Wendy Purcell's Biography

Wendy Purcell, Chair, National Council for Healthcare Science in Higher Education

Professor Wendy Purcell is a life scientist and academic leader. She was President Vice-Chancellor of a UK University for 8 years. Wendy is an expert in spheroid science and developed novel 3-D in vitro models for pre-clinical sciences and toxicology investigations over some 20 years. Her work has been included in patent filings relating to innovation in methodology and applications. Wendy has supervised, to successful conclusion 11 PhDs and is currently supervising 3 research students. Over the years, Wendy has secured research grants totalling in excess of £10 million, including BBSRC, EPSRC and industry funding. Wendy has undertaken consultancy with Pfizer, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Roche Discovery and GlaxoWellcome in the field of in vitro toxicology. Her work has also attracted funding in the 3Rs, notably from the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research and FRAME.
Wendy is Chair of the national Council for Healthcare Science in Higher Education and a Member of the Genomics Advisory Board. She acted as a Special Adviser to the UK Government on the Postgraduate Review and was Expert Adviser to the Witty Review on universities and growth. Wendy is a Non-Executive Director of the UK Government’s Department for Business Innovation and Skills.