Judges

The 2026 Scotland’s Life Sciences Awards owe their success to the dedication, expertise, and brilliance of our judges, who represent various disciplines within the life sciences. Click on their images below to learn more about each one.

Caroline Barelle

CEO & Founder
Elasmogen

Caroline Barelle

Caroline is CEO and founder of Elasmogen, a company that discovers and develops first in class soloMER biologics for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. She has successfully led teams at Wyeth and Pfizer in Global Bio-therapeutic Technologies progressing early platform technologies to late-stage clinical development.

She has been awarded a prestigious Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowship, is a doctoral graduate from the University of Aberdeen in Biochemistry and an MBA (distinction) from Robert Gordon’s University, Business School.

Caroline is a member of the Opportunity North East Life Sciences Board, an advisor to the GVV board who are committed to investing in women’s health, a member of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre advisory Board and a member of the Scottish Government’s Technology Council. She is an honorary Professor at Queen’s University Belfast and actively contributes to BBSRC FoF and UKRI FLF review panels as well as being an FLF mentor.

She is a member of the University of Aberdeen’s External Business Advisory Group and previously sat on the Royal Society’s Science and Industry Translation Committee and is a former Entrepreneur in Residence for Queen’s University Belfast.

Dr. Jacqueline Barry

Chief Clinical Officer
Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

Dr. Jacqueline Barry

Jacqueline Barry is a senior business leader with over 20 years of experience in biologics and advanced therapies. Her career has focused on supporting the translation of research from the laboratory bench through to gaining regulatory approval and then clinical delivery. She possesses a blend of expertise across the areas of regulation, quality, Good Manufacturing Practice, science, strategy, commercial development and management.

Jacqueline holds an executive position at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, where she leads a specialist team that is dedicated to developing regulatory and translational strategies for advanced therapy products, as well as working to ensure that the wider ecosystem supports the development and adoption of these therapies in the UK and beyond. She also leads a network of advanced therapy treatment centres in the UK that aim to accelerate patient access to these transformative therapies.

Jacqueline sits on a number of national and international advisory boards. She feels passionately about making advanced therapies more widely available for patients and over her career she has worked closely with industry partners and policy makers to support the adoption of these therapies by healthcare systems.

Prior her time at Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, Jacqueline worked at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service where amongst other activities she designed the Regulatory strategy for the Cellular Therapies for the Blood Transfusion Service and acted as Qualified Person for their release.

Mark Cook

Chair
Life Sciences Scotland ILG

Mark Cook
Chair Life Sciences Scotland ILG

Chair Teachers Pension Scheme

Co Chair CSO Industry Partnership Group

Trustee Jane Moore Trust

Mark has spent 30 years in roles within the health sector including biologicals/pharmaceuticals, medical technology, consultancy and is experienced in raising funding plus has successfully led a pharma company startup to an exit.

In February 2022 Mark became Co Chair of the Life Sciences Industrial Leadership Group in Scotland, he also continues to support decision making for non-medicine technologies through membership of the Scottish Health Technology Group plus, in conjunction with the Chief Scientist Office, raises the profile for the Life Sciences Sector in Scotland.

Life Science is a sector that is actively growing, will provide careers for our population at higher than average salaries, will increase the tax base of Scotland and do societal good by bringing forward innovative and transformational changes that will improve the health of our population.

The opportunity for digital and AI innovations to drive the health and wealth of Scotland is massive and Mark sits on several groups that aim to harness this including the strategic board of CHAI (Causality in Healthcare AI Hub) and the Governemnt Startegic Unlocking The Value Of Data Group.

Current focus for the Life Sciences ILG is the refresh of the sector strategy with a 10 year revenue goal of £25 billion by 2035. The recently published UK Industrial Strategy and the subsequent UK Life Science Sector Plan gives us a base to work from to ensure that we align both with national opportunities whilst promoting our own areas of growth and expertise to the benefit of Scotland.

Prof. Dame
Anna Dominiczak

Regius Professor of Medicine and Chief Scientist (Health) for the Scottish Government

Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak

Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak DBE MD FRCP FAHA FRSE FMedSci is the Regius Chair of Medicine at the University of Glasgow and the Chief Scientific Advisor (Health) for the Scottish Government.

Recognized as a world leader in cardiovascular science and clinical academia, Professor Dominiczak held the British Heart Foundation Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Glasgow from 1997 to 2010, and served as the Director of the BHF Cardiovascular Research Centre between 2000 and 2010. Her research focuses on hypertension, cardiovascular genomics, and precision medicine, with over 550 publications in top-tier journals and an h-index of 123. She has also secured more than £100M in research funding over the past decade, including leading a major fundraising initiative with the British Heart Foundation.

