What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past 12 months?

In the past 12 months, Genuity has continued its work with some of the world’s leading pharma and biotech companies, enabling them to prioritise and accelerate discovery research and development with Genuity’s curated and disease-enriched clinco-omic cohorts in the key areas of CNS, Cardiometabolic and Inflammatory Disease. 

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

There are some key attributes for a modern in-house counsel that apply across all sectors and all company types: strategic thinking, ethical leadership, collaboration, adaptability, and communication.

These attributes become even more important in the context of a genomic research company like Genuity Science operating within the life sciences sector, where the General Counsel plays a uniquely strategic and multifaceted role. Success in this position requires deep sectoral expertise across relevant regulatory frameworks, paired with a working understanding of genomic science to effectively support research and innovation. Ethical leadership is paramount, given the sensitive nature of genetic data and the societal implications of genomic research. Life sciences companies often find themselves in a lean operating environment that demands agility and resourcefulness, with the ability to manage risk pragmatically and cost-effectively.

Across all companies in all sectors, I think the most essential attribute is having a strong cross-functional influence that ensures that the General counsel and legal team are seen not as a barrier, but as trusted partners in advancing the company’s mission.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I have been very lucky to work in the area of genomic research for almost ten years. I was drawn to this sector because I believe genomic research holds the transformative potential to democratise medicine, making it more precise and inclusive and enabling research to focus on populations that have been overlooked for too long.  This shift will empower patients with earlier diagnoses, targeted therapies, and preventive strategies tailored to their unique biology, regardless of geography, background, or income. In a world where health disparities persist, genomics offers a path to equity, provided we ensure that its benefits are shared broadly, ethically, and responsibly.