Prior to UMIF, Cathy worked in pharmaceutical research and development as an Associate Director of Chemistry at C4X Discovery, a UoM spin-out. She led multi-disciplinary teams spanning all stages of drug discovery, including project management and responsibility for intellectual property. Leadership of a pre-clinical programme that culminated in successful out-licensing to a large pharmaceutical company in a deal worth over $400m.

Cathy also brings extensive experience in academia, having completed an MSci in Natural Sciences at the University of Durham, and a PhD from the University of Nottingham and postdoctoral appointment at the University of Cambridge in Organic Chemistry.