External Advisory Board
The IANA External Advisory Board (EAB) provides independent strategic advice and constructive challenge to the Network Leadership Team. It reviews the network’s direction, activities, progress and impact, and informs the development of future priorities.
EAB members bring experience of leading research and innovation networks, developing and commercialising technologies, translating research into products and services, scaling up manufacturing, securing investment and responding to the needs of industry, policymakers and end users across health, biotechnology, agriculture and biosecurity. Their collective perspectives help the network remain responsive to emerging opportunities and to the practical challenges involved in turning nucleic acid research into real-world applications.
The EAB meets twice yearly and operates under agreed terms of reference.
EAB members bring experience of leading research and innovation networks, developing and commercialising technologies, translating research into products and services, scaling up manufacturing, securing investment and responding to the needs of industry, policymakers and end users across health, biotechnology, agriculture and biosecurity. Their collective perspectives help the network remain responsive to emerging opportunities and to the practical challenges involved in turning nucleic acid research into real-world applications.
The EAB meets twice yearly and operates under agreed terms of reference.
Current Board Members
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Professor Mark Leake
Chair | Director, Physics of Life Network Mark has extensive experience bringing together researchers from different scientific communities to address complex challenges. As Director of the Physics of Life Network, he brings insight into building inclusive communities, identifying opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration and developing activities that create lasting connections across disciplines. He is also an Anniversary Professor of Biological Physics at the University of York, where his research applies single-molecule imaging and biophysical methods to understand processes including DNA replication, repair and topology. |
Dr Femke van den Berg Science Lead in Quantitative Approaches | Fera Science Femke develops modelling and decision-support tools for agriculture, plant health and biosecurity, working closely with scientists, policymakers, regulators and end users. Her work supports risk assessment, evidence-informed policy and the practical deployment of new approaches. She is also a Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University. She brings an applied, policy-facing perspective focused on ensuring that emerging technologies address real-world needs and can be implemented effectively. 
Dr Liz Fletcher Director of Impact and Deputy CEO | Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre Liz helps shape the strategy and delivery of the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, connecting companies, researchers and government to accelerate biotechnology innovation and commercialisation. Her work spans partnership building, access to funding and scale-up capabilities, skills development and wider bioeconomy growth. She brings strategic insight into building effective innovation ecosystems and translating collaborative research into commercial, economic and societal impact. 
Paul Oladimeji Chief Technology Officer | YouSeq Paul works at the forefront of molecular diagnostics, with expertise in quantitative PCR, multiplex testing and diagnostic assay development. His experience spans the development, validation and commercialisation of nucleic acid-based tests, including their translation into reliable products that can be manufactured, adopted and used effectively by diagnostic laboratories. He brings insight into product and technology strategy, laboratory workflows, market needs and the practical challenges of delivering scalable molecular diagnostics. 
Dr Tim Craggs Founder and CEO | Exciting Instruments Tim is a single-molecule biophysicist and entrepreneur whose work focuses on using advanced fluorescence methods to study the structure, interactions and dynamics of biomolecules, including DNA and RNA. As Founder and CEO of Exciting Instruments, he is translating specialist single-molecule technologies into accessible benchtop instruments and analysis tools for life science research, drug discovery and diagnostics. He brings insight into scientific instrument development, technology adoption and the challenges of turning sophisticated research methods into reliable, user-friendly commercial products. |
Dr Hassan Mahmudul Investment Manager | Future Planet Capital Hassan invests in early-stage science and technology companies through the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund, with a particular focus on engineering biology and experience spanning biotechnology, therapeutics, diagnostics, agritech and food technology. His work involves assessing emerging technologies, their commercial potential and the capabilities required to develop them into scalable businesses. Drawing on experience as both an investor and a technology company founder, he brings the Board insight into investment readiness, commercial strategy, company growth and the factors that enable research-led ventures to attract funding and achieve impact. 
Dr Louis Diorazio Senior Principal Scientist, New Modalities | AstraZeneca Louis has extensive pharmaceutical industry experience spanning small molecules and new therapeutic modalities. Within AstraZeneca’s Chemical Development group, his work includes developing manufacturing processes for oligonucleotides and supporting their progression from discovery towards clinical and commercial production. He brings insight into process development, scalability, sustainability and the practical challenges involved in turning nucleic acid-based therapeutic concepts into robust and commercially viable medicines. 
Dr Philip Probert Director of Biologics and RNA Centre of Excellence | CPI Philip leads CPI’s work supporting the development, scale-up and manufacture of novel biologics and RNA vaccines and therapeutics. His experience spans process development, GMP manufacturing and technology transfer, helping organisations progress promising technologies from research towards clinical trials and commercial application. He brings insight into manufacturing readiness and the expertise, infrastructure and quality systems required to translate emerging nucleic acid technologies into scalable and robust products. |
Last updated: 14 September 2026
