Zai Ahmad

Preclinical Project Manager @Valirx Plc

GB

Led high-impact projects: Managed four evaluation projects and one licensed (Cytolytix) project concurrently ensuring robust study design and high-quality data reporting, collaborating with 20+ CROs, ensuring data integrity, and delivering key insights to the board and forcasting budget for CFO. Drove strategic commercialization: Played a key role in commercializing a patient-derived biobank for use in ready-to-use assays, matched support, and cancer cell applications, enabling controlled organoid production and organ-on-a-chip models. Built cutting-edge lab infrastructure: Spearheaded the setup of Inaphaea, an in-house laboratory for cell-based assays, successfully delivering the project 25% under budget within six months. Led infrastructure development to meet fire, health, and safety regulations while equipping the lab for advanced research. Optimizing lab operations and asset integration: Managed the acquisition and integration of Imagen assets, including a biobank of patient-derived cell lines (PDCs), and orchestrated the relocation of critical equipment, biobank assets, and consumables across multiple sites. Ensuring quality and compliance: Directed lab personnel in culturing patient-derived cell lines, established SOPs, experimental templates, and quality control frameworks, and evaluated eLNs to ensure adherence to ALCOA principles.

University of Leeds

Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Neurobiology and Neurosciences