Overview
Laura is a trainee patent attorney who has extensive experience in the life sciences sector. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience awarded by University College London (UCL) having undertaken postgraduate research at both UCL and the Francis Crick Institute. Her research focused on using magnetic resonance imaging to investigate metabolic changes in the brain and develop novel imaging biomarkers of Huntington’s disease, and her multidisciplinary project enabled her to gain cross-sector experience in physics, engineering, and the life sciences.
Prior to completing her doctorate degree, Laura obtained a first-class BSc honours degree in Medical Sciences (including an industrial placement year at GSK) from the University of Leeds, an MRes in Experimental Neuroscience (with distinction) from Imperial College London, and a further MRes in Medical Imaging from UCL.
Prior to joining Barker Brettell LLP, Laura commenced her training at a different private practice firm where she gained sound experience in drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications (in the UK, Europe, and in foreign jurisdictions) relating to a large variety of inventions within the life sciences sector.
Experience
- Assists with the drafting, filing and prosecution of patent applications at the UKIPO and EPO and prosecutes global patent portfolios in collaboration with agents across numerous worldwide jurisdictions including Australia, China, Japan, Korea, and the US.
- Has undertaken research in various laboratories in both academia and industry, leading to several publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- Has won numerous awards, grants, and scholarships for her efforts in both academia and industry, including the prestigious Rob Clarke Award issued by the Physiological Society for her undergraduate dissertation, the competitive 1+3 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council scholarship to fund her studies at UCL, and the Guarantors of Brain Travel Award to present her research findings at the Society for Neuroscience’s 2019 annual meeting in Chicago.
- Is a keen writer and editor who has written for various outlets, including the British Neuroscience Association and Physiological Society, and now regularly publishes scientific news articles and opinion pieces in the Progress Educational Trust’s weekly newsletter, BioNews.
