Meet the team

Emma is a microbiologist and the author of several publications on the subject. In 2016 Emma and Jeroen were awarded a Discovery Award from the Longitude Prize and NESTA to develop an affordable diagnostic tool to combat antibiotic resistance. This award provided the funding that has resulted in the development of Llusern’s UTI test panel and Lodestar DX platform.

Emma is known for her passion for addressing inequalities in both healthcare and the gender balance in STEM businesses. This conviction has seen her make regular appearances at speaking engagements, on podcasts and even national press, TV and radio, including Woman’s Hour on Radio 4.

In 2022 Emma was the recipient of Innovate UK’s prestigious Women in Innovation Award.

emma@llusern.co.uk

Jeroen is a molecular geneticist who received his PhD from the Radboud University in Nijmegen, The Netherlands in 2004. He was then awarded a European Marie Curie Fellowship to work at the University of Cambridge in the Institute of Biotechnology.

Jeroen has over two decades experience in developing and using molecular technology in fundamental and applied research. Jeroen co-leads many of Llusern’s research and product development projects and is responsible for quality management and regulatory compliance.

jeroen@llusern.co.uk

Ali is a Professor in Biomedical Engineering with a first-class degree in Electronic Engineering and a PhD in computer science from Queen’s University of Belfast on research looking at applying machine learning to quantitative pathology and cancer diagnosis.

Previously he headed the Electronics Department at the University of South Wales for 5 years, and was a director of the Centre for Electronic Product engineering (CEPE), a commercial consultancy unit working with client across industry.

In addition to his technical expertise around electronics, signal processing and pattern recognition – an area in which he has published over 70 research papers – Ali is passionate about enterprise and real-world innovation and has been teaching business and project management, leadership and product innovation for many years.

ali@llusern.co.uk

Martyn is a senior business professional who joined Llusern in 2022. He has an extensive background in business development, marketing and sales, after a career that started in travel before moving into the world of marketing agencies, retail and ultimately medical diagnostics.

Martyn leads on Llusern’s commercial activities including distribution strategy, marketing and communications and anything that requires a spreadsheet.

martyn@llusern.co.uk

Ayako is a Research Scientist who worked as a Senior Research Assistant at the University of South Wales for eight years prior to joining Llusern.

Before joining USW Ayako worked at Pfizer UK as a Clinical Research Associate and at the Max Planck Institute in Germany where she undertook molecular biology research.

ayako@llusern.co.uk

Dewi graduated from the University of South Wales with a degree in Applied Bioscience in 2023. Dewi manages Llusern’s assay production and assists Jeroen and Ayako with R&D.

He is a natural problem solver and a never-ending source of very good ideas.

dewi@llusern.co.uk

Andrew is a property developer and investor. He is a Director of Fastnet Property Investment as well as Llusern Scientific.