Scientific research at the University of Nottingham is set to benefit from industry expertise with the appointment of a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence.
This is the first time the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Science has hosted a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence. Martin Whitaker will be advising the ‘Faculty of Science Innovation Hub’ project that will provide a focus for helping academic staff to engage with industry and the commercialisation of research.
Martin is one of twenty entrepreneurs, senior scientists and business leaders from across 19 universities and institutions who have been awarded a place on the Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence scheme. He will work with the University of Nottingham team to generate an entrepreneurial culture across the Faculty of Science leading to increased levels of intellectual property innovation and industry relevant skills.
Martin is a University of Nottingham alumnus, completing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Science here and since then has gained over 20 years’ experience working in the pharmaceutical industry. Two of his products have been approved worldwide for the treatment of rare diseases of cortisol deficiency. Prior to this, Martin was Operations Director of Critical Pharmaceuticals Limited, a venture capital-backed drug delivery company spun out of the University of Nottingham developing long-acting growth hormone products. Martin is also that 2023 winner of the prestigious Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences award for innovative science.
“There is an urgent need in both industry and academia for individuals who possess the skills needed to turn research into successful business. I will aim to help researchers do that within the Faculty of Science and will be using my knowledge and skills to accelerate the translation of projects from lab to industry.”
-Martin Whitaker
The Faculty of Science Innovation Hub will enhance the commercialisation of research and generate industry partnerships and new ventures to help tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our society and the world today. Martin will help to build a network with industrial partners, channelled through a single portal – the Innovation Hub – that matches the commercial unmet needs in the relevant industrial sectors with the ability to address these needs through research, expertise and capabilities available within the Faculty.
“We’re delighted to be welcoming Martin as our first dedicated Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence for the Faculty of Science. There is so much ground-breaking research happening across the Faculty it will be hugely beneficial to have access to the expertise we need to help translate it to industry.”
-Professor Trevor Farren, project lead at the University of Nottingham
Through the scheme, Royal Society Entrepreneurs in Residence are funded to spend one day a week with the partner institution. The scheme has funded 101 placements in 46 universities across the UK since it was established in 2018.
