Team

Angela

BVetMed, MRCVS, Cert.LAS, PTLLS

Managing Director

Angela graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1995, being awarded the Waltham medal for the best final year elective project involving a laboratory animal science study. On graduation, Angela worked in small animal veterinary practice for the PDSA animal charity in east London as a general small animal practitioner for 6 years.

She then joined Imperial College London in 2001, as deputy Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) and was appointed as NVS in 2003, leading a team of 4 veterinary surgeons to share best practice and promote the 3Rs.

As head of training, she was responsible for monitoring and developing training programmes at Imperial College. This involved the direction and participation in mandatory UK Home Office Modules. In fifteen years as a NVS, she has worked tirelessly to harmonise course content, facilitate veterinary/researcher collaboration and promote and enable the practical uptake of the 3Rs. Angela was the recipient for the 2015 3Rs lifetime achievement Provosts’ award for excellence in animal research at Imperial College. In 2017 Angela joined Learning Curve (Development) Ltd as Executive Director, a provider of high-quality training and CPD for staff in the biomedical field. Angela’s ability to provide exceptional teaching has consistently received excellent feedback from students. She particularly enjoys the creative aspect of teaching; sourcing new materials, devising interactive programmes, developing new methods of keeping learners engaged and interested. She took over responsibilities as Managing Director in August 2022.

Angela has served on LASA Council for 4 years: including 3 years as a Trustee, Chair of LASA’s Scientific Programme and Vice-President. She particularly enjoyed the challenges of planning cutting-edge scientific content of the meetings, whilst extending delegate numbers, making the science more accessible and ensuring compliance with the Nolan Principles. Angela is also a member of the LASA Education, Training and Ethics Section, which publishes highly respected educational material, and have coordinated the development of a publicly available resource for assessing competency in animal science laboratories.

Previous employers

  • Imperial College London (2001 – 2017)
  • Veterinary officer with the PDSA animal charity (1995 – 2001)

Memberships

  • Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA)
  • Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association (LAVA)
  • The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA)
  • The Institute of Animal Technology (IAT)
  • Animal Welfare Research Network

Professional Activities and Awards

  • Home Office policy stakeholder engagement group on Accreditation and Training member (2022)
  • Member of the FELASA 2022 Scientific Committee and co-chair of the FELASA 2022 Technicians’ Day
  • Co-editor for Laboratory Animals journal Special Issue “Education in laboratory animal science and the 3Rs” 2022
  • Animal Research Nexus (AnNex) 2021 Care-full Stories: Innovating a new resource for teaching a culture of care in animal research facilities group member
  • 2020 and 2019 Co-applicant for funding from the Animal Welfare Research Network for two outreach workshops
  • Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) status
  • RVC Accredited assessor for competence under ASPA 1986
  • Post graduate RCVS Certificate in Laboratory Animal Science (CertLAS)
  • APHA Official Veterinarian (OV)
  • Full list of publications available on request – see ResearchGate and ORCID

Martin (Retired)

MSc, FRSB, FIAT, FIScT, RAnTech, PTLLS

Founder and Director

Martin’s entire career has been devoted to animal welfare within science. In 1978, he began as a veterinary nurse in Kent, and progressed into medical research in pharmaceuticals. Martin’s first role was at Burroughs Wellcome, before it merged to become GlaxoWellcome, and then GlaxoSmithKline. He also has experience in academia spending three productive years at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket.

Animal welfare has been, and always will be Martin’s main career objective. And now through The Learning Curve, he can pass on his enthusiasm and know-how to your institution. Martin’s experience in the pharmaceutical industry and academia give The Learning Curve a cutting edge when it comes to customer service and satisfaction. With Martin’s leadership The Learning Curve has an impressive client list and a reputation second to none.

Previous roles

  • Past Chairman of GlaxoWellcome Ethical Review Process (ERP) Training Group
  • Past Chairman and member of GlaxoWellcome Named Animal Care & Welfare Officers
  • Past member of GlaxoWellcome Medicines Safety Evaluation (MSE) Training Co-ordinators group
  • Past member of Council for the Institute of Animal Technology
  • Past member of Institute of Animal Technology Certificate Examination Board.

Memberships

  • Fellow of the Institute of Animal Technology (FIAT)
  • Registered Animal Technician (RAnTech)
  • Fellow of the Institute of Science Technology (FIScT)
  • Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  • Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW)
  • Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA)
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FSB)

Awards and recognition

  • Anderson Prize – LASA 1989 special commendation for laboratory animal welfare
  • Bill Hiddleston Award – Furthering the welfare of laboratory animals
  • Registered Animal Technologist
  • Fellowship of the Institute of Animal Technology (FIAT)
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Technology
  • Institute of Animal Technology Journal Article Prize 1989
  • Master of Science in Laboratory Animal Technology (MSc)
  • Named Animal Care & Welfare Officer (NACWO) Certificate
  • American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Certificate for Guest Speaker
  • Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)
  • 2012 Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International Technician Fellowship Award

Ian

FRSB, CBiol, MBPharmacolS, PTLLS

Director, CPD and Training

Ian has extensive experience working within both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Regulatory compliance is one of Ian’s specialities, together with expertise in education, training and continuing personal development (CPD).

