03/07/2025
What does it mean to have a career that spans academia, industry, and innovation — and still be grounded in making a difference to real people?
In a recent episode of the Research Adjacent podcast, Babraham Research Campus’s own Louise Jopling, Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer, sat down with host Sarah McLusky to share the story of her career — and her deep belief in the impact life science can have on patients, families, and society.
Louise’s journey began, as many do, with a change of plans. Originally set on becoming a vet, she instead found herself drawn to immunology and parasitology — fascinated by the ways parasites evade the host immune system. After academic research roles in Edinburgh and Boston, she transitioned into industry, working on pioneering drug development programmes. One standout moment? Helping to launch Stelara, a biologic for psoriasis — a breakthrough that still gives her “goosebumps” today.
“The impact you could see on patients’ lives – their quality of life, their families, their social connections – it stays with you,” she said. “I still feel that now.”
After more than a decade in commercial roles, Louise took on a new challenge: bridging the gap between science and application. At Health Innovation East, she helped companies – from small medtech startups to multinationals – shape their value propositions and bring health technologies to the NHS faster. It’s a thread that continues today in her dual roles at Babraham: supporting early-stage biotech ventures as they navigate growth, and helping researchers at the Babraham Institute explore the commercial potential of their discoveries.
As Entrepreneur in Residence, Louise works closely with Institute scientists to identify promising opportunities and accelerate their translation. And as CSIO for the Campus, she acts as a connector – supporting startups with everything from data readiness to investor introductions.
“Founders often face a lonely journey,” she said. “If I can be a sounding board or help remove a barrier, that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning.”
A key part of what makes the Campus special, Louise said, is the unique mix of research excellence, infrastructure, and community – including access to core scientific facilities and shared spaces that foster serendipitous connections.
“It’s a melting pot. That central café is where people meet, ideas get sparked, and collaborations begin.”
Reflecting on her path, Louise was refreshingly honest: “It’s tempting to make your career sound like it was all perfectly planned out from the start — but let’s be honest, most of it wasn’t. And that’s OK.”
Her advice to others navigating careers in science, research, or innovation? Be curious. Stay open. And never lose sight of the human impact of what you do.
Listen to the full episode or read the transcript HERE!