Anji Miller, Technology Transfer Professional (Episode 74) | Anji helps take healthcare innovations from bench to bedside
For this episode of the Research Adjacent podcast Sarah is talking to Anji Miller about her career in technology transfer. Anji is currently Senior Partner for Academic Engagement at health innovation charity LifeArc.
From bench to bedside
LifeArc, Anji’s current employer, are all about helping researchers turn promising research into real-world products. The phrase Anji uses to describe this work is ‘from bench to bedside’. But this could eqully apply to Anji’s own career. Anji fell in love with science – even though it bemused her family and school careers adviser – and really found her way during an industry placement year at university. With a PhD in gene therapy and a Masters in intellectual property, a career in technology transfer was a natural fit although it hasn’t always been plain sailing.
“And I think life throws so many curve balls at you that you do change, you transform over time. And we live in a day and age where a career is not just one thing and you do that one thing until you retire. You will mature and your skills will develop. Gene therapy was science fiction not that long ago. Now it’s a reality, but we have to ensure that everyone can have access to it.”
Gaining trust
Now Anji works with researchers to help them commercialise their discoveries. At times this can be a tricky path to navigate and gaining their trust is essential.
“Academia is intellectual challenge, academic freedom – you do what you want, you publish. And then you’ve got someone else talking to you about intellectual property, patents, you don’t disclose, and these terms that they’re thinking like, what the hell?”
An important part of this work is mentoring and a fellowship programme which helps researchers develop the skills and insights they need to get their research out of the lab and into the real world.
“It could be researchers who are thinking, what do I do next? I’m here, I enjoy what I’m doing, but how can my career move along or how can I feed into doing something to really ensure that those, those who need it, get the science that I have. And it could be talking about career paths. It could be talking about skills. It could be just providing that additional voice that support, that mentorship that’s required for someone to really explore their passions.”
Be the best version of yourself
Anji has a well of self-belief that has helped her through some tough times.
“I’ve had so many disappointments and knock backs. It really does hurt. But it also causes something in me to rise even stronger and even more determined. Okay, this is what I’m going to do and I’m gonna find a way to do it.”
As a passionate advocate for schools STEM outreach, EDI initiatives and mentoring Anji clearly wants to make sure that the next generation will benefit from the role models and support that she lacked.
“So regardless of socioeconomic background, your ethnic background, anything, gender, anything, it is where you have the opportunity to be the best version of yourself, and you are encouraged to do that.”
That is a vision of the world we can all get on board with!
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Theme music by Lemon Music Studios from Pixabay
