ELRIG UK, the leading organiser of scientific conferences for the life science community, announces Board changes to enable continuing growth.
Cambridge, UK, 04 September 2024:
The European Laboratory Research & Innovation Group (ELRIG) UK, a not-for-profit, volunteer-led organisation for the drug discovery community, today announced changes within its Board of Governance and is delighted to announce three new appointments to the board, who will strengthen the board’s skill set and ensure that ELRIG continues with it’s strategy of providing high quality science, free-of-charge, to the drug discovery community.
From the 1st of September 2025, Dr Laura Ajram, Chief Executive, British Neuroscience Association will join to expand and support ELRIG’s partnership initiatives with other associations. Dr Lisa Mohamet, Senior Scientific Director, GSK, will join to expand representation for scientific innovation and lead ELRIG’s diversity and inclusion objectives. Dr Rob Howes, Senior Director, Charles River Laboratories will work to represent the contract research organisations as well as to start ELRIG’s sustainability plan.
Our new board members shared their plans for their time with ELRIG:
Dr Laura Ajram
British Neuroscience Association
‘Receiving the ELRIG Early Career Professional Impact Award in 2021 was a significant milestone in my career and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with the community that’s played a key role in my personal and professional development. I hope to support this fantastic team to build strategic links and partnerships to drive future growth, ensuring that ELRIG continues to thrive and expand its impact across the life sciences sector.’
Dr Lisa Mohamet
GSK
‘ELRIG plays a key role in connecting people across the life sciences and has created a diverse community space to encourage scientific discovery. I hope to join ELRIG in their next phase of evolution to continue to foster scientific innovation in a wider community, and to learn from and work alongside a diverse team of driven individuals!’
Dr Rob Howes
Charles River Laboratories
I’m keen to help ELRIG at this exciting time in it’s development, and I hope to represent and engage the Contract Research Organisation community more within our events.’
As part of the changes, Clare Viney, CEO of CRAC Vitae and People and Culture Work Group Leader and Paul Kendall, RBDM – Life Sciences – EMEA Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions and Treasurer, will step down as their terms end and ELRIG thanks and acknowledges the time and expertise they have given over the years to enable ELRIG to become a financially stable and inclusive organisation.
Sanj Kumar, CEO, ELRIG UK said: ‘As CEO, I have worked closely with Clare and Paul, their skills and experience have been key in developing ELRIG’s governance and strategy. Thank you.
Other changes include Verena Brucklacher-Waldert Head of Research Operations, Laverock Therapeutics, transitioning from the role of Secretary to Treasurer and Cassie Messenger Senior Cellular Scientist, GSK taking on the role of Company Secretary. ELRIG looks forward to continuing to work with Verena and Cassie in their new positions.
Melanie Leveridge, Chair of ELRIG, Vice President Discovery Biology, AstraZeneca, said: ‘ELRIG is led by the life sciences community, for the life sciences community, with all members of the Board being volunteers who freely give their time for a 4 year term. I would like to personally thank Paul and Clare for their valuable contributions over the years and I am delighted to welcome Rob, Lisa and Laura.
Since incorporation in 2004, ELRIG has consolidated its reputation as a best in industry UK-based not-for-profit volunteer-led organisation, operated by and for the life sciences community, and dedicated to the delivery of leading-edge scientific meetings and conferences on an open-access basis for optimum accessibility across all levels of its 22,000-strong global community.
The Board delegates its tasks to a series of Work Groups, who work with the ELRIG team to ensure it achieves its objectives.
ELRIG continuously strives to advance its ED&I and sustainability strategic pillars, to both inspire and align with the ESG strategies of its delegates, exhibitors, sponsors and all other stakeholders.
