Career Talk: LifeArc

Anji Miller: Not all Scientists Wear Lab Coats: Building a Career in Science, Innovation and Impact

Associate Director, Academic Engagement/Programme Director, Translational Fellowships

Anji is a senior innovation professional with over 20 years of experience translating academic research into healthcare, societal, and economic impact. As Associate Director, Academic Engagement at LifeArc, she leads initiatives that strengthen engagement with the academic innovation ecosystem and support the development of future leaders in translational research, knowledge exchange, and technology transfer.

She brings extensive expertise in intellectual property strategy and management, technology transfer, licensing, business development, strategic partnerships, funding, portfolio management, and translational research. Her career spans scientific research, intellectual property, commercialisation, and innovation leadership, providing a broad perspective on the journey from discovery to impact.

A passionate advocate for professional development, Anji is Programme Director for LifeArc's Knowledge Exchange and Translational Fellowship programmes, leading the organisation's flagship training initiatives for innovation professionals. Through these programmes, she works closely with academic institutions, industry partners, and innovation organisations to build translational skills, capability, and leadership across the sector.

Anji is also a committed advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion within innovation. She is a co-founder of Global Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Technology Transfer (GEDITT) and actively supports initiatives that broaden participation and create more inclusive innovation ecosystems.

Anji holds MSc and PhD degrees in genetics from Imperial College London, and an MSc and Certificate in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary University of London. She is PRINCE2 certified, a Registered Technology Transfer Professional and a Certified Licensing Professional. She serves in multiple expert and board advisory roles, is Chair of the LESI Life Sciences Committee, Secretary to the CLP Board, and a member of the BioIndustry Association Cell & Gene Therapy Advisory Committee.