinator for the ‘Manchester Intellectual Property Biotechnology Exploitation Platform (manIP BEP)'. In this post she was involved in the identification, protection and exploitation for two of the teaching hospitals in Manchester and the four Greater Manchester Universities. Joanne has also gained some experience in intellectual property management from her role as a Research and Development (R&D) Co-ordinator for Stockport NHS Trust, where she was involved in managing and reporting on R&D within the organisation.
Joanne has a background in medical research. She gained her first degree in Physiology from Sheffield University and has also worked as a Research Assistant for the University of Manchester, based in a hospital gastroenterology laboratory. Whilst there, she was awarded a PhD investigating the effects of the drug, sumatriptan, on the function of the oesophagus (gullet). In addition, she was responsible for carrying out clinical diagnostic tests on patients with oesophageal problems and acted as the study co-ordinator for numerous commercial clinical trials investigating new treatments for people with irritable bowel syndrome.
E: joannethomas@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 276 6965
Dr Philippa Flemming – Technology Manager
Philippa provides advice to NHS staff in Lancashire and Cumbria and assists in identifying, protecting and commercialising innovative technologies.
Before joining the TrusTECH team, Philippa successfully completed a PhD in Molecular Physiology at the University of Leeds. Her research focused on the modulation of the activity of ion channels expressed in human vascular smooth muscle by naturally occurring lipids and involved strong collaborative links with vascular surgeons at Leeds General Infirmary.
A separate collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline allowed Philippa to spend 3 months working with research scientists at GSK in Harlow where she gained an understanding of the commercialisation of bioscience. She also attended the Yorkshire Bioscience Enterprise Workshops during which she gained knowledge of and an interest in technology transfer and IP rights. Previous to this, Philippa gained a first class honours degree in Medical Sciences from the University of Leeds.
E: philippaflemming@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 276 5789 (Manchester Office)
T: 01772 892 787 (Preston Office)
Dr Denise Farrall – Technology Manager
Denise provides advice on intellectual property and commercialising technologies to NHS staff in Merseyside.
Denise graduated from Keele University with a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and Chemistry and then continued at Keele to complete her PhD. The PhD was concerned with Crystal Science, which had a strong industrial theme. Working closely with industry her research aimed to explore and establish the physical and chemical function that organic and inorganic molecules play in manufacturing processes. Here she developed an interest in the importance of protecting innovation and intellectual property that arises from a research environment.
After her PhD and prior to joining TrusTECH, Denise was a Midlands Medici Fellow at Keele. The Midlands Medici Programme provides training to academics and researchers in topics associated with the intellectual property management of enterprising and innovative activities, with the aim to create a more entrepreneurial culture. During the fellowship, Denise was involved with the identification and commercialisation of intellectual property with specific reference to science and technology in medicine within Keele.
E: denisefarrall@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 276 5762 (Manchester Office)
T: 0151 706 3756 (Liverpool)
Dr James Corden – Technology Manager
James manages innovations originating from Trusts within Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
James is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with experience in technical consulting, project management and engineering design. During PhD research at Leeds University, James was involved in the design and development of a polyurethane artificial heart valve intended for human implantation and for incorporation within a left ventricular assist device.
This was followed by three years as a Design Engineer at a Salford-based company involved in the design and manufacture of automotive test equipment and four years as a Senior Mechanical Engineer at a large engineering consultancy providing engineering
analysis, technical consultancy and project management services to clients within the
nuclear, defence and power generation industries.
E: jamescorden@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 276 5782
Clare Bernard – Technology Manager
Clare currently provides advice to NHS staff in Lancashire and Cumbria, and assists in identifying, protecting and commercialising innovative technologies.
Clare graduated from Hull University with a first class honours degree in Mechanical Engineering (MEng) in 2004. She was then employed by Hull & East Yorkshire NHS Trust as a trainee Clinical Scientist for two years. Whilst in this role, she completed an MSc in Medical Physics & Clinical Engineering at The University of Sheffield and undertook three placements in Medical Engineering Design, Design of Medical Electronic Instrumentation and Radiotherapy. Following completion of the training scheme she was awarded the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine Clinical Science Postgraduate Diploma.
Prior to joining TrusTECH, Clare spent 11 months working as a researcher investigating bone marrow composition and quantifying bone structure using Magnetic Resonance Imaging at The University of Hull. Preliminary findings have been published in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (JMRI).
