Meet the Team
Head of Innovation, Partnership and Engagement
Prof. Adrian J. Harwood is Professor in the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University. Previously, he was Professor of Biology at University College London after holding a Research Fellowship at the ICRF Clare Hall; the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge and the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology at UCL. He is an internationally recognised cell biologist with an interest in molecular psychiatry, and is currently an executive officer of the British Society for Cell Biology, and serves on the eukaryotic division committee of the Society of General Microbiology.
As Head of Innovation, Partnership and Engagement in the School of Biosciences, Adrian promotes collaborative research and develops innovation and engagement activities. Adrian joined Cardiff University in 2005. He served as Research Group Leader of the Molecular Cell Biology Group from 2005-07, and was joint Head of Research in 2008. He has been instrumental in establishing the MSc Biophotonics degree (jointly run between the Schools of Physics and Bioscience), the MRes Biosciences and establishing a number of Four year PhD programmes, many in collaboration with other Cardiff University Schools.
Innovation and Engagement Officer
Dr. Fiona Wyllie has been Innovation and Engagement Officer in the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University since 2007. Previously she was a Senior Research Fellow (1990-2006) in the School of Medicine, also at Cardiff University and was a key member of an internationally recognised Cancer Research UK funded team of cell and molecular biologists.
In her present role, Fiona is working closely with staff and students at all levels to create innovative opportunities to engage with a variety of public and community audiences and to improve the researchers' ability to do effective public engagement through recognised training schemes. A series of workshops have been developed for visiting school pupils which showcase research in the School and which involve collaborations with education support organisations and initiatives (see Case Studies and Events ). Internally, Fiona works closely with the Community Engagement Team, The Beacons for Wales and the Widening Access team to maximise the impact of these and other activities. She is a key member of the Brain Awareness committee which coordinates public engagement for the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute and organises a number of annual events, including collaborations with local science and arts centres. Fiona is embedding and enabling public engagement activity in future bioscientists by organising dedicated outreach sessions run and involving students in internal public engagement activities (see For Undergraduate students ).
Innovation and Partnership Officer
Ian R Horton is an Innovation and Engagement (I&E) Officer in the School of Bioscience, having recently joined the team after ten years working in the water industry in the north-west of England. Ian has a degree in Biology from University of Leeds, a diploma in water and environmental management and an MSc in Water, Energy and the Environment from Liverpool John Moores University. Prior to joining the School of Biosciences, Ian worked for United Utilities where he held roles as a regulatory Cryptosporidium analyst, a strategy development analyst and R&D coordinator. During his time as R&D coordinator Ian was instrumental in the development of collaborative research partnerships, management of EU grants and instigated a number of KTP projects for the company.
Ian supports the Head of Innovation Partnership and Engagement with a particular emphasis on “Innovation and Partnership”. He is responsible for engaging and developing sustainable relationships with external bodies, such as industry, NHS, Government and Charities, and will develop innovation activities involving the research and teaching of the School. Ian works closely with RACD to embed an innovation culture by improving communication, fostering strategic relationships and encouraging collaborations with partners. Ian will have a key role in setting the baseline and monitoring performance.