PhD researchers in the University of Westminster School of Life Sciences (SLS) participated in a collaborative workshop with science industry start-ups, which exposed them to the commercial side of scientific research and helped to expand their network.
Co-organised by Dr Kurtis Edwards and Dr Polly Hayes from Westminster’s SLS, in collaboration with the Institute of Healthy Urban Living, the workshop was attended by PhD researchers from the Westminster Graduate School and representatives from early-stage start-ups in the life sciences industry.
The group worked together to solve real-world commercial problems as a team and find innovative solutions from both sides. Groups then presented their strategies to the room at the end of the session, which provided an opportunity for further discussion and feedback. After the presentations, there was a networking session for researchers to make industry contacts and exchange knowledge with innovators in the sector.
By providing researchers with the opportunity to cross boundaries between academia and industry, this event highlights the University’s commitment to breaking barriers in research, as outlined in its Research and Knowledge Exchange 2022-2029 strategy, and helps to foster connections for future collaborative research.
One industry participant was Dr Hassan Morad, Lecturer in Immunology at Westminster and Co-founder of the new biotechnology company Imphatec. He said: “The workshop run with the University of Westminster was a fantastic chance to connect with PhD researchers and help them explore how they could commercialise ideas stemming from their ground-breaking research. This event filled a niche for students who are entrepreneurially minded and allowed them a space to express their ideas.”
Solome Kebour, Westminster Human Nutrition BSc Honours alumna and founder of Calominder, a start-up which builds wearables for improving nutrition and sports performance, commented: “I would definitely attend similar events. I got some useful suggestions and really enjoyed hearing their thoughts. Every single person was asking questions and looking for solutions.”
About the event, co-organiser Dr Kurtis Edwards, Research Fellow in cancer biology, said: “At our recent workshop, we brought together two powerhouses of innovation: doctoral researchers and life sciences start-ups. The event provided a platform for researchers to explore the demands of the life sciences industry, gaining invaluable insights into real-world applications of their expertise. Simultaneously, startups benefited from access to fresh talent and new academic perspectives. Academia-industry partnerships are important for driving the future of life sciences, and we look forward to more of these events in the future.”
This event directly contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about doctoral research at the University of Westminster.
To find out how start-ups and companies can get involved in future events, contact the School of Life Sciences team.
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