Speaker

Prof. Catherine O’Neill

Professor of Translational Dermatology

Manchester University

Biography

Cath is Professor of Translational Dermatology and Associate Dean for Business Engagement in the, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health at the University of Manchester. She received both her B.Sc (Hons) and PhD from the University of Wales (Bangor) where she studied Biochemistry.

Caths’ research work focusses on the human microbiome and whether it can be harnessed as a therapy for skin in health and disease. Her work is very translational and several basic laboratory findings have been developed and tested in human clinical studies. This translational approach has led to the creation of two spin out companies: Curapel in 2011 and SkinBioTherapeutics plc in 2017 which she led as CEO and subsequently as CSO until 2024. Caths’ current interests  are centred on the impact of sunlight on skin and its microbiome and how the microbiome modulates skin response to ultraviolet radiation.