Sonya Towers Email & Phone Number

• Communications lead for the Women of Wellcome (WoW) network. As part of this role I lead on the WoW network communications strategy and collaborate on several network projects. • Elected to be an ECB representative for Research Funding. This role included compiling and assimilating large amounts of feedback, provided in various forms, developing suggestions and ideas in response to the feedback received and presenting feedback and suggestions to senior members in a diplomatic and… Show more • Communications lead for the Women of Wellcome (WoW) network. As part of this role I lead on the WoW network communications strategy and collaborate on several network projects. • Elected to be an ECB representative for Research Funding. This role included compiling and assimilating large amounts of feedback, provided in various forms, developing suggestions and ideas in response to the feedback received and presenting feedback and suggestions to senior members in a diplomatic and constructive manner. Show less

• Developed and launched the Outputs Management Plan (OMP) support service pilot. This involved an initial review of the OMPs submitted to Wellcome, working with various departments across Wellcome to determine how the pilot could be incorporated into existing workflows, hosting webinars to engage data stewards from organisations that Wellcome funds and the development of guidance for the review of OMPs• Regularly reviewed OMPs, submitted as part of researcher’s applications, for the… Show more • Developed and launched the Outputs Management Plan (OMP) support service pilot. This involved an initial review of the OMPs submitted to Wellcome, working with various departments across Wellcome to determine how the pilot could be incorporated into existing workflows, hosting webinars to engage data stewards from organisations that Wellcome funds and the development of guidance for the review of OMPs• Regularly reviewed OMPs, submitted as part of researcher’s applications, for the COVID therapeutics accelerator• Worked with the Early Career Researchers Advisory Board to run a Data Sharing Campaign. In this campaign we development of a number of pieces including case studies, question and answer pieces and how to guides. This resulted in the production of a data sharing information pack for early career researchers • Developed a discretionary award review process and a set of assessment criteria • Regularly reviewed discretionary award applications and worked with applicants to develop their ideas• Worked alongside the Open Research team to develop and run the Learned Societies Curation Awards. This included the development of an MoU and scheme page, meeting applicants to discuss and develop their ideas and acting as a member of the Learned Society Curation Awards shortlisting panel• Gave several talks including acting as part of a panel, at the digital science global showcase, discussing transparent research• Managed the renewal of a large grant to Europe PMC. This involved the development of an agreement, in collaboration with legal, between 30 funders and management of the application review and subsequent award • Developed and managed a virtual project for a group of summer interns• Active member of the Open Research Funders Group Show less

• Worked alongside the Open Research team to develop the Open Research Fund. This included taking on the role of Committee manager, acting as an active member of the Open Research Fund steering group and participating in the Open Research Fund shortlisting panel.• Managed the renewal of the AESA (Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa’s) platform and the DELTAS (Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science) program. This has involved assisting in the development of… Show more • Worked alongside the Open Research team to develop the Open Research Fund. This included taking on the role of Committee manager, acting as an active member of the Open Research Fund steering group and participating in the Open Research Fund shortlisting panel.• Managed the renewal of the AESA (Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa’s) platform and the DELTAS (Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science) program. This has involved assisting in the development of two board papers, planning of the required application content, a preparatory site visit and participation in the Committee site visit. • Took part in an internal audit of the India Alliance. This involved in-depth analysis of all their grants processes, by walk-throughs and document/system analysis, and the subsequent generation of a report outlining the current risks and several process changes that were required. • Worked with the communications team to produce a well-received press release detailing a grant holders latest results.• Worked on a project looking at the Research Management and Supports cost that Wellcome offers on grants to low and middle-income countries (LMIC). This included surveying a large number of research offices in a range of LMIC’s, analysis of the responses and comparison to data held on Grant Tracker. A paper was developed and presented at a Leadership Team meeting.• Mentored two now highly competent Grants Advisors and managed a summer intern. • Member of the Skills and Knowledge Exchange team which aims to better utilise and develop the talents available at Wellcome. This involved the development of a pilot study and subsequent launch of a platform on Trustnet, presenting at a range of departmental meetings to create an understanding of the platform and to generate interest, working with teams across Wellcome to develop projects, monitoring of each of the projects progress and the generation of blog pieces for the platform. Show less

University Of Sussex

• Project - Analysis of cohesin regulation during meiosis. This involved the development of several novel microscopy techniques for the analysis of cohesin in meiosis in yeast, mice and humans.• Developed strong communication and presentation skills. Presented data confidently and clearly to both smaller and larger groups (including presenting at a university symposium).• Alongside other members of the lab wrote several scientific papers. Regularly reviewed papers and grants for… Show more • Project - Analysis of cohesin regulation during meiosis. This involved the development of several novel microscopy techniques for the analysis of cohesin in meiosis in yeast, mice and humans.• Developed strong communication and presentation skills. Presented data confidently and clearly to both smaller and larger groups (including presenting at a university symposium).• Alongside other members of the lab wrote several scientific papers. Regularly reviewed papers and grants for lab members prior to submission.• Attended EMBO young investigator PhD course. This was an intense program aimed to provide training in the skills required to build a scientific career. The main focus was developing scientific writing and communication skills.• Coached several undergraduate students in both their written work and in the lab while still achieving high-level PhD work. Show less

* An essential member the GDSC microscopy development and support group.* Became highly skilled in a large number of microscopy techniques including PALM, STORM, mFISH, live-cell imaging, widefield and confocal microscopy.* Developed several image restoration and analysis pipelines

Hoffmann Lab, Gdsc

• Project - Analysis of the effect of gold compounds on cancer. This involved the synthesis of several gold compounds in the Chemistry department and the analysis of their effects on several cell lines.• Collaborated and communicated with people from different departments and levels to ensure the smooth running of the project between the biology and chemistry departments.• Compiled data from the work of several previous students to form a paper.

Lords, Wembley, Arsenal And Chelsea

• Managed a team of waiting staff and ensured the smooth running of events at venues such as Wembley international, Lords, Ascot, Arsenal and Chelsea.

• Prepared a mature student for entrance into the first year of his Chemistry degree on recommendation of senior lecturer.

London, United Kingdom

• Updated membership lists, carried out website management and assisted in the library.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Biochemistry And Molecular Biology

Activities and Societies: Running Group PhD in the Genome Damage and Stability centre developing light microscopy techniques to look.

Master'S Degree, Biomedical Imaging, Distinction

Activities and Societies: Running group, Yoga group In-depth study of advanced imaging techniques including electron microscopy, super.

Bachelor'S Degree, Chemistry, First

Activities and Societies: Running A degree that is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Developed a comprehensive range.