The Research Adventure Podcast

In this episode of the Research Adventure podcast, we meet Prof Aline Miller, Chief Scientific Officer of Unit M and former CEO of Manchester BioGel, a biotech spinout from the University of Manchester.Aline reflects on her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, sharing the six biggest mistakes she made as CEO, including giving away too much equity, hiring the wrong people, and starting to sell too early. Alongside these hard-won lessons, she offers practical advice for researchers and founders preparing to take their own ideas to market.We also explore how she aligned her academic identity with the realities of leading a startup, the systemic challenges universities face in commercialisation, and why building strong teams and infrastructure is essential for sustainable innovation.Now at Unit M, Aline is helping to shape the future of research impact in Manchester, supporting students, researchers, and spinouts to create economic growth and lasting change.

In this episode, we meet Dr. Madusha Peiris, CEO and Co-Founder of Elcella, a Queen Mary University spinout transforming appetite regulation and gut health. Madusha shares her journey from early exposure to commercialisation during her PhD, to the patient stories that inspired her mission, and the pivotal moments that shaped her path as an entrepreneur. She reflects on the highs and lows of spinout life - from “eureka” insights and successful clinical trials to surviving the funding valley of death.  Today, she leads a high-growth startup that sold out its first product batch in 20 minutes and built a 2m-strong online community through authentic science communication.

In this reflective episode of the Research Adventure Podcast, host Zach Sorrells and producer Rachel Clark share the top insights from Season 1.Rather than a checklist, they share the themes that kept surfacing across conversations with researchers and founders.  They explore how researchers view commercialisation as a route to impact — shaping decisions, team-building, and the way relationships are nurtured over time. They reflect on how funding influences behaviour, why negotiation is such a vital skill, and how industry perspectives can sharpen research outcomes.  They highlight a lesson that came up again and again: in commercialisation, time is often more valuable than money.It’s a conversation about what really makes research commercialisation work — and what needs to change to make it easier, faster, and more rewarding.

In this episode of the Research Adventure podcast, co-founders Aran Eales and Damien Frame of Equal Access Energy share their journey in establishing a social enterprise focused on providing renewable energy access in Malawi. They discuss their backgrounds, experiences in Malawi, the importance of community engagement, and the challenges of balancing financial viability with social impact. The conversation highlights the significance of partnerships, storytelling, and data in driving their mission forward, as well as their future goals for scaling mini-grid projects to achieve universal energy access.

In this conversation, Mark Zwinderman shares his experiences and insights from his journey spinning out a company from Napier University, discussing the challenges faced, lessons learned, and the evolution of support for startups over the past 25 years. He emphasises the importance of empathy, curiosity, and resilience in entrepreneurship, while also addressing common mistakes made by founders. Mark highlights the significance of engaging with the market early, the need for effective negotiation with universities, and the importance of building strong founding teams. He also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the Scottish ecosystem and offers practical advice for policymakers and universities to enhance commercialisation efforts.

In this conversation, Mariana Fazenda shares her academic journey from biotechnology to her current role as a Programme Manager at EIT Food. She discusses her experience with the University of Strathclyde spin-out ENOUGH (formerly 3FBio), which originated from a bag of expired wheat, and the challenges and successes in commercialisation. Mariana emphasises the importance of supportive environments, building trust, and creating a research culture that supports commercialisation. She also reflects on her time at the University of Cambridge and offers insights into improving the commercialisation support system in the UK.

In this episode, Marcos Villeda Hernandez shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, detailing his academic background in nanoscience and the founding of PhotoClear, a startup focused on wastewater treatment. The idea for PhotoClear emerged during the pandemic, driven by a desire to address real-world problems. Marcos rallied a group of like-minded friends and colleagues to join a “business club”, meeting regularly to pitch ideas and selecting the best one through collaboration.  He discusses the challenges and triumphs of building a business, the importance of networking, and the lessons learned from transitioning from a PhD to a CEO. Marcos emphasises the significance of taking action, understanding market needs, and the impact of innovation on society.

In this episode of The Research Adventure podcast, Joanna Butler, founder and CEO of MyEmploy, shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship. She discusses the development of MyEmploy, a web-based employability assessment tool designed to support disadvantaged job seekers. Jo reflects on her academic background, the challenges of the commercialisation process, and the importance of having a dedicated team. She emphasises the need for transparency in the commercialisation process and the significance of delivering positive change through her work. Jo also highlights the importance of market engagement and the need for quick-moving opportunities to sustain business growth.

In this conversation, Veronica Greco shares her journey from academia to the startup world, detailing her experiences in synthetic biology and her role as COO of CDOT Bio. She discusses the innovative approaches her company is taking to revolutionise agriculture through sustainable practices, the challenges of transitioning from an interesting technology to a viable business, and the importance of understanding market needs. Veronica reflects on her cultural background, her entrepreneurial spirit, and the impact she aims to achieve through her work.

In this conversation, Holly Reeve, CEO of HydRegen, shares her journey from academia to leading a deep tech startup focused on making chemical manufacturing cleaner and more sustainable. She discusses the importance of recognising commercial opportunities, the challenges of transitioning from an academic to a commercial mindset, and the critical role of leadership and team dynamics in a startup environment. Holly also reflects on her experiences with funding, mentorship, and the impact of government support on commercialisation efforts.

In this opening episode, host Zach Sorrells introduces The Research Adventure Podcast, an initiative of The Research Adventure – a purpose-driven business on a mission to unlock the untapped commercial potential of university research. Zach shares the motivation behind the podcast and what listeners can expect from the season ahead.The podcast is designed to spark conversation and insight around the complex journey of research commercialisation. Each episode features in-depth discussions with academic entrepreneurs working at the intersection of discovery and innovation.Rachel Clark, co-founder of The Research Adventure, produces the series and supports the development and delivery of each episode.