Cambridge-based research consultancy Oakland has expanded its team again with seven key appointments, strengthening its capability in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Biology, and its geographic reach into Japan, China, and India.
The recruits - Andrea Fitzgerald, Qingzhi Fan, Richard Ogborne, Yukie Fukatsu, Abhishek Deshpande, Sajith Wimalaratne, and Amit Nair - have impressive credentials. They all have strong backgrounds in academic research, industry, and the commercial application of technologies. They bring to Oakland an in-depth knowledge of international markets and among them speak many languages.
Andrea Fitzgerald has more than seven years of experience in consulting to global organisations both in the private and public sectors. She is experienced in innovation, due diligence, technology management and business strategy, in particular in relation to sustainability and renewable energy. She has led programmes across a number of industry sectors, including Energy, Consumer Goods, Food, Pharmaceuticals and Industrial products. Prior to her career in consulting, Andrea worked in the Oil and Gas and FMCG sectors. She has a degree in Chemistry (University of Newcastle Upon Tyne) and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (Cambridge University).
Originally from China, and educated in China, Singapore, and the UK, Qingzhi Fan brings a broad multicultural background to Oakland. She completed her first degree with first class honours in plant biology at Imperial College London. This was followed by a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Cambridge University in 2009, in which she explored the biosynthesis of two classes of antibiotics using tools from molecular biology, microbiology, and analytical organic chemistry. During her studies, Qingzhi also gained valuable commercial experience through an internship at P&G, as well as by participation in the Enterprisers Programme and the Biotechnology Young Entrepreneurs Scheme.
Following completion of his degree in Biomedical Science in 2000, Richard Ogborne worked in the bioscience research group at Unilever in Bedfordshire. In 2002 Richard undertook a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology with the MRC Human Nutrition Research Unit at the University of Cambridge, investigating the effects of antioxidants on cytoprotective gene expression in inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Richard returned to Unilever in 2005 to work on a project that exploited genomics to understand the biological regulation of consumer-relevant traits. Richard brings both academic and industrial research experience to Oakland in the fields of cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and open innovation, and has authored or co-authored seven research papers. He recently gained The Open University Professional Management Certificate and is now working part time towards an MBA. He is a chartered member of the Institute of Biology.
After graduating from Hokkaido University in Japan with a degree in Marine Biology, Yukie Fukatsu moved to Australia and gained hands-on experience as a Marine Biologist, teaching passengers about the biology of the Great Barrier Reef whilst working for Australia’s most awarded reef cruise company. She then worked for the Investment Bank of Japan before moving to the UK and working as a research assistant in the Department of Earth Sciences at Cambridge University. Yukie’s scientific background and native Japanese language skills make her a valuable addition to the Oakland team.
Abhishek Deshpande obtained a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering from Mumbai University in 2005, followed by a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology from the University of Cambridge in 2009. While pursuing his Ph.D., he developed novel Lab-On-A-Chip devices with potential applications in (Bio)chemical processing, drug delivery, and detection. As part of this work, he attended a short course at MIT on polymeric materials in 2007. Abhishek also completed a full-time internship and training programs at P&G and Indian Oil CorporationLtd., providing him with work experience in the FMCG and oil sectors.
Born in Mumbai, India, Amit Nair came to the UK in 2002 to pursue a Ph.D. in Developmental Neurobiology from the University of Cambridge. Supported by a Nehru-Cambridge Scholarship and an Overseas Research Fellowship, Amit pioneered an electrophysiological recording technique for Drosophila embryonic sensory neurons. Following his Ph.D. he pursued post-doctoral research in electrophysiology at the BBSRC-funded Babraham Institute in Cambridge. The technology transfer atmosphere of the Institute developed his interest in the commercialisation of science, and led Amit to take up a position with Oakland as a Consultant Analyst to work at the interface of science and business.
Sajith Wimalaratne graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Auckland in 2003 and immediately commenced his Masters Degree in the Food Science Programme at the Department of Chemistry. For his masters research Sajith was exploring extraction of valuable components from waste streams of the seafood industry. For his PhD studies Sajith investigated a newly developed and patented technology for its ability to inactivate bacteria in food that cause food poisoning and even death. On completing his PhD, he was employed at the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research as a research scientist, where he investigated environmentally friendly disinfestations technologies for the food industry.
Oakland Innovation Ltd - Company Registration No: 2390201
Registered Address: 328/329 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0WG