Meet the Team

Paul is also a Professor in Molecular Oncology within the Center for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen’s University Belfast where his research has focused on the role played by BRCA1 mutation in the development of hereditary breast cancer. Prior to this appointment he had been a Research Fellow in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital where he developed his interest in the emerging field of precision medicine.

He has over 25 years in senior business development and management roles in the biotech and medical device sector. He has worked in both start up and multinational companies. His previous experience including Managing Director for BSN Medical UK a Smith and Nephew and Beiersdorf JV and Executive Director for Amtec Medical Ltd.

From 2004-2007 he worked as an instructor in oncology at Harvard Medical School, USA, where he identified novel biomarkers and drug targets for cancer treatment.

In August 2007 he joined Almac Diagnostics as the director of a CLIA compliant diagnostics laboratory and has been involved in the biomarker design for several international clinical trials. In 2012 he established a research group in Queen’s University Belfast focussed on various aspects of stratified medicine. 

Richard Kennedy currently sits on the CR-UK new agents committee, MRC Biomarkers steering group, the National Cancer Clinical Trials Steering Group, the Enterprise Ireland Technology assessment panel and the all-Ireland Breast Cancer Predict Consortium. Previously he was a member of the CR-UK biomarker steering group and the Breast Cancer Campaign scientific advisory board.

Peter studied in Cambridge University before postgraduate work at Edinburgh and Glasgow universities leading to a PhD. He worked on the functions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Center at the Institute of Cancer Research in London before establishing and managing a microarray facility there. He then worked as a Program Manager with the NCRI Informatics Initiative in London before joining Almac Diagnostics in 2006.

This team are also responsible for Almac Diagnostics’ Laboratory Quality Management systems ensuring compliance with ISO13485, CLIA (Federal and New York State CLEP), ISO17025, ISO15189 and the College of American Pathologists accreditation requirements.

Stewart studied in Queens University Belfast where he attained his degree and PhD in Molecular Oncology before postgraduate work at The Welcome Trust Center in Dundee. Stewart has managed the implementation of various Quality Management Systems including ISO13485, ISO17025, GCP, CAP accreditation, New York State CLEP and CLIA. He is also Almac Diagnostics Designated Individual for the purposes of the UKs Human Tissue Act.

Prior to joining Almac in 2009, Laura studied at Queen’s University Belfast and received a 1st class Honors degree in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics before completing her Ph.D. in Mathematics and Statistics with applied Bioinformatics, also from Queen’s University Belfast, where she currently holds an Honorary Lectureship position.

Prior to joining Almac in 2009, Dr. Galligan obtained a PhD in molecular hematology from Trinity College Dublin. She subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship on the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in colorectal cancer at Queen’s University Belfast and has completed a 4 year training program in specialist haemato-oncology laboratory services. She maintains registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council as a Clinical Scientist and has been awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) through examination in haemato-oncology and laboratory management.

Katarina obtained a PhD in experimental pathology from Lund University, and subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship on the molecular mechanisms of prostanoid signaling in vascular haemostasis and oncology at University College Dublin. Since joining Almac in 2009 Katarina has built up a breadth of experience in the biomarker field with particular focus on assay development and validation.

Steven studied at the University of Dundee, leading to a PhD before postgraduate work at the Beatson Cancer Research UK Institute in Glasgow. He joined Almac Diagnostics in 2005, initially as a Senior Scientist, then as Team Leader and then Research Manager before taking the role in Product Development. As part of his time with the research team, he was involved in the discovery and development of several of the internally discovered biomarker assays.

During this time she was the involved in the identification of PARP1 inhibitors for the treatment of BRCA-associated breast and ovarian cancers, which are now approved by the EMA.

Dr McCabe joined Almac Diagnostics as Team Leader of Internal Research and is now Biomarker Research Manager. Within this role she has gained 8 years industrial experience in drug target identification and biomarker discovery. Dr McCabe has an honorary position at Queen’s University Belfast and runs a team of both industrial and academic staff with a focus on the discovery and validation of biomarkers for clinical trials. Dr McCabe’s work has led to a number of significant invited talks, patents and publications including Nature, Cancer Research, Cancer Cell and Oncogene.