Our team

I lead innovation comms for Queen Mary University of London. My job is to create and implement the comms strategy to build our reputation for innovation. 

Email: w.hanford-spira@qmul.ac.uk

With over a decade of experience building entrepreneurial ecosystems in universities (including Oxford and London), Leah Thompson (she/her) is the Associate Director for Entrepreneurship at Queen Mary University of London. 

She leads on the institutional entrepreneurship strategy and works across stakeholders and audiences to develop initiatives to expand inclusive entrepreneurship support, as part of the Queen Mary Entrepreneurial Support and Training (QUEST) programme.

She works across all faculties and with external partners to strengthen the pipeline from early‑stage ideas to venture creation.

Leah is a member of Rise Europe, a network of leading startup ecosystem builders from thirteen European countries dedicated to advancing and scaling entrepreneurial ventures across the region. Her background spans consulting, small‑business management, IT development, and horticulture, giving her a broad and practical understanding of business and knowledge exchange.

Email: leah.thompson@qmul.ac.uk

Email: s.lowry@qmul.ac.uk

Email: n.vadsaria@qmul.ac.uk

Email: b.andrews@qmul.ac.uk

Safo is responsible for managing the Queen Mary’s patent portfolio which includes database, renewals and contracts management. Prior to joining QMI in 2008, she worked at Sharp Laboratories of Europe Ltd as a patent administrator. She started her career in Qiagen KK’s BioRobot Team in Tokyo.

Email: s.asai@qmul.ac.uk

Email: r.desai@qmul.ac.uk

Email: david.miller@qmul.ac.uk

I completed my PhD in cancer biology, specialising in acute myeloid leukaemia, at Heidelberg University and the German Cancer Research Centre. Following my PhD, I led the Gene Therapies program at a biotech company. My primary interests and expertise lie in immunology, cancer research, and gene therapies, but I am always looking forward to learning about other areas research!

Please get in touch if you are a QMUL researcher interested in commercialisation, have questions about intellectual property, or need assistance securing translational funding. I am happy to help!

Email: m.frolova@qmul.ac.uk

Projects I’m leading on

With a background in academia, the commercial sector, and government, and along with experience in technology transfer, I have developed a strong appreciation in translating the research and technologies to real-world application that create significant impacts to the University and benefit the society.

What attracts me most to technology transfer is the unique integration of science, technologies, business, and strategy that enable me to collaborate closely with researchers to learn their inventions, protect intellectual property, assess commercial viability, and facilitate partnerships and commercialisation to bring innovations to the market.

I hold a PhD in Chemistry and have a particular interest in the application of utilizing novel small molecules for biosensing, medical devices, and diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. I am also keen to learn about any new technologies emerging from life sciences, pharmaceuticals, dentistry and medical research.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you are a Queen Mary researcher seeking assistance with intellectual property protection, translational funding application, collaboration or commercialisation. I would be delighted to meet and offer my support to you.

Email: queenie.chan@qmul.ac.uk

David brings extensive experience in life sciences and early-stage innovation, specialising in translating research into impactful commercial opportunities.

With a PhD in Biochemistry and a Postgraduate Diploma in IP Law, he combines scientific expertise with strategic insight to guide technologies from concept to market.

David has led commercialisation strategies for biomaterials-based technologies, supported the creation of multiple spinouts, and secured significant funding for translational research. His work spans building partnerships across academia, industry, and investors, managing complex negotiations, and shaping IP portfolios to maximise value.

Passionate about fostering collaboration and accelerating innovation, David works closely with researchers and stakeholders to align scientific potential with real-world application to help deliver solutions that make a difference in healthcare and beyond.

Email: d.choveaux@qmul.ac.uk

Email: m.gurden@qmul.ac.uk

Projects I’m leading on

Projects I’m leading on

My primary responsibilities are to identify, protect, and manage the IP generated by university researchers, as well as commercialising university IP assets by licensing or by fostering the creation of spinout companies.

Following my PhD in nanotechnology at LCN, UCL, I worked on research projects in MedTech for commercialisation at Imperial College London and then leveraged my skills in research for commercialisation at an early-stage biotech startup in Cambridge. I developed a strong background in both academia and industry, with a particular focus on translating research innovations into commercially viable products and technologies.

I am here to provide comprehensive support for your research endeavours at Queen Mary and to explore avenues for commercialisation. Whether you have inquiries about market validation, securing translational funding, or any other aspect of the commercialisation process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I look forward to collaborating with you to transform your research aspirations into reality.

Email: huanwang@qmul.ac.uk

My experiences range from detailed market analyses, engaging with industry, business planning, and pitching. I understand the entrepreneur’s perspective, having successfully secured £70,000 from Cancer Research UK for my own project.

Get in touch to learn more about how you can get involved with the opportunities we have at Queen Mary University of London. If you’re a Queen Mary researcher, speak to me about how I can support your commercialisation journey.

Email: y.kutlu@qmul.ac.uk

Throughout my career in research management and knowledge exchange I’ve covered many of the methods universities use to make a difference. I was previously Director of Innovation and Engagement at the University of Oxford and have also worked at the Universities of Bath and Bournemouth.

I’m a former member of Research England Council, Ambassador (and former Chair) for PraxisAuril, and on the independent advisory board of the Barclays Eagle Labs Digital Growth Grant. I previously served on the committee of ARMA and as chair of the KEC evaluation panel for UUK. I’m a Registered Technology Transfer Professional and a Member of the Institute of Directors. I used to be a chemist and have studied at Kings College London and the Universities of Bath, Bournemouth and Oxford.

Get in touch if you want to discuss investing in Queen Mary companies or working together to grow the innovation ecosystem at Queen Mary.

Email: p.clare@qmul.ac.uk

Email: a.daykin@qmul.ac.uk

Projects I’m leading on

I was inspired by Renovo, a Manchester spinout developing anti-scarring drugs from alligator cleft palate research, who came to visit my science class. Ten years on, my own research culminated in a PhD in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine from the University of Leeds, which I chose for their strong translational focus. Along the way, I joined GSK during my Biochemistry degree, was seconded to a MedTech innovation hub during my PhD, and spent time at investors and innovation competitions in between.

Get in touch to discuss technology and engineering innovations across Queen Mary, especially in healthcare. If you’re a Queen Mary researcher, I can help you commercialise your research.

Email: b.golland@qmul.ac.uk

Projects I’m leading on