SLAS 2026 International Conference and Exhibition

Gayle Marshall

Gayle has extensive experience in biomarker and omics research.

Leading a large, multi-skilled translational science laboratory team, within a global Pharma department supporting biomarker strategies across 14 drug discovery programs covering more than 20 clinical studies, through to leading a large multi-disciplinary team within MDC.

Gayle directs multi-biomarker analysis and assay development, supporting diagnostic development initiatives, and delivering key pre-clinical and clinical biomarker data.

Gayle is currently working at Medicines Discovery Catapult as Head of Biomarkers, supporting SMEs, academics and drug discovery researchers to identify the right biomarkers and clinical approach for their drug or asset development.

Dr Francesca Sadler

Francesca Sadler has 20 years’ commercial experience in the drug discovery and development field.

Francesca started her career as a Clinical Scientist working at the Public Health Laboratory Service (now part of Public Health England) researching meningococcal disease. Following a rewarding early career in the laboratory, Francesca moved into the commercial arena, most recently serving as Chief Commercial Officer and Board Member at Charnwood Discovery. This follows a distinguished career in key roles at leading drug discovery companies including Eurofins Discovery, Cyprotex, Aptuit and Charles River Discovery.

Francesca gained her PhD in microbiology and molecular biology from Manchester Metropolitan University and an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School.

Francesca joined MDC in 2025 as Chief Commercial Officer, bringing extensive experience in sales and marketing within the discovery and development services field, and is responsible for delivering MDC’s commercial strategy across the business, supporting MDC’s mission in reshaping drug discovery for patient benefit.

Dr Lynne Braidwood

Lynne joined Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) in 2021 as part of the Business Development Team. She supports MDC’s capabilities in Cellular Sciences, Translational Imaging, and Biomarkers. In this role, Lynne collaborates with pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, SMEs, and academic researchers, helping them develop and execute studies by leveraging MDC’s expertise, technology, and wet lab capabilities.

Lynne has a strong research background in oncology and virology. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Oncolytic Viruses in combination with targeted anti-cancer agents from the Centre of Virus Research at the University of Glasgow.

Lynne was a scientist at the Beatson CRUK labs and then with small biotech company developing an oncolytic virus, which sponsored her PhD. Her role within the company transitioned from a lab-based scientist to a business development role, where she played a key role in the company’s acquisition by a major US biotech firm. Since then, Lynne has worked in commercial roles within the Life Sciences sector before joining Medicines Discovery Catapult.

Dr Phil Auckland

A chromosome biologist by training, Phil has spent 12 years utilising fluorescence microscopy to visualise molecular processes at the single-cell level.

Phil completed his PhD and early postdoctoral studies at Warwick University, where he developed imaging methods to understand the force-generating mechanisms that move chromosomes during cell division. He then moved to Rice University as a Fellow to work on cell-fate decision making during early human development.

In 2021, he established an independent research group at the Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics at King’s College London. He joined Medicines Discovery Catapult to lead the Advanced Microscopy team in 2023.

In his current role, Phil develops bespoke microscopy assays for the mechanistic characterisation of disease phenotypes and novel medicines. He also leads the establishment of novel imaging technologies to ensure that the MDC is at the forefront of microscopy-based drug discovery.

Dr Martin Main

An ion channel electrophysiologist by training, Martin has spent over 30 years working in the pharmaceutical industry in organisations including Merck, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca.

An accomplished scientist with over 35 publications and 2 patents and a broad range of experience ranging from target validation and reagent generation, through assay development and mechanism-of-action studies, Martin brings a breadth of experience to his role as Chief Scientific Officer at Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC).

After gaining his PhD in Cardiac Physiology from the University of London, Martin joined the University of Leeds as a Postdoctoral Scientist before beginning a 25-year stint in large pharma. Starting his career with Merck and GlaxoSmithKline, Martin then held several leadership roles at AstraZeneca, most recently as Director of Discovery Biology from 2011 to 2018.

Martin sits on the Scientific Advisory Board for the University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute and is a member of the Astbury Centre Industry Advisory Board. He has previously held roles on the ELRIG General Committee and SLAS Editorial Board.

Martin joined MDC in 2018 as Head of Molecular Technologies, taking on the role of Chief Scientist in 2022. In his current role as Chief Scientific Officer at MDC, Martin is accountable for the development and delivery of MDC’s science strategy, with oversight of all laboratory activities to ensure MDC continues to deliver upon our vision of reshaping drug discovery for patient benefit.