The Team
The initial idea for OMB was sparked in the Departments of Engineering Science and Geography at the University of Oxford, and since we have formed a team combining decades of world-leading scientific knowledge with proven and successful industrial experience.
Dr. Cordelia Rampley
Chief Executive Officer
After completing her D.Phil in Engineering Sciences at Oxford with Prof. Thompson, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher with Prof. Huang, developing a new chassis for synthetic biology called ‘SimCells’ – novel cells which are unable to divide or reproduce, and are able to act as very sensitive biosensors, with the added benefit of commercial and environmental confinement of DNA. Having since completed her MBA, she is using her experience to convert the cutting edge research in OMB into commercially applicable products.
Prof. Ian Thompson
Chairman
Professor of Engineering Science (Department of Engineering Science, Oxford), Fellow of St Edmund Hall. He joined the Department in 2007 where he established the Environmental Bioengineering group. Prior to joining the University, he was the Head of Environmental Biotechnology in the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) in Oxford. His research group specialises in physical and engineering approaches for the exploitation of micro-organisms to prevent and clean up environmental contamination, and to transform waste to energy and high value products.
Prof. Paul Whitehead
Executive Director
Professor of Water Science, both in Southampton and Oxford and a Senior Fellow at St Peters College, Oxford. He has over 35 years of experience in managing 47 research projects worth £37 million. His research focuses on modelling the dynamics of nutrients and chemicals in the environment, as well as determining water quality. Paul Whitehead has also been the Managing Director of Water Resource Associates LLP (WRA) for the past 6 years. WRA is a water resource company that has been successfully operating for 23 years (see www.watres.com ).
Mr. Keith Ifould, CBE
Company Secretary
Keith has extensive experience in facilitating funding for major projects and bringing together required teams and expertise to exploit major business opportunities. This has included working with national/international government departments, private finance and commercial organisations, such as Emirates Airlines. Keith has had extensive business management experience managing £75 million construction projects for the RAF and commanding (managing) major air base with 4000 personnel. He was awarded a CBE in 2000.
Dr. Duane Ager
Scientific Consultant
Dr Duane Ager is an applied microbiologist with a background in ecological risk assessment. He has designed, operated, and monitored bioreactor systems for the aerospace and and automotive industries during his time working in the waste processing industry. He has over 20 years experience working with biosensors, particularly for testing soils and environmental samples.