Leadership Team
The IANA network is led by a multidisciplinary team from universities across the UK. Together, they bring scientific expertise spanning RNA biology, chemical biology, biophysics, computational modelling, bioengineering and synthetic biology.
Alongside this disciplinary breadth, the team brings experience of leading major research programmes and facilities, building academic–industry partnerships, translating research into new technologies and spin-outs, supporting researcher development, contributing to national research assessment and policy, and engaging wider communities. This complementary expertise supports the strategic, inclusive and effective delivery of the network.’
Alongside this disciplinary breadth, the team brings experience of leading major research programmes and facilities, building academic–industry partnerships, translating research into new technologies and spin-outs, supporting researcher development, contributing to national research assessment and policy, and engaging wider communities. This complementary expertise supports the strategic, inclusive and effective delivery of the network.’
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Professor Anastasia Callaghan
Network Lead | University of Portsmouth Anastasia is Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, with expertise in RNA biology and technologies for investigating RNA-based molecular interactions. Her experience spans fundamental research, pharmaceutical drug discovery and commercialisation, including co-founding a university spin-out to translate RNA research into new approaches for drug discovery. She has led and contributed to major multidisciplinary research initiatives and has extensive experience of research assessment, funding allocation, researcher development and equality, diversity and inclusion. Within IANA, she provides strategic leadership and oversees delivery of the network. She co-leads network development, equality, diversity and inclusion, and policy engagement, bringing expertise in building cross-disciplinary partnerships, research translation, funding governance and connecting network activity with wider research and innovation priorities. |
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Dr Thomas Howard
Co-Lead | Newcastle University Thomas is Reader in Synthetic and Molecular Biology, with expertise in using synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, cell-free systems and laboratory automation to develop biological pathways, biosensors and smart materials. His research combines experimental design with engineering approaches to create practical technologies for applications including molecular diagnostics, agriculture and sustainable biotechnology. He has experience of research and enterprise leadership, delivering specialist training and translating research into innovation, including work recognised through the BBSRC Innovator of the Year programme. Within IANA, he co-leads horizon scanning and leads webinars and informational interviews, bringing expertise in identifying emerging opportunities, connecting research with real-world applications and communicating across scientific disciplines. |
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Dr Agnes Noy
Co-Lead | University of York Agnes is Senior Lecturer in Physics, with expertise in computational molecular biophysics and the development of simulation tools to understand how the structure and mechanics of DNA and RNA emerge from their atomic behaviour. Her research connects computational modelling with experimental biophysics to investigate processes including DNA flexibility, supercoiling, condensation and protein recognition. She has experience of leading multidisciplinary computational research, developing early-career researchers through internship and training programmes, and convening international communities through the Ascona B-DNA Consortium. Within IANA, she co-leads networking activities, co-chairs the ECR and Technician Forum and leads peer-to-peer mentoring, bringing expertise in connecting computational and experimental communities and supporting researcher development. |
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Professor Glenn Burley
Co-Lead | University of Strathclyde Glenn is Professor of Chemical Biology, with expertise in developing molecular probes and chemical approaches to understand and manipulate gene expression. His research spans nucleic acid recognition, RNA biology, bioorthogonal chemistry and the targeted delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides. He has extensive experience of leading multidisciplinary research, translating chemical biology into potential therapeutic applications and developing sustained partnerships between academia and the pharmaceutical industry, including through the University of Strathclyde–GSK collaborative doctoral research and training programme. Within IANA, he co-leads industry engagement and leads training and placement activities, bringing expertise in academic–industry collaboration, researcher development and the translation of nucleic acid technologies |
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Professor Alice Pyne
Co-Lead | University of Sheffield Alice is Professor of Biophysics, and a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, with expertise in using high-resolution atomic force microscopy and automated image analysis to investigate how DNA structure and dynamics influence biological processes. Her research combines single-molecule biophysics, engineering and computational approaches, including the development of TopoStats for quantitative analysis of atomic force microscopy data. She has extensive experience of developing advanced imaging technologies through academic–industry collaboration, supporting specialist research facilities and contributing to microscopy and image-analysis communities. She has also been recognised through the University of Sheffield’s Inspirational Women initiative for her leadership in equality, diversity and inclusion. Within IANA, she co-leads work on equality, diversity and inclusion and networking, co-chairs the ECR and Technician Forum, and leads societal engagement. She brings expertise in inclusive community building, cross-disciplinary technology development and making complex nucleic acid research accessible to wider audiences. |
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Dr David Rusling
Co-Lead | University of Portsmouth David is Associate Professor in Bioengineering, with expertise at the interface of nucleic acid chemistry, chemical biology and molecular engineering. His research develops sequence-specific DNA-recognition tools, triplex-forming oligonucleotides and DNA nanostructures for applications in biotechnology and healthcare. He has extensive experience of scientific publishing and community leadership as an Executive Editor of Nucleic Acids Research, alongside organising conferences and developing translational research recognised through an Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard Award. Within IANA, he co-leads network development, industry engagement and opinion-led publications, and leads working groups and sandpits. He brings expertise in scientific publishing, convening cross-disciplinary communities, identifying emerging research opportunities and supporting new collaborations. |
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Professor Susan Rosser
Co-Lead | University of Edinburgh Susan is Professor of Synthetic Biology, with expertise in engineering biological systems and developing genetic tools for advanced therapeutics and biomanufacturing. Her research spans automated DNA design and assembly, pathway and genome engineering, and programming cells to produce therapeutic and industrially valuable molecules. She leads the UKRI Engineering Biology Mission Hub for Engineered Genetic Control Systems for Advanced Therapeutics, co-directs the Edinburgh Genome Foundry and holds a Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, she also has extensive experience of research translation, supporting spin-out formation and contributing to national research, policy and innovation advisory bodies. Within IANA, she co-leads horizon scanning, policy engagement and opinion-led publications, bringing expertise in major programme leadership, engineering-biology translation and connecting emerging science with industry, policy and societal priorities. |
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Chrysanthi Michelaki
BBSRC Project Officer | UK Research and Innovation Chrysanthi is the BBSRC Project Officer for IANA. As a Senior Portfolio Manager at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), she provides funder liaison and project oversight, working with the leadership team to support effective delivery, monitor progress and ensure the network meets its objectives and grant requirements. |
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Dr Maya Z Piccinni
Network Manager | University of Portsmouth Maya has a research background in molecular genetics, with experience spanning academic research and a biotechnology spin-out. Her academic work has included cell and developmental biology, using molecular and genetic approaches to investigate biological processes from gene and protein expression through to whole-model-organism phenotypes. Her commercial experience has included assay development, workflow optimisation, data quality and the biological interpretation of experimental results, giving her practical insight into how nucleic acid technologies are developed and applied. She also brings experience in laboratory management, health and safety management, accreditation and project management, coordinating research activities, working across scientific teams and supporting robust experimental delivery. As Network Manager, Maya manages the day-to-day delivery of IANA, coordinating its activities, communications, partnerships and member engagement, and translating the network’s strategy into events, funding opportunities and collaborations for the UK nucleic acids community. |
Last updated: 08 September 2026
