Samantha Martell is our Acting Chief Operating Officer, bringing over 15 years of experience in project management to the role. She holds a degree from Canterbury University and is deeply passionate about wellness. Currently, she serves as a functional medicine health coach with a specialized focus on female nutrition

CEO & founder Simon Carty, was formerly an elite athlete while also being a Loughborough graduate in exercise physiology and biochemistry. More recently he set up a longevity programme in central London working with C-level executives. His current focus is maximising future impact as an operator in health & life sciences.

Dr. Jathoul did his Ph.D in Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge (Pembroke College) engineering firefly luciferase (May 2008 Thesis: ‘Activity of firefly luciferase with 6’-amino-D-luciferin’). In postdoctoral work at UCL he engineered enzymes for bioluminescence imaging, invented infraluciferin and developed molecular-genetic tools for photoacoustic imaging (e.g. he invented ‘E2 crimson NF’) . He moved to Cardiff University in July 2014 as a fellow and then lecturer in Biochemistry/ Synthetic Biology until May 2020, when he sought to spin-out Bioflares. Now he works commercialising and developing infraluciferin and luciferin-based technologies, and their applications for Bioflares.

Joanna serves as an independent advisor to Innovate UK and previously held the position of Chief Scientific Officer at CircaGene, where she patented a microbiome diagnostic for periodontitis. With over 13 years of experience in biotech innovation and R&D, Joanna is an expert in microbiomes and in vitro/digital diagnostics, drawing from her background in molecular microbiology, DNA sequencing, microbiome dysbiosis, and antimicrobial resistance. She has developed her expertise through roles in both academia and industry, including positions at Dyson, GSK, P&G, LGC, Zinc Ventures, and CARB-X. Joanna also contributed her technical expertise to the development of the WHO Essential List of in-vitro Diagnostics (WHO IVD) and managed the delivery of Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for diagnostic devices for infectious diseases. The guidelines she worked on were published on the WHO website in January 2020.

Ketaki has 15+ years of R&D experience and she’s an international expert in synthetic biology and gene editing. Her track record includes co-developing novel nucleases that compete with CRISPR technology, inventorship on several patents and IP showcases her ability to innovate and protect intellectual property, which is vital for GutSee’s competitive edge. Ketaki successfully raised $100K+ in grant funding. Dr. Mhatre’s expertise in synthetic biology and nuclease technology is directly applicable to the development of GutSee’s targeted microbiome therapy, particularly in designing the proprietary nucleases for targeted gene editing of bacteria in the gut microbiome. With her combination of scientific expertise, innovation track record, and funding experience, Dr. Mhatre is well-positioned to further develop the nuclease technology and microbiome therapy for IBS. She will play a leading role in the project, as she will oversee and support the wet lab packages and will be in charge of progress.

Yasmin Karsan is a prescribing pharmacist with over 10 years of experience in the field. She holds a PhD in community pharmacy and health systems and has worked in a variety of settings, including retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and research. Throughout her career, Yasmin has been passionate about leveraging technology to improve patient outcomes. In pursuit of this goal, Yasmin obtained a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, which has allowed her to bring a unique perspective to her work as a pharmacist. In addition to her work as a pharmacist and AI specialist, Yasmin is also the founder and CEO of a pharmacogenomics startup. Her company uses genetic testing to personalise medication therapy for patients, improving outcomes and reducing the risk of adverse drug reactions.

Lydia Konduah is the founder of Phlow, leveraging her background in industrial engineering and management with a master’s degree from the University of Dundee and a bachelor’s degree in industrial chemistry from the University of Cape Coast. Her expertise in manufacturing, particularly in the pulp and paper industries, guides Phlow’s mission to deliver sustainable sanitary solutions.

Stephen Konduah is a chemical engineering graduate from Teesside University with a specialization in chemical product formulation and development. Currently, he contributes to Phlow as a researcher and product developer, supporting the company’s efforts in creating innovative biodegradable and flushable sanitary products.

Dr. Reza Salimi is a research scientist and entrepreneur with deep expertise in molecular genetics and cancer research. As the CEO and co-founder of RS&RS Scientific, he co-leads the development of innovative therapies for small-cell lung cancer. Dr. Salimi gained extensive experience in biomedical research during his Ph.D. and postdoctoral work in Sweden, Turkey, and Belgium. His research contributions span cancer biology, cardiovascular science, and immunology, and have led to multiple high-impact publications.

Dr. Roghaiyeh Safari (Rugi) is a molecular medicine expert with over 15 years of research experience in cancer and oncologic viruses. As the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of RS&RS Scientific, she brings a wealth of expertise in leading cutting-edge scientific projects. Rugi is a recipient of the prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship and has completed three postdoctoral fellowships, working across international groups in Germany, South Korea, Belgium, Turkey, and Sweden. Her leadership skills were honed through specialized training at Imperial College London (ICL), where she continues to hold senior academic responsibilities, including co-supervision and academic tutoring. Alongside her academic work, Rugi plays a key role in advancing RS&RS Scientific’s innovative therapies for lung cancer. Her extensive industry experience includes leading a successful business exit, positioning her as a versatile leader in both scientific and business arenas.