E: clarebernard@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 276 5789 (Manchester Office)
T: 01772 892 787 ( Preston Office)
Emma Malpeli – Service Innovation Manager
Emma is the Service Innovation Manager at TrusTECH. This is the first role of its kind within the Innovation Hubs focusing on identifying, assessing and assisting NHS Trusts with the implementation of service innovations across the North West.
Prior to joining TrusTECH, Emma qualified as a Nurse from John Moore's University in Liverpool in 1995 (she has a background in nursing within both primary and secondary care). Emma worked as a Senior Nurse Manager for NHS Professionals Nursing – the Special Health Authority for temporary nursing staff. Here, Emma worked with a senior team to maintain contracts for the provision of nursing staff with NHS Trusts and provided clinical support and guidance for the corporate Nurse Facilitators.
Emma successfully completed a post graduate diploma in Management Studies in 2004.
E: emmamalpeli@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 276 5970
Dr Bryan Griffiths - Business Development Manager
Bryan will expand the hub’s business consultancy service and work with the rest of the TrusTECH team to deliver these projects and raise awareness of TrusTECH at a local, national and international level.
Bryan’s previous role at ConvaTec involved the design and development of medical devices from inception to launch, achieving successful global commercialisation of a number of wound care products.
With significant experience in product development, Bryan is ideally placed to identify opportunities for TrusTECH to assist NHS Trusts, commercial clients and associates with innovative healthcare projects on a consultancy basis (e.g. business plan development, market research, research collaborations with NHS organisations, etc.).
E: bryangriffiths@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 901 2508
Emma Smith – Communications Officer
Emma manages the development and implementation the communications strategy for
TrusTECH.
She has experience in a variety of science-related communications. Emma previously worked as a Communications Assistant for UK Biobank (a medical research study), as a writer for a medical communications agency and as the Marketing Assistant at Manchester Science Park.
Emma is currently studying for a CAM Diploma in Marketing Communications. She completed an MSc in Science (focusing on communicating science) through the Open University in 2005 and graduated from the University of Manchester in 2002 with a BSc in Pharmacology.
E: emmasmith@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 276 6964
Alexis Jane Baxter – Market Research Manager
Alexis manages market research projects for TrusTECH, NHS Trusts and non-NHS based
clients.
Her role involves researching specific medical/scientific sectors to inform market need assessments for novel innovative healthcare developments. This is her first NHS position.
Before joining the TrusTECH team she completed an MSc in Marketing at Manchester Business School in 2006 and graduated from the Manchester Metropolitan University in 2005 with a first class honors degree in Film and Media Studies.
E: alexisbaxter@trustech.org.uk
T:
0161 901 2509
Bridget Liddle – Innovation Unit Co-ordinator
Bridget has day-to-day responsibility for the effective administration of TrusTECH. Bridget is the first point of contact for all general enquiries.
Bridget is responsible for managing the contract between the Manchester Investment and Development Agency (MIDAS) and TrusTECH. TrusTECH supports the activity of MIDAS in the healthcare sector and acts as a facilitator between MIDAS and the Greater Manchester NHS Trusts. TrusTECH acts as the contact point between the NHS and industry. In collaboration with MIDAS and the Greater Manchester Research Alliance, Bridget co-ordinated the production of “Health and Wealth: Shaping the future of healthcare”, a brochure which highlights Manchester’s excellent clinical research resources.
Bridget also sits on Central Manchester’s NHS Trusts Regeneration Steering group and attends the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s NHS Good Corporate Citizen meetings.
Before joining the TrusTECH team, Bridget was the Project Co-ordinator for the North West Innovation Management Project (NWIMP) – a 12 month project set up to provide intellectual property audit services to NHS Trusts in the North West region. In this role Bridget helped organise the first National Intellectual Property Conference for NHS R&D managers, researchers and technology transfer companies, which generated a high level of interest. Before joining the NHS in 1999, Bridget graduated with a BA honours degree in Economics from the University of Manchester in 1997.
E: bridgetliddle@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 276 5764
Tom Hardman – Innovation Unit Officer
Tom is a key part of the TrusTECH team and helps to ensure that TrusTECH's systems and processes work efficiently.
His work includes helping to manage the organisations financial accounts, as well as supporting the Technology Management and Marketing aspects ofTrusTECH's work.
Before joining the TrusTECH team he worked in a number of administrative roles and graduated from the University of Manchester in 2004 with a first class honours degree in English & American Literature.
E: tomhardman@trustech.org.uk
T: 0161 901 2524