Between 2010 and 2020 she was Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow. She was the driving force behind the fundraising, development and delivery of the university’s clinical academic campus at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where she led a triple helix partnership between academia, the NHS, and industry to accelerate innovation, and maximise patient benefits and economic growth.

In July 2022, Professor Dominiczak was appointed as the Chief Scientific Advisor (Health) for the Scottish Government, where she leads and coordinates health research and innovation, working in partnership with the NHS, academia and industry to develop rapid translation and adoption of transformative innovations for the Scottish NHS.

Prof. Alastair Florence

Professor at University of Strathclyde
Director of CMAC

Prof. Alastair Florence

Alastair Florence is a distinguished professor in pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Strathclyde and is Director of CMAC, providing leadership across the portfolio, engaging with key stakeholders, and driving the centre’s vision to transform the development and manufacture of medicines.

Alastair leads a number of major programs across the portfolio including the new flagship EPSRC MediForge Industry 5.0 Manufacturing Hub, Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber-physical systems (CEDAR) and the £33M UK-RPIF funded CMAC Data Lab partnership. He leads the multidisciplinary, multi-institution academic team driving ambitious manufacturing research, training, translation and facilities programs and working in close collaboration with industry partners to understand challenges and develop effective solutions across CMAC programs.

His research interests lie in the science and technology associated with continuous crystallization, physical form control and advanced characterization of pharmaceutical materials and the development of digital technologies to transform the development and manufacture of medicines.

Elaine Jamieson

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the economic and community development agency for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

HIE has been working with organisations and communities for 60 years, and today is committed to leading a net zero region with a dynamic wellbeing economy, which benefits its growing population and makes a valued contribution to Scotland. HIE’s support focuses on accelerating innovation, applying research and development and improving productivity, as well as access to property, and funding.

HIE recognises life sciences as a transformational opportunity, across human, animal and plant health. Elaine leads on the development of major strategic and business prospects in these areas and supports HIE’s broader work with communities, enterprises and stakeholders to unlock our region’s potential for growth and progress, while driving fair work and net zero practices.

Elaine is a non-executive director of the Economic Development Association Scotland.

Elaine Jamieson

Head of Life Sciences and Blue Economy
Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Steve Kerr

Department for Business & Trade
Head of Healthcare, Life Sciences & Bioeconomy

Steve Kerr

Steve’s career has encompassed working at the Scottish Office, Scottish Government, New Zealand Government (consultant) Chief of Staff Westminster, and currently the UK Government in the Department of Business and Trade (DBT). Within DBT Steve is Head of Healthcare; Life Sciences and the Bioeconomy and Leads on all Sectors engagement in North America.

Adam Liddle

Head of Sustainability
Roslin CT

Adam Liddle

Adam is Head of Sustainability with RoslinCT and brings with him almost 20 years of private and public sector experience of environmental regulation, sustainability consulting, and corporate sustainability leadership. Adam started his professional career as a chemist, later diversifying into environmental protection focusing on waste management, producer responsibility and transfrontier shipments of waste. Adam then spent 10 years in consultancy, advising private and public sector clients on strategic and technical application of resource efficiency and the circular economy, before developing and leading corporate sustainability strategies for large global businesses focused on delivering real impact for people and planet. Adam is an alumni of the University of Edinburgh, active member of the Sustainable Production Group (part of Life Science Scotland’s Industry Leadership Group) and the Climate Emergency Response Group (independent group of climate experts that inform and influence Scottish Government’s response to climate change) and has presented at various conferences and events including COP26, providing global representation for his employers. Adam is a Chartered Waste Manager, Chartered Sustainable Finance Manager, and accredited Project Manager and lives with his partner and three boys in Edinburgh, UK.

Dr. Alison McIntosh

Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange Services, Glasgow Caledonian University

Dr. Alison McIntosh

Dr Alison McIntosh is an experienced research and innovation leader currently serving as Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange Services at Glasgow Caledonian University. Appointed in June 2025, she brings a strategic and collaborative approach to strengthening the university’s research profile, partnerships, and knowledge exchange across sectors.

