Anike Te, Chief Strategy Officer for international materials company Lucideon, has joined the Bristol BioDesign Institute as an Aegis Professor in Engineering Biology. This prestigious appointment strongly aligns with our vision to be leading innovators in biomolecular and biosystems design and their translation, and for Bristol to be an internationally recognised centre in engineering biology.
Anike has experience in identification and adoption of new technologies into industry in healthcare, energy, construction, aerospace and ceramics in an international context. She has recently focused on the potential of synthetic biology to unlock sustainable, next generation materials.
Anike has also accepted a position on the Scientific Advisory Board for our UKRI-funded Bristol Centre for Engineering Biology, BrisEngBio, which was established to accelerate the translation of discovery synthetic biology research to address global challenges and boost the UK’s bioeconomy.
Anike will work across our portfolio of synthetic and engineering biology projects, surfacing and supporting the translation of novel therapeutics, diagnostics and materials. She will advise on the growth of our industrial networks to include new industries and new geographical regions, and mentor our new entrepreneurs.
The Aegis Professorship scheme was set up by the Science Partnership Office at the University of Bristol. In the scheme, visiting professors, who are leaders in their professional field, bring their up-to-date experience of work into academia. Through guidance and mentorship they facilitate joint working between researchers and external organisations such as industry and government.
Carmen Galan, Professor of Organic and Biological Chemistry and BrisEngBio Co-Lead for Innovation and Partnerships, said: “Working with Anike is a clear statement of our intention to work with industry to accelerate the translation of discovery synthetic biology research for real world benefit. The networks and expertise that Lucideon unlock for us aligns closely with our newest Bristol BioDesign Insititute research theme in Engineering Living and Sustainable Composite Interfaces.”
Imre Berger, Professor of Biochemistry and BrisEngBio Co-Lead for Innovation and Partnerships added: “Anike’s extensive expertise in establishing and leading international industrial networks will be a vital asset to accelerate new and potentially highly valuable projects that could evolve into transformative spin-outs and impacts. Having an external senior industrialist dedicate time to translation of research technologies is extremely valuable and Anike will be a perfect fit for this.”
Commenting on her appointment, Anike said: “It is a great honour to join the University of Bristol as an Aegis Professor in Engineering Biology. It’s a great opportunity to bring together academia and industry in an innovative, collaborative approach.”
“Lucideon is becoming increasingly involved in synthetic and engineering biology. It’s a very exciting area of science, which touches on many industries and technologies, and creates solutions to real-world issues, both in the UK and internationally.”