James Connell Email and Phone Number

Current position:Therapeutics Project Lead - MND and NeurodegenerationI am the project lead within LifeArc's MND Translational Challenges LifeArc’s Translational Challenges are long term research programs focused on areas where there are complex health care issues and high levels of unmet patient need. As part of a wider neurodegeneration investment the LifeArc Motor Neuron Disease Translational Challenge (MND-TC) aims to invest £50 million to translate research into patient benefit for those affected by MND. We are working collaboratively with partners to drive innovative and ambitious research programmes to accelerate the development of disease modifying treatments, and diagnostic tools, including biomarkers, to detect and treat MND at the earliest stages.At the centre of our work is patient impact and improving quality of life with meaningful therapies whilst also empowering patients to manage their condition at home through new devices and digital toolsMy previous experience:I was responsible for the operational and scientific oversight of the Dementia Consortium at ARUK over 5 years - a Charity / Industry / Academic Alliance that aims to validate dementia drug targets and promote early stage dementia drug discovery. The Dementia Consortium partners academic scientists with up to seven industry partners to bring together world-class disease biology with drug discovery know-how to reduce the cost & risk of dementia drug discovery.The Dementia Consortium is one of ARUK's strategic alliances to increase capacity in early stage dementia drug discoveryA Principal Scientist working in early stage target validation projects using human stem cell models of dementia; PDRA at the University of Cambridge; PhD from the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London: Mechanisms of tau induced neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia (FTDP-17). Detailed understanding of diseases that cause dementia and motor-neuron disease. Biology and early stage drug discovery knowledge.2023-present - LIFEARCTherapeutics Project Lead - MND and Neurodegeneration2017-2023 ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH UKHead of Translational Science - Dementia Consortium2015-2017TALISMAN THERAPEUTICSPrincipal Scientist2005 - 2015CIMR - UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGEPost-Doctoral Research Associate2002 – 2005MRC-RFCGR,WELLCOME TRUST GENOME CAMPUSPost-doctoral scientist2002 - 2002 OXFORD BIOMEDICAPost-doctoral scientist1997 – 1998CEREBRUSNeurochemist