Previously, Alison was Director of the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA), where she led a period of significant growth and transformation. SULSA expanded its membership and greatly increased the number, breadth, and scale of partnerships. She drove national collaboration that secured major investment in research, innovation, and skills development, led the creation of major international partnerships, and scaled a national industry-led skills programme reaching thousands of students. Earlier in her career, Alison established the Edinburgh Super-Resolution Imaging Consortium (ESRIC), a cross-institutional initiative that advanced interdisciplinary research and delivered internationally recognised training and research outputs.

Alison is committed to inclusive innovation, talent development, and collaborative impact. She serves on national advisory groups including the Scottish Funding Council’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee, and continues to act as a connector across sectors to foster sustainable partnerships and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Dr Deborah A. O’Neil OBE FRSE

CEO & Founder
NovaBiotics

Dr Deborah A. O’Neil OBE FRSE

Deborah is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aberdeen-based NovaBiotics, a multi-award-winning biotechnology business with a portfolio of first-in-class solutions for unmet health and personal care needs.

Deborah chairs the boards of Opportunity North East (ONE) Life Science and BioAberdeen Ltd, supporting life science sector growth across the North East, with a focus on the commercialisation of bioscience innovation and delivery of the iconic £40 m BioHub facility. Deborah is a member of the Scottish Life Sciences Industry Leadership Group, chairs the UK’s Cystic Fibrosis AMR Syndicate steering group and sits on a number of scientific advisory boards, supporting LifeArc, the Medicine’s Discovery Catapult and Innovate UK on funding initiatives for drug discovery and development in infection, antimicrobial resistance and chronic respiratory disease. Deborah recently joined the Board of Trustees of CLAN (Cancer North East Networks), was previously a board member of the BIA and one of the founding directors of the BEAM Alliance.

Deborah obtained her PhD in immunology from UCL and then worked in postdoctoral positions in internationally acclaimed laboratories in San Diego, Ghent and Aberdeen. She was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2018 and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. In 2020, Deborah was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, for services to biotechnology, industry and charity. In 2022 she received an Honorary Doctor of Science from Robert Gordon University for services to science and business and in 2023 was made Honorary Professor of the University of Aberdeen’s School of Business.

Martin Sutcliffe

Head of Agri-Systems (Interim)
UK Agri-Tech Centre

Martin Sutcliffe

Martin Sutcliffe is the Innovation Lead for Aquaculture at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, Martin comes with a strong background in sustainable development within the aquaculture sector.

Passionate about marine environments, Martin has extensive experience in public aquariums, commercial aquaculture, and community-led projects. He has successfully delivered over 80 grant-funded initiatives and spearheaded the Dorset Mariculture Strategy.

Martin led the development of the concept for an Aquaculture Innovation Hub for England. The Hub is designed to develop a sustainable, thriving and diverse aquaculture sector in South West England and beyond.

Martin chaired the South West Aquaculture Network (SWAN) from its inception to January 2024, advancing innovation and cross-sector collaborations to promote a thriving aquaculture industry in the UK and beyond.

Jonathan Williamson

Global Commercial Director
SCION Instruments

Jonathan Williamson

Jonathan Williamson is a senior commercial leader with 15 years of experience in the Life Sciences and Medical Technology sectors. He served as Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Emblation, a global leader in medical microwave technology, where he led international expansion efforts, developed the company’s commercial strategy, and oversaw global marketing execution. Under his leadership, the company scaled globally and successfully entered new markets across Europe and the US.

He is currently the Commercial Director at SCION Instruments, a global provider of scientific instrumentation with applications across the Life Sciences, Petrochemical, and Environmental sectors.

Jonathan holds an MA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, a Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and a Master’s in Strategy and Innovation from the University of Oxford. He is an active contributor to the UK life sciences ecosystem, has mentored early-stage companies and founders, and is a regular participant in panels and strategic advisory boards.

Judges

Caroline Barelle

Dr. Jacqueline Barry

Mark Cook

Prof. Dame
Anna Dominiczak

Prof. Alastair Florence

Elaine Jamieson

Steve Kerr

Adam Liddle

Dr. Alison McIntosh

Dr Deborah A. O’Neil OBE FRSE

Martin Sutcliffe

Jonathan Williamson

When & Where

Contact

Produced by

Judges

Caroline Barelle

Dr. Jacqueline Barry

Mark Cook

Prof. Dame Anna Dominiczak

Prof. Alastair Florence

Elaine Jamieson

Steve Kerr

Adam Liddle

Dr. Alison McIntosh

Dr Deborah A. O’Neil OBE FRSE

Martin Sutcliffe

Jonathan Williamson

Prof. Dame
Anna Dominiczak