MEET THE SPEAKERS
DR LAURA MASON
Director of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Upperton
Dr Laura Mason joined Upperton in 2016 as a Project Scientist, with promotion to roles of Project Manager and Director of Business Operations, before becoming Director of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2021. Laura has previous experience within solid oral dosage form development having completed her PhD in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham, and her Pharmacy Pre-Registration Year at Merck Sharp and Dohme and Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital. Laura is a UK Registered Pharmacist, the current treasurer of the UKICRS and a member of several pharmaceutical societies. Laura is responsible for the introduction and co-ordination of the company’s R&D projects, ensuring high-quality of service for client projects.
DR MICKELLA DAWKINS
Project Manager
Biochar Demonstrator
As the Project Manager for the Biochar Demonstrator, a UKRI-funded greenhouse gas removal project, Mickella plays a key role in coordinating stakeholder engagement, and implementation strategies to explore the potential of biochar in carbon dioxide sequestration. With a background in chemistry, Mickella is passionate about innovation and environmental impact. At this International Women’s Day event, Mickella will share insights on the significance of greenhouse gas removal technologies, and the role of women in driving climate action.
CHARLLOTTE GREENHOUGH
Chemist
Lubrizol
Charllotte Greenhough is a Chemist in the Blend Test Services department at Lubrizol; a global leader in innovative, science-based solutions that enhance mobility, improve wellbeing, and enrich modern life. She earned her MChem degree in Chemistry, with an industrial placement year spent at Lubrizol, from Bristol University in 2007. Charllotte completed her final year project within the colloid group, focusing on the research of multiple microemulsions.
DR RACHEL MUNDAY
Principal Scientist
AstraZeneca
Rachel Munday is a Principal Scientist at AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, UK working in Chemical Development. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham and carried out postdoctoral studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She joined AstraZeneca in 2007 as a process chemist and now works as a specialist in catalysis and HTE.
DR LINDA H JACOBS
Vice President, Feminine Care R&D
Procter & Gamble
Linda grew up on a farm in North Lincolnshire, UK. She studied Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, graduating in 1989, and then stayed for a further 3 years to obtain her PhD in Inorganic Chemistry. Her thesis covered metal reactions and synthesis in liquid sulfur dioxide-based media. She joined P&G in January 1993 as a Products Researcher in the Bar Soaps and Personal Cleansing department in Egham, near London. After 8 years and several assignments in the UK, Linda was asked to transfer to Stamford Connecticut, USA on a temporary assignment to enable the integration of the newly acquired Clairol Beauty business into P&G. This turned into a permanent relocation in 2005. Three years later, she moved again, this time to Cincinnati Ohio, and the P&G Headquarters. During her 31 year career in P&G, Linda has worked in a wide variety of assignments across Beauty, Corporate Functions and Feminine Care businesses and is currently serving as Vice President, Feminine Care R&D. Her work has spanned consumer insights, product design and formulation, package and device development, process & scaleup and innovation capability. She has led R&D organizations in the USA, Europe, and Asia and served on numerous Business leadership teams. She has represented P&G externally in events, conferences and consortia. Linda currently lives in Hyde Park, Cincinnati with husband Rod (also a Brit) their 2 Cincinnati-born children Rebecca (14) and Lara (12) and their retired racing greyhound Roxie. She enjoys cycling, music concerts, travelling and photography.
DR ANABEL LANTERNA
Assistant Professor
University of Nottingham
Dr Anabel Lanterna is an Assistant Professor at the School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham. She did her PhD in Chemistry at the National University of Córdoba, Argentina with research stints in Johannesburg and Rhodes Universities in South Africa and the University of Valencia in Spain. She moved to a postdoc at the University of Ottawa, Canada in 2013 and in 2020 she moved to Nottingham. She has been recognised by the Inter-American Photochemistry Society (2017 Closs Postdoctoral Award), the Chemical Institute of Canada (2018 Materials Scientists recognition), and the Royal Society of Chemistry (2022 RSC ECRs Environment, Sustainability and Energy Division Prize).
An introduction and welcoming remarks from:
DR DARA O'BRIEN
Senior Business Associate
Exactmer
Dara is the person behind the Women in STEM Symposium. In 2019, Dara, along with two other PhD students, had the idea of starting a symposium dedicated to celebrating women in STEM. After the success of their first event, the symposium has been run annually by other postgraduate students at the University of Nottingham. To read more about the history of the symposium, click here.
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Dara obtained her PhD from the University of Nottingham synthesising monomers and polymers derived from terpenes, for applications in the biomaterials section. She currently works a broad road role of Business Development at Exactmer, which involves developing & maintaining commercialisation and financing strategies, client relationships, project management, IP strategy, and management.
An introduction to allyship from:
DR ANDY NORTCLIFFE
Associate Professor
University of Nottingham
Alongside his position of Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Andrew is passionate about inspiring students for careers in the sciences. From 2019 to 2022, Andrew was Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) for the School of Chemistry, chairing the EDI committee, representing the School at Faculty and University level, and leading the embedding of EDI in all aspects of working at the University, including teaching and learning. Andrew continues to work in the EDI field at the University, chairing the School of Chemistry LGBTQ+ Network and sitting on our Athena SWAN/EDI committee. Andrew is also leading our Decolonising the Chemistry Curriculum project and was named an inaugural University EDI Champion in 2023.
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Allyship plays a crucial role in pursuing a more inclusive and equitable scientific community. Chemist and EDI advocate, Andy Nortcliffe will introduce allyship and the ways to be a better ally across STEM. This talk aims to empower attendees to become better allies, fostering a culture of collaboration and respect and to inform attendees on ways to collectively contribute to a more diverse and inclusive STEM environment.