Dr Millicent Stone, one of the leading rheumatologists in the UK, has been awarded a new Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence award to work with the Centre of Therapeutic Innovation (CTI) within the Department of Life Sciences.
She has an impressive track record both of impactful academic research and of entrepreneurial activity. She is the Founder and CEO of iOWNA, an award-winning company dedicated to helping people live longer and healthier lives through digital platforms that engage patients in a real-time, two-way information exchange with healthcare professionals. To date, this has provided 80-90% savings on nursing time.
Dr Stone has a significant translational research track record across multiple academic institutions alongside a background as a practising clinician, providing end-to-end expertise in therapeutics development and deployment. The new Royal Society award is for three years and will allow Dr Stone to work closely with the Centre for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI) research team.
Dr Stone’s deep expertise in delivering novel digital communication tools for investigator-led research will allow a step-change in accelerating CTI’s progress towards its core mission of improving healthcare. Better interconnectivity both within CTI and with complimentary departments across the University will generate and embed an enhanced, sustainable therapeutic innovation environment, that will draw more collaborative talent to the Centre, both in industrial and academic partnerships. Dr Stone has exceptional industrial connections that can help guide and mentor the CTI team towards fulfilling the commercial potential of their projects.
Dr Stone said: “I’m honoured to receive this prestigious award from the Royal Society and excited to start working with the Centre of Therapeutic Innovation to bring entrepreneurship into the core of its activities.”
Professor Banafshe Larijani, Director of CTI, said: “It is a great honour to have Dr Millicent Stone as the Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence for the Centre for Therapeutic Innovation. With this very prestigious award to Millicent, we aim to significantly enhance innovation opportunities for CTI, thus enhancing both funding and innovative impact for the University of Bath.”
Professor Steve Ward, co-deputy Director of CTI, added: “Millicent was a Clinical Reader in Pharmacy & Pharmacology between 2006 and 2013. It’s remarkable that a chance meeting in the Richmond Arms pub last summer has resulted in this prestigious and very timely award to enable Millicent’s return to the University. Millicent will develop an advanced digital communication tool that will assist with research and provide a roadmap for the growth of CTI’s innovation ecosystem.”
Professor Philip Ingham, Head of the Department of Life Sciences, said: “I am delighted to welcome Millicent to our department as the holder of this prestigious Royal Society award. I am sure that her vision and dynamism will make a valuable contribution, not only to the CTI but more broadly throughout the department and beyond.”
Dr Stone will take up her appointment as Entrepreneur in Residence in January 2024.