A significant proportion of Ian’s expertise includes the construction, provision, execution and updating of the Home Office Modular courses. He was a member of the Royal Society of Biology Accreditation Board for nearly 20 years and this makes him the ideal person to ensure the course content is first class and up-to-date.

Ian also worked with schools all over Southeast England and with Understanding Animal Research (UAR) for over 20 years (covering many hundred talks in total), informing children and the general public about laboratory animal care and welfare when used in medical research. This ultimately resulted in Ian being awarded the William Upjohn Prize for recognition of Special Accomplishment in 2005.

Having previously managed the Pfizer school speaker programme, this makes Ian an important link between science and the people who use medication for health reasons. Ian is committed to developing and extending current and new training courses, workshops and seminars offered by The Learning Curve and developing new trainers employed by The Learning Curve.

Ian also has extensive experience of speaking and running workshops at both National and International Conferences and has been a guest lecturer at European University courses.

Ian was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Biology in 2011 together with Chartered Biologist status, in recognition of his many years experience in all aspects of laboratory animal care, welfare and science.

Since 2011 Ian has worked with the Royal Society of Biology as a member of the Science Council Assessors Board approving new applications for RSciTech, RSci and CSci and also reviewing annual CPD audits.

This contribution to the team is a valuable asset to our organisation and to our customers.

Previous employers

  • Fourteen years at Pfizer – responsibilities included overseeing training programmes in the department of Comparative Medicine
  • St Barts Hospital Medical College London
  • Beecham Pharmaceuticals

Memberships

  • Fellow and Chartered Biologist of the Royal Society of Biology
  • Understanding Animal Research (UAR)
  • The British Pharmacological Society Education and Training Committee
  • The Institute of Animal Technology
  • Laboratory Animal Science Association
  • Institute of Biomedical Sciences
  • The British Pharmacological Society
  • Laboratory Animal Welfare and Training Exchange (LAWTE)

Awards and recognition

  • Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) status
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology
  • Chartered Biologist (CBiol)
  • William Upjohn Prize for recognition of Special Accomplishment (2005)

David

BA (Hons), MSc, DipSM, Tech IOSH, MIRSM, MISTR, PTLLS

Health and Safety Consultant

David has extensive knowledge in the field of laboratory animal science as well as in safety management. He has a MSc in Laboratory Animal Science many other qualifications in health and safety and teaching.

With over thirty-year experience, many of them in the pharmaceutical industry, primarily at Merck, Sharp & Dohme, David is now a director of his own health and safety company, Wellbury Health & Safety. David’s specialist skills include occupational hygiene, machinery, manual handling, construction, DSE assessment and bio-auditing.

The Learning Curve is extremely appreciative of David’s input and delivery into the courses and workshops particularly in health and safety, although David also puts his experience to good use lecturing on IAT and NACWO courses.

Gill

AET

Training Coordinator

Gill has worked within the GLP environments for 24 years at GlaxoSmithKline, working in regulatory toxicology and her latter years within Antibody Therapies. Providing technical, husbandry and welfare support for in-vivo studies. Gill has a depth of knowledge working to high standards, she has a great ability to plan multiple projects & tasks keeping within timelines whilst maximising resource.

Gill ensured continuous development of staff with training and assessment of competencies whilst managing facilities and equipment to comply with Home Office legislation ensuring a high standard expected for AAALAC accreditation. She performed audits with strong attention to detail, and sharing best practises with the wider community.

Gill is a great advocate for the provision of high standard of animal care & welfare ensuring standards met Home Office and regulatory bodies. Whilst fully supportive of improvement projects.

Previous roles

  • Science Laboratory Technician for ‘A’ level students
  • Genetic and Microbiology Technician at Liverpool Universoty
  • Global Business Objects at GSK

Memberships

  • The Institute of Animal Technology

Awards and recognition

  • City and Guilds Science Laboratory Technician
  • Institute of Animal Technology Intermediate Certificate
  • BTEC in Animal Technology 1st Certificate
  • BTEC in Science National Certifcate
  • GSK Excellence Award – Safety Assessment
  • GSK Exceptional Science Award – Safety Assessment

Fiona

MIAT, RAnTech, MRSB

IT Manager

Having spent her formative years on the family farm and being an animal technologist at Pfizer for over 21 years, Fiona’s experience of species and environments is wide ranging. She was interested in IT from an early age and Fiona’s skills now include developing Moodle courses and content for TLCs E-learning site.

At Pfizer, Fiona worked mainly with large animals and gained additional experience snagging, organising occupation and running a new dog facility. She went on to manage vendor relationships, budgets, sourcing, importing and procurement of biological materials and laboratory consumables. She has worked to GLP for a number of years, written SOPs, COSHH assessments and was involved with writing an AAALAC Program.

