We are a team of professionals with over 50 years of collective experiences in the fields of Education, System Rationalization, Information & Communications Technologies, Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation, Global Health Process – Life Sciences and Business Forensic Intervention focusing on developing and introducing disruptive solutions to systemic social, education and economic problems. Our projects are executed in collaboration with a host of partners across the European Union. Check out our work here: http://csicy.com/our-work/pojects2/

Traveling is like knowledge, the more you see, the more you know you haven't seen. It is very much like science, the more you dive deeper, the more you know you don't know and the more curious you become. I embraced my curiosity, love for learning, and faced my fears. I listened to people from all walks of life, and saw how many more similarities, than differences, we have with each other. People are not failures, systems are. Traveling opened up my heart, broadened my mind, and filled my life with stories to share. Solo traveling wasn't easy or pretty. Traveling broke my heart, inspired me, changed me, made me more vulnerable and patient. Travel, listen, converse, feel, fail, feel, try again, grow, repeat. No shortcuts.

As a Consultant and Business Area Manager in Imaging, I focused on data management, training colleagues in image acquisition and analysis and facilitated networking opportunities for collaboration and business development. Consulted drug programs as an Imaging Analysis expert. Trained in TIBCO Spotfire and other software packages as a member of the local data support team and became adept in handling and interpreting data. Published strategic initiatives and delivered results in the area of alternative cell models and imaging as part of R&D modernization.

As a scientist within Screening Profiling & Mechanistic Biology (SPMB) department I focused on the discovery of compounds in respiratory and inflammatory diseases and embedding new technologies within the drug discovery framework. Accustomed to generate, analyse data and effectively communicate results to multidisciplinary program teams to drive evidence-based research. Technical skills:• Cell-based culture techniques (primary cell isolation, stem cells and differentiation into various products)• Complex assay development and optimization for target validation and high-throughput screening (HTS) using specific technologies.• Developed deep expertise in specific technologies (imaging, flow cytometry, Imaging/Flow cytometry, qPCR, automation handling).• Experience in the drug discovery process from hit identification to candidate selection. • Extensive knowledge in cell death assays and data extraction from microscopy-based imaging using imaging analytics software (Definiens, Columbus, INCell)Mentoring/Coaching:• Developed young scientists who undertake industrial placement year in the department by running a scientific Journal Club for 2 years to encourage critical thinking and communication skills.• Coached a student by investing time in their career development and delivered results as part of an R&D project.

The basis of heart failure is the extensive loss of heart muscle cells. To rescue heart muscle cell numbers one strategy is the pharmacological inhibition of cell death. I identified conditions of cell death in a stem-cell derived model and proved that by inhibiting a protein (MAP4K4) using genetic technology (miRNAs) and drugs is a successful strategy for future therapy. I executed biological assays and developed image analytic tools that were later used to validate drug hits from a medium-throughput screen. I regularly presented results in meetings and became adept at problem-solving and producing results. Results were used for a scientific publication and complemented a compound patent application.

Masters in Research investigating the role of proteins in breast cancer and building tools for cardiovascular science. Awarded with Distinction.

Lab-based research and project management on colon cancer (in Prof. Alan Clarke lab). Produced results and drove research forward.

Research focus on the genetic basis of alpha-thalassaemia/mental retardation (ATR-16) syndrome. Produced results using various methodologies that disproved a hypothesis.