AMS Cross-Sector Event 11/7/24 – Speakers
Julie Hepburn
Following successful treatment for bowel cancer 10 years ago, I now spend much of my time on public involvement for health research, primarily related to cancer. My duties include giving strategic advice to governance groups, sitting on trial management Groups, writing patient facing documentation, assisting with dissemination of results and reviewing research proposals for funding panels. In addition, I have been a member of several groups drawing up policies and strategies for improving Early Cancer Diagnosis. I am currently the Lay Lead Research Partner for both the Wales Cancer Research Centre and the Cardiff Experimental Cancer Medicines Centre and also a member of the Cardiff Clinical Trials Unit Cancer Steering Committee and the Advanced Therapies Wales Board.
Jason Lintern, MSc - Advanced Health and Care Management (Innovation & Transformation)
A Health Innovation Lead at Welsh Government with more than 37 years’ experience of translating government policy into operational delivery in Wales, Jason is a proven strategic leader with a broad skill set and extensive experience of delivering across the public, private and third sectors where he has played a part in transforming services and delivering new ways of working. Having led the Welsh Government’s operational policy and delivery programme for health and care innovation and life sciences, Jason was the design lead for the All-Wales Intensive Learning Academies programme established in partnership with Welsh Universities during the Covid-19 pandemic, this flagship programme and its institutions are the first of their kind globally to offer dedicated qualifications that focus on value-driven innovation and transformation for senior and next generation system leaders working across government, industry, health and social care.
Jason is passionate about people and bringing together communities of practice that can collaborate and work in partnership to addressing inequalities in health and care.
Sian Morgan FRCPath – Consultant Clinical Scientist & Laboratory Director, All Wales Medical Genomics Service
A Consultant Clinical Scientist and Laboratory Director of the All Wales Medical Genomics Service, Sian is responsible for the rapidly expanding diagnostic genomic service. With 33 years of experience Sian has overseen and led on strategic relationships and alliances leading to improved diagnostic pathways for Rare Disease, Cancer and Pharmacogenomics.
Sian is a co-lead of the multi-award winning QuicDNA project. The QuicDNA project, initiated in early 2023, focuses on integrating non-invasive ctDNA testing into the lung cancer diagnostic pathway. Through analysing a simple blood sample, liquid biopsies offer a less invasive and faster alternative to traditional tissue biopsies genomic testing. This method speeds up diagnosis and treatment decisions, aiming to improve patient outcomes and survival rates.
Dr Magda Meissner – Medical Oncology Consultant
Dr Magda Meissner is a Medical Oncology Consultant at Velindre Cancer Centre, holding the position of Clinical Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University. Additionally, she serves as the Clinical Liquid Biopsy Lead at All Wales Medical Genetics Laboratory (AWMGS). Formerly, she held the role of Cancer Research UK Clinical Trial Fellow at the Centre for Trials Research at Cardiff University and was awarded a Clinical Research Fellowship by the Welsh Cancer Research Centre, based at the early phase clinical trials unit in Velindre Cancer Centre. Dr Meissner also holds the role of Precision and Mechanistic Oncology CReSt Theme co-lead.
During her PhD studies focusing on ctDNA analysis in treatment-resistant breast cancer patients, Dr Meissner participated in the Cardiff University Future Leaders in Cancer Research program, enabling her to engage in competitive courses in clinical trial design involving biomarker testing. Currently, she co-leads with Sian Morgan on the QuicDNA study, a pioneering project investigating the use of non-invasive liquid biopsy(ctDNA) for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. This study is supported by substantial grants from Health and Care Research Wales, Moondance Cancer Initiative, Craig Maxwell fund, and multiple commercial grants.
Dr Elizabeth Sharkey, Lung Health Check Team
Elizabeth is a Specialty Doctor in Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB, having completed her Internal Medicine Training in August last year, prior to going on to complete Specialty Training in Palliative Medicine.
Elizabeth is currently working with a team based between CTMUHB, Wales Cancer Network with support of industry and charity colleagues to deliver a pilot of Lung Health Checks. Working with identified GP surgeries in North Rhondda, the pilot programme will aim to offer a lung screening scan to around 500 patients. If suitable, patients will be invited to attend for a low-dose CT lung screening scan.
Gabriel Lambert, Director of Clinical and Commercial Development
Gabriel is an entrepreneur and medical doctor, qualifying from the University of Cambridge in 2016. He has six years' experience working as a doctor in the NHS. His current role is Director of Clinical and Commercial Development at TidalSense. This sees him manage the company’s growing series of clinical studies, lead the clinical evaluation of TidalSense’s medical devices, and develop new partnerships with NHS and other stakeholders.
Annie Dahl: Innovation Manager – Partnerships, Macmillan Cancer Care
Annie is the Innovation Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, focusing on partnerships and impact investment. Annie uses her experience from a career in the third sector to bring expertise in tech and healthcare to ensure the charity works with relevant stakeholders across companies, statutory bodies, and charities.
Adam Bryant, CEO & Founder – CanSense
As the CEO of CanSense, Adam is dedicated to transforming lives through the early detection of cancer. With a recent and personal experience of his own cancer diagnosis, Adam is uniquely positioned to comprehend the needs of individuals beyond their roles as patients.
Transitioning from investment banking six years ago, Adam has immersed himself in the health tech industry, gaining the required understanding of the landscape, including the regulatory pathway—an essential aspect of the business. With experience as a Principal Investigator and a PhD in Theoretical Physics, he has presented at various Parliamentary APPG meetings.
Adam has developed an extensive network across the healthcare industry, including universities, AHSNs, cancer charities, healthcare providers, health tech investors, as well as large corporate partners within the healthcare industry.