Lynne is a dynamic leader and award-winning executive with over 20 years of experience in project management, technical leadership, and operations. She has led transformative projects, including building the UK’s largest 4G network, launching 5G, and establishing rural emergency services networks. Passionate about impactful change, Lynne brings her expertise to net-zero projects, creating and leading high-performing teams for on-the-ground results. She’s now pioneering a new journey in medical diagnostics, to bring global accessibility to DNA testing, blending innovation, sustainability, and leadership.

Maribel is a passionate scientist and entrepreneur specializing in molecular biology, genomics, and cell biology. Throughout her career, she’s led innovative diagnostic projects in Mexico and the UK in the fields of developmental biology, cancer, and infectious diseases. Maribel is deeply committed to collaborative work and strives for scientific excellence to advance healthcare through groundbreaking diagnostics solutions. With over a decade of experience in research, development, commercial, and leadership roles in both academia and industry from institutions such as the UANL, University of Manchester, Babraham Institute, Nonacus, and Qiagen, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the forefront. As founder of Simplex Molecular, Maribel’s mission is to develop cutting-edge and affordable molecular diagnostic tools to ensure global accessibility to DNA testing.

Nicolas Delalez is a highly accomplished scientist with over 20 years of experience in synthetic biology, microbiology, biophysics, and biochemistry. He holds a D.Phil. in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford, where he worked from 2009 to 2019 and made significant contributions to research and innovation. After his academic tenure, Nicolas transitioned to the industry by joining Oxsed Ltd as the Assay Development Lead, where he managed the development of molecular diagnostic tests from prototype to commercial launch. In 2023, he became the Head of Science and Innovation at 20/30 Labs Ltd, leading a team that successfully delivered several high-impact projects funded by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). A skilled leader with strong business acumen, Nicolas possesses deep expertise in diagnostics, synthetic biology, and project management, overseeing projects from design through to implementation. He has recently joined Simplex Molecular as CEO with the mission of making point-of-care DNA testing accessible to everyone.

Linh Nguyen is a co-founder of SmileScaff and a research professional at University College London (UCL). With a strong background in chemistry, Linh has received training in enterprising from institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, and the UCLB IO Lab, as well as the Aspire programs. Linh is instrumental in the development and intellectual property protection of Algibone, an innovative product that accelerates bone formation for dental implants. At UCL, Linh is engaged in research projects that bridge science and commercialization, aiming to translate cutting-edge discoveries into practical solutions. Dedicated to improving oral health and patient care, Linh combines expertise in research, business planning, and regulatory strategy to drive SmileScaff’s success.

Nuno Honrado is an experienced engineer in scaling up materials and manufacturing processes. He is a key contributor at SmileScaff, where he focuses on advancing the production of innovative dental scaffolds like Algibone. With a strong background in materials engineering, Nuno excels in translating complex research into practical, scalable solutions. His expertise ensures that SmileScaff’s products meet high standards of quality and efficiency, supporting the company’s mission to improve dental recovery processes for patients globally.

Rawan is a committed professional in the field of periodontics. She earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery in Saudi Arabia in 2014 and went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Periodontics from Malmo University, Sweden, in 2021. Currently, Rawan is a Ph.D. student at Eastman Dental Institute, where she is dedicated to advancing the field of periodontics through pioneering techniques and innovative solutions. With her academic and clinical experience, Rawan is a promising figure in the realm of oral healthcare.

Asam Rafi adds 25 years of technology sales and leadership and business experience, having significantly contributed to customer growth in both corporate and startup environment. Asam has successfully taken a start-up from Series A to Series C and is driven by a passion to fight health and environmental threats.

Lisa Rickers, with two decades of clinical NHS experience in metabolic disorders, brings experience in healthcare service design and patient engagement, coupled with expertise in behavioural science. Lisa has also contributed to clinical trials and research publications within this domain. More recently Lisa has worked in digital health within the NHS, understanding the procurement, clinical integration and digital healthcare regulations.

Insurance, technology and science specialist. In 2023 Fari won a rising star award from We Are City for her contributions to the insurance industry as a diverse female leader.

Fari is an experienced, senior change management professional. Qualified programme manager, product owner, project manager and business analyst

Fari has successfully created and led multiple teams for large insurers and brokers solving complex regulatory, process and technology challenges for global organisations.

Fari is a biochemistry graduate with over 13 years in the specialty global insurance market. Program manager and board advisor on underwriting, actuarial and regulatory change for world class insurers and brokers. Examples Marsh, Willis and Sompo.

Fari enjoys giving back through various social causes such as food banks and is a choir leader singing soprano alto.