Academic

Researching

Early research in areas of bio systems thinking, long term STI policy and responsible innovation social sciences

2021-

Director, Bio SystemsMJL (Contracts)

  • Advising NZ government MBIE NZIAT on synthetic biology framework
  • Advising Malaghan Institute of Medical Research (Director Prof Kjesten Wiig) on their 2030 strategy development (setting vision, mission, key activity pillars, priority actions, outcomes and measures developed through external benchmarking and internal consultations), Ministry of Business Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE) funding plan development, and translational research capacity building. 
  • Advising MBIE funded RNA Development Platform (co-Directors Prof Kjesten Wiig and Prof Gary Evans) on translational capability building, benchmarking with global platforms, development of flagship projects and annual government reporting. 
  • Co-managed “New to firm technology adoption” report for the Food and Beverage Industry Transformation Plan for the Ministry of Primary Industries along with partner consultancy Sapere. This involved the initial proposal development, benchmarking with comparable economies, stakeholder consultations and policy research review to develop recommendations.
  • Developed a research landscape report on Pandemic Preparedness collaborations between UK & NZ for British High Commission Science and Technology Office. The research themes included in report were across health science and technology, public health capacity and strengthening health systems.

2020-

Founding Partner, Global Bio Fund (NZ, AUS, UK, US; Self-employed)

  • Conducted due diligence in health and advanced tech startup portfolio in medical devices, diagnostics, digital and AI health, and platform biopharmaceuticals. Completed Series A investment in medical devices company Baymatob in Australia in 2022.

2017-2019

Strategy Consultant, McKinsey & Company (US, IND; Full-time)

  • Co-managed the development a major interministerial policy paper for the Government of India titled “India’s Trillion Dollar Digital Opportunity”. Led engagement with mid to senior ministerial leaders across 11 ministries, as well as working with 90 industry and subject matter experts. These involved evaluations of previous policies, conducting interviews and workshops, supporting economic modelling and developing actionable recommendations

Teaching

2013-2023

Visiting Lecturer at University of Cambridge Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Victoria University of Wellington

Studying

Currently studying “Systems View of Life” by Fritjof Capra (Over 3700 participants in 100 countries have taken the Capra Course)

2020

SDGAcademyX- Age of Sustainable Development with Prof Jeffrey Sachs Columbia University

2017-2019

McKinsey and Company Capability Center mini-MBA programmes Delhi, Kobe

2011-2016

University of Cambridge (UK) – PhD in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, supervised by former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Enterprise Prof Nigel Slater

2008

National University of Singapore (SIN) – 2nd Year BTech in Biotechnology (GPA 9/9)

2007-2011

University of Auckland (NZ) – BTech in Biotechnology 1st class Honours (GPA 8.4/9) Senior Scholar as top student of the graduation year