About the Centre for Research in Biosciences (CRIB)

Professor Aniko Varadi

The Centre Director is Professor Aniko Varadi. She is Professor in Biomedical Research and has been CRIB Director since 2018. She works closely with the CRIB management group and, over the years, has reconfigured the physical footprint of CRIB, generating a new Environment lab, created a coherent biosensing research hub, developed a bioinformatics facility, designed a clinical trial room and created new and improved spaces for our growing postgraduate student cohort.

Professor Varadi leads the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnerships (SWBio DTP) for CRIB and UWE Bristol, which is part of a £170 million investment by the BBSRC/UK Research Innovation to train the next generation of UK bioscientists. SWBio DTP by the BBSRC/UK Research Innovation to train the next generation of UK bioscientists. SWBio DTP includes eleven partner organisations from the South West and one of only 12 DTPs funded by the BBSRC. This funding has enabled CRIB to build on UWE Bristol's world-leading applied biosciences research including biosensing and its applications to bio-diagnostics. This has important applications in agri-food, meat quality and in combatting plant diseases. Our involvement with the SWBio DTP has, to date led to many new collaborations and eight PhD studentships.

Professor Varadi also leads the only fully validated PGCert in Genomics for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals programme in England in collaboration with Health Education England Genomic Education Programme, Macmillan Cancer Support, British Heart Foundation, and Genomics England. Our Generation Genome Team has been nominated by UWE Bristol for the 2024 Advance HE National Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence, which recognises collaborative work with demonstratable impact and change in practice in teaching and learning.

Professor Varadi was co-lead of the REF2021 submission for Unit of Assessment 3 (UoA3) Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy which led to four impact case studies which were all rated as 3/4*, an environment template with 87.5% rated as 3* and an overall submission with 87% rated as 3/4*. 

Professor Varadi is a graduate of the Chartered Management Institute accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) with distinction. Her literary inspirations include ‘Breaking through’ by the recent Nobel laureate Katalin Kariko, and ‘World class, how to lead, learn and grow like a champion’ by Will Greenwood and Ben Fennell.

The Director is supported in the day-to-day management of the Centre through the Research Strategy Implementation Group (RSIG) which meets quarterly. RSIG aspires to be an inclusive group of horizontal thematic research cluster representation and vertical representation at various stages of career progression to ensure the needs of its members at all stages of career progression are being supported to deliver on excellent research with impact.

The role of our theme leads is to ensure representation across all research disciplines and to catalyse research activity within their clusters. The thematic research cluster leads are: 

Human Health and Disease

Theme Lead:

• Dr Alexander Greenhough, Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences

Deputy Lead:

• Dr Lili Ordonez, Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences

Biosensing, Analytical and Forensics

Theme Lead:

• Professor Tony Killard, Professor of Biomedical Sciences

Deputy Leads:

• Dr Kevin Honeychurch, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Chemistry
• Dr Madeline Robles, Lecturer in Forensic Science

Environment, Ecology and Conservation

Theme Co-leads:

• Dr Paul Lintott, Senior Lecturer in Conservation Science
• Dr Adrian Crew, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Microbiology
• Dr Piers Townsend, Lecturer in Environmental and Forensic Toxicology

Agri Food and Water

Theme Lead:

• Dr Alexandros Stratakos, Associate Professor in Sustainable Agri-Food Production

Deputy Lead:

• Dr Carrie Brady, Senior Lecturer in Genetics 

The RSIG is additionally supported by the School of Applied Sciences through its Dean and Head, Dr Lyn Newton, as well as by the School Director of Research and Enterprise, Dr Robin Thorn.

The overall performance and direction of CRIB is monitored and guided by an advisory panel made up of internal institutional stakeholders, as well as external experts in research. The advisory panel is informed about CRIB through its annual report and annual conference.