As a subject matter expert at Pfizer, Fiona became a key team member developing a web-based application to manage animal facilities in the UK and US, to meet Regulatory demands, reduce waste and provide accurate resource planning and customer support. She contributed to training materials, reviewed System Test Scripts and wrote User Acceptance Tests.

Fiona brings her skills, experience and keen eye for detail to The Learning Curve team.

Memberships

  • The Institute of Animal Technology
  • Laboratory Animal Science Association
  • Member of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB)

Awards and recognition

  • Intermediate Certificate of the Institute of Animal Technology
  • Membership of the Institute of Animal Technology (MIAT)
  • BTEC National Certificate in Science (Animal Technology)
  • Registered Animal Technologist (RAnTech)
  • British Association of Research Quality Assurance (BARQA) Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) for Study Directors and Study Staff
  • IMA Accelerating Implementation Methodology (AIM)

Carol

FIAT, RAnTech, PTLLS

Administrator

Carol began her animal technology career at the Medical Research Council in 1989 as a junior technician in the oncology group. During her time at the MRC she progressed through the IAT qualifications, becoming a Registered Animal Technician in 1995 and a Fellow of the Institute in 1996. She moved on in 1998 to take up a role as manager of a facility at the Institute of Zoology, the research arm of London Zoo. There she gained experience with more unusual species such as the Naked Mole Rat and some wild caught grey squirrels.

After three years of commuting to London, Carol was offered a role at Oxford University to manage a new facility. Spending 15 years with the University, Carol progressed to the role of Operations Manager but had also developed an in-house training course aimed at bridging the gap between the IAT levels 2 and 3. Carol has always enjoyed encouraging junior technicians and sharing her knowledge and experience. Although she no longer works full time in the industry, by being a member of The Learning Curve team she still has the opportunity to help the technicians who will go on to become the managers and the future of the IAT.

Previous Roles

  • Medical Research Council 1989-1998
  • Institute of Zoology 1998-2001
  • Oxford University 2001-2016

Memberships

  • The Institute of Animal Technology

Awards and recognition

  • Fellow of the Institute of Animal Technology (FIAT)
  • Registered Animal Technologist (RAnTech)
  • Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)

Karen

MIAT, RAnTech, AET, Assoc CIPD

Learning and Development Business Manager

Karen started her career in animal technology in 1993, gaining experience across small and large animal facilities and progressing through the IAT qualifications to become a Registered Animal Technician and Large Animal Experimental Facility Manager in 2000.

Karen’s extensive experience within Comparative Medicine and focus on quality, compliance and staff development led to subsequent roles within Quality and Training, Regulatory Compliance and Operational Efficiency and Resource Management.

Following an 18-year career at Pfizer, Karen joined a specialist Medico-legal Consultancy, where her role as Director enabled her to focus on business innovation and direction, leading the company through to successful accreditation in ISO 27001 Information Security Management, to deliver a high quality, client focussed service with a first-class reputation within the industry.

With extensive experience of project management, auditing, specialist resource systems and managing business systems relating to AAALAC, GLP and Information Security, Karen brings enthusiasm and a high level of client focussed professionalism with her to The Learning Curve.

Previous roles

  • Chair of Pfizer Comparative Medicine Animal Welfare and Enrichment at Sandwich (PAWES)
  • Chair of Pfizer Comparative Medicine Quality Management Team
  • Chair of Pfizer Comparative Medicine One Big Metric and GVCM Global Committees
  • Member of Pfizer Cross function GLP Oversight Committee
  • IOB Large animal handling and carnivore course trainer

Memberships

  • The Institute of Animal Technology (MIAT)
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

Awards and recognition

  • Intermediate Certificate of the Institute of Animal Technology
  • Membership of the Institute of Animal Technology
  • BTECH National Certificate in Science (Animal Technology)

Teresa

MIAT

Training Tutor

Teresa’s extensive experience in Animal Technology spans both academia and pharmaceuticals. Spending the last 30 years at GSK, Teresa’s vast practical and managerial experience has always centered around advocating positive animal welfare whilst producing good quality and robust science.

Teresa has spent a large proportion of her career within a regulatory environment, where training and competence is essential not only for the delivery of drugs to patients but to ensure staff members have the correct training, motivation, attitude and skills to maintain a good culture of care.

In later years, Teresa managed the large animal facility at GSK, refining dog care procedures and cultivating the positive and reward-based dog training programs within the laboratory environment, as well as and working alongside some of the UK’s most established animal behaviorists.

Teresa brings with her a wealth of hands-on, day to day practical experience and high ethical standards, making her an ideal trainer for The Learning Curve.

Previous Roles

  • Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer
  • GSK In vivo Science and Delivery Training Lead
  • Chair of GSK Named Persons forum
  • Member of GSK AWERB

Memberships

  • The Institute of Animal Technology (MIAT)
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

Awards and recognition

  • Award in Education and Training (in progress)
  • CIPD Coaching
  • Level 4 Animal Technology and Science
  • Membership of the Institute of Animal Technology
  • BTEC National Certificate in Science (Animal Technology)