Head of Strategic Projects

Research Management

Has now left the Unit

Current work and interests

Rebecca is Head of Strategic Projects in the MRC Epidemiology Unit, which encompasses implementation of strategic initiatives. She left the Unit in August 2024.

Background and experience

She graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Natural Sciences, going on to complete a PhD at the University of East Anglia and a Diploma in Management with the Open University. Her research experience was in the agricultural biotechnology sector, working initially for Unilever and then Monsanto to develop genetically modified crops with enhanced agronomic and quality traits.

She transitioned to the medical research field, initially as R&D Manager at Papworth Hospital which involved implementing research governance standards and providing support for clinical trials.  Subsequently, she joined the National Cancer Research Institute, a partnership of the major research funders established to address gaps in the national portfolio and develop infrastructure for cancer research in the UK.  Here, she contributed to the development of an initiative to provide leadership and coordination in PET scanning research and also to an analysis of the barriers to the involvement of NHS histopathologists in research.

Rebecca returned to Cambridge in 2010 as the Research Manager for the Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), a UKCRC Public Health Research Centre of Excellence, before taking up her current role as Head of Strategic Projects in the MRC Epidemiology Unit.