Our people
Meet the expert team helping take your idea to market
We are innovators ourselves: scientists, academics and industry experts from a wide range of specialisms, which reflect the diversity of UCL’s academic disciplines.
Whatever your specialism at UCL, we have the right person to explore it with you. We build exceptional relationships, grounded in trust and understanding, and use our commercial acumen and skill to get the deal done - and to get it done in the best way.
Our independent Board
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of UCL, we’re able to act completely independently. We have a separate Board, comprising experts who have built successful businesses themselves and understand the worlds of venture capital and academia.
A highly experienced team with a specialist approach
Recruited from diverse backgrounds, our Business Managers bring commercial acumen, technical knowledge and creative problem-solving to really understand your technology, idea or invention and find its best route to market.
We also provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary in-house support from legal, marketing and IP protection to business strategy and project management, ensuring every idea gets the right focus at the right time
Our people
Gemma Jackson
Head of Facilities & Office Administration
Gemma leads workplace operations, facilities management, health and safety, and senior leadership support, while developing and managing the admin support function across the company.
Dr Caitriona O'Rourke (Away from office)
Senior Business Manager
Dr O'Rourke has worked as a research associate on tissue engineering, drug delivery, regenerative medicine and stem cell biology. Her PhD looked at tissue engineering and her MSc in neuropharmacology.
Dr Weng Sie Wong
Senior Business Manager
UCL Hawkes Institute
Dr Wong brings extensive experience of all aspects of university technology transfer activities from strategic IP management to licence negotiations and spinout formation.
Ana Lemmo Charnalia
Business Manager
Centre for Digital Humanities
Ana supports SHAPE and social ventures, drawing on social investment, venture support and entrepreneurship experience. She managed the Health Social Innovators’ Programme and holds an MBA from Oxford.
Dr. Alireza Sadeghi
Business Manager
Biochemical Engineering
Dr. Sadeghi supports materials, engineering and sustainability commercialisation, drawing on deep-tech, startup and VC experience. He holds a Chemical Engineering PhD and is a Chartered Engineer.
Paul Evans
Business Manager
Computer Science
Paul supports engineering, computing and AI platforms, drawing on 20+ years in semiconductors, SaaS and founder leadership. He holds a first-class BEng in Digital Electronic Engineering.
Dr. Adam Hajjar
Senior Business Manager
UCL School of Pharmacy
Dr. Hajjar supports School of Pharmacy technologies, bringing 30+ years’ IP and commercialisation experience, including time at BP. He holds a BSc in Microbiology and a PhD in Biochemistry.
Dr. Cosetta Bertoli
Business Manager
Cancer Institute
Dr. Bertoli, a cancer specialist, handles IP protection and commercialisation of UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust technologies. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and Technologies.
Dr. Eleanor Barlow
Associate Business Manager
Dr. Barlow supports deep-tech research translation, combining applied R&D, materials and therapeutics experience. She holds a first-class MChem and recently completed a PhD.