Katie Cunnea
Hampshire
Summary
Hard-working Team Leader with 27 years of experience in scientific environments. Engaging and motivational leader, skilled at training and coaching high-performing employees.
Committed manager with exceptional leadership, organisational skills and communication abilities leads high-performing cross-functional teams. Leads projects, company operations and business growth.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Structural Biology Team leader
Evotec
2020.04 - 2026.03
- Client management; led projects, guided decisions, built and monitored project plans. For example, I have successfully nurtured and managed a highly profitable four year client relationship.
- Line management; up to seven cross-functional staff. A strong record for promoting career progression. A supportive and motivational leader, able to coach others to manage conflict and support performance issues.
- Conducted regular performance reviews to identify areas of improvement for each team member.
- Negotiated successful outcomes in challenging scenarios, demonstrating strong problem-solving skills.
- Design and build for a new laboratory and computer pipeline. Matrix managed, recruited, trained, and mentored a highly productive team of over fifteen staff.
- Lean six sigma project manager, sponsor, mentor and coach.
Senior Centre Coordinator
National Electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC) Diamond Light Source
2017.12 - 2020.03
- I coordinated the establishment and expansion of the national cryo-EM facility.
- Deputising for the Director I proficiently managed the £15.6 million Wellcome trust grant.
- Coordinated the 5-year end of grant report & assessment, supporting the team achieve high praise from the external scientific review panel, as well as being personally recognised for my outstanding contribution.
- I collaborated across departments to improve automation efficiency in multiple areas.
- I created a highly regarded, and much sought after cryo-EM training programme, and designed the original Sample preparation and MicroED international workshops.
- Won a grant application to supervise a PhD student in collaboration with Nottingham & Oxford Universities.
Electron Microscope Technician
Research Complex at Harwell, MRC
2015.03 - 2017.11
- Responsible for laboratory management and training.
- Developed efficient and legally compliant working practices (e.g. Risk assessment, COSHH, DSEAR).
- I provided high quality guidance, training and support to academic and industrial scientists carrying out experiments in biology, chemistry and material science projects.
Project Manager
Brockenhurst College & Southampton Solent University
2013.05 - 2015.03
- On a limited budget, I established a new charity (Hampshire Children’s University), whose aim was to raise educational expectations for underprivileged children. I was highly successful, facilitating the collaboration of over 100 organisations, and quickly made the charity financially self-sustaining.
Principal Researcher/Project Manager
4science (consultancy & educational publisher)
2005.12 - 2013.03
- I held various roles, being promoted several times. I worked with clients to create multi-media science education resources and continuing professional development courses for teachers. Publications were sold nationally in bookstores and online. I was promoted after 3 years to project/event manager for the Corporate Social Responsibility CRO side of the business. I built and managed teams comprising of both permeant and contract staff for multiple projects. My clients included the Wellcome Trust, BT, Adidas, GSK and Astra Zeneca. Other responsibilities included successfully leading and winning grant and tender applications to financially support the company.
Associate Researcher
Cancer Sciences, Southampton General Hospital
1999.01 - 2005.01
- Early career laboratory work experience (while studying)
- Practical demonstrator: - UCL, University of London
- Electron Microscopy Project placement: - Kew Gardens, Kew, London
- Laboratory techniques: Cell culture, flow cytometry, Facs analysis, PCR, QPCR, gel electrophoresis and DNA/RNA extraction, generation of cDNA libraries. Enzyme kinetics, electrophoresis, protein purification, ultracentrifugation, dialysis and DNA cloning, SEM, confocal microscopy, TEM, resin embedding and thin-sectioning.
Education
PhD - Cryo-electron Microscopy
Birkbeck College, University of London
2001.01 - 2005.01
BSc Biochemistry 1st Class Honours -
University of Sussex
1997.01 - 2001.01
Skills
- Leadership proficiency
- Operational project management
- Lean six sigma certification
- Line management experience
- Team Leadership
- Matrix management
- Partnership collaboration
- Outstanding communication
Certification
- Radiation Protection Supervisor, COSHH assessor, Agile Project management 2016
- APM-PFQ Project management qualification 2018
- Lean six sigma – Yellow belt 2024
VOLUNTARY ROLES
Angelman Syndrome Alliance, Board Director, 2014, 2024, Scientific advisor and organiser for a biannual Grant call. Patient advocacy and multi-national collaboration with patient organisations biotech/pharmaceutical companies and clinical trial centres. Member of the international community advisory board in Angelman Syndrome. Scientific advisor for Angelman UK.
Timeline
Structural Biology Team leader
Evotec
2020.04 - 2026.03
Senior Centre Coordinator
National Electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC) Diamond Light Source
2017.12 - 2020.03
Electron Microscope Technician
Research Complex at Harwell, MRC
2015.03 - 2017.11
Project Manager
Brockenhurst College & Southampton Solent University
2013.05 - 2015.03
Principal Researcher/Project Manager
4science (consultancy & educational publisher)
2005.12 - 2013.03
PhD - Cryo-electron Microscopy
Birkbeck College, University of London
2001.01 - 2005.01
Associate Researcher
Cancer Sciences, Southampton General Hospital
1999.01 - 2005.01
BSc Biochemistry 1st Class Honours -
University of Sussex
1997.01 - 2001.01