Dr. Duncan Purvis, CSO

Duncan was a senior consultant at Scientific Generics in the Life Science Group for 10 years. Duncan was contracted to assist Sensortec with the development and commercialisation of their technology early 2000. He joined Universal Sensors in September 2003.

His expertise covers a wide range of disciplines covering the interface of biology physics and engineering. Development of emerging medical diagnostic technologies, such as Lab-on-a-chip and various biosensors and analysis of their potential markets. He has also been involved with electrobiology including inter alia electrical DNA denaturation technology, dielectrophoresis (DEP) and travelling wave field migration (TWFM).

 Dr. Olga Leonardova, Project Co-ordinator

Olga started her career as a chemist at the prestigious Russian Flight Research Institute and later joined one of the biggest biotech companies in Russia working as Head of the Diagnostic Department developing and commercialising the first Russian ELISA kits for HIV. Before joining Universal Sensors she worked for a Canadian pharmaceutical company assisting in technology transfer and industrial scale up of contractual drug manufacturing.

Olga is one of the original authors of the technology and has been with Universal Sensors from day one

Olga has a wealth of experience and a comprehensive understanding of all parts of sensor technology combined with extensive experience in development of various types of assays and practical knowledge of GMP/GLP

  Dr Peter Swarbrick, Product Manager

Peter is a Biotechnology Manager with over 14 years experience working with early stage Biotech companies, focusing on developing and commercialising novel technologies. After receiving a PhD in Immunogenetics from New Zealand he set up a commercial DNA Parentage Testing system for valuable livestock. He then helped develop and manage Incyte Pharmaceuticals high throughput Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) discovery system. More recently, at SmartBead Technologies, he led the development of a novel automated microparticle based multiplexed assay system for use in clinical diagnosis of AutoImmune disease

  Dr Ian Beech, Senior Assay Development Scientist

Ian is a molecular biologist with 10 years of laboratory experience who joined Universal Sensors in 2008. Previously he has worked at the Health Protection Agency in the development of vaccines against tuberculosis and bacterial meningitis, gaining experience of laboratory management up to ACDP level 3 . Ian has spent the last 3 years in assay development in the private sector where he managed projects concerned with heart disease, multiple myeloma and celiac disease.

  Sara Holden, Research Assistant

Sara has 25 years experience working in accredited analytical laboratories to GLP/GMP standards taking part in QM/QC trials. She has worked in the food, water and dairy industries using technologies such as ELISA, PCR, SPR and IPC. Prior to that she conducted research in food immunoassay with a focusing on wheat quality. Sara is a graduate of the open university

 Olga Szymczykowska-Kapinos, Research Assistant

Olga graduated from Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences with a Master Engineer Degree in Biotechnology of Food. She joined Universal Sensors in March 2007. Olga has been able to apply her skills to develop a working knowledge of sensor and assay technology. She is currently working on the characterisation of new sensor formats.

 Sharon Bridgeman, Facilities and Office Manager

Sharon has several years experience working within the laboratory and has gained valuable expeience  at Ciba Geigy within the technical support department. Sharon has previously worked for a medical device company where she gained experience in phase I and II clinical trials. This broadened her skill base and it was here she divided her time between business development and clinical /lab work.

Sharon has spent two years working in the Electronic Materials business prior to joining Universal Sensors in 2004.