Zahra Faraahi
Leeds
Summary
Patient-centred pharmaceutical and scientific leader with 15+ years’ experience advancing oncology, immunology, and advanced modalities from discovery through early clinical development. Career spanning NHS oncology theatres, mechanistic academic discovery, CRO/industry leadership, and global consortia, providing a 360 view of drug development. Recognised for uniting investigators, regulators, sponsors, and patients to accelerate innovation, secure regulatory readiness, and deliver clinically meaningful outcomes. Combines translational depth from clinical oncology theatres, mechanistic lab discovery, and global CRO programme leadership to design trials that are scientifically rigorous, regulator-ready, and rooted in real patient and investigator needs.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certificate
Work history
Manager of Science & Reporting (Global PI/SD/PM Manager) – Immunology & Immunotoxicology
Labcorp Drug Development
04.2022 - 07.2025
- - Drug Development: Directed global immunology, immunotoxicology & IO programmes across Huntingdon, Harrogate & international sites. Delivered GLP/GCP immunotox panels (TDAR, cytokine release, NK assays, flow cytometry RO), bioanalysis, pathology/IHC, in vivo PK/tox. Oversaw genetic tox & DART studies; IND/CTA-ready reports.
- - Translational Oncology & Immunology: Partnered on >50 syngeneic, >300 PDX, CAR-T/NK, viral vectors & gene therapy. Central lab integration for vaccine immunogenicity, immune monitoring & CDx (PD-L1, EGFR, MSI).
- - Medical Affairs & Site Engagement: Represented I&I in IMI (ImSAVAR), HESI; presented at advisory boards, IMs, patient forums.
- - Scientific Ops & Governance: Re-engineered workflows (Veeva/LIMS), compressing reports 16→6 weeks; +50% on-time delivery; ROT 35%→85%. Zero MHRA major findings.
- - Leadership & Patient Advocacy: Line-managed 11+ staff across 6 sites; post-merger harmonisation; engaged 200+ patients/families in translational design.
Principal Investigator – Immunology & Immunotoxicology (UK)
Labcorp Drug Development
11.2018 - 04.2022
- - Drug Development: Single-point accountability for GLP/GCP studies; designed & wrote reports for IND/NDA/BLA/CTA packages (ADA/NAb, cytokine release, NK killing, RO). Delivered PK/PD validation datasets for regulatory filings.
- - Translational Oncology & Immunology: Expanded IO platforms (syngeneic, PDX, humanised); MOA & efficacy datasets for checkpoint inhibitors & CAR-T/NK.
- - Medical Affairs & Site Engagement: Partnered with Clinical Ops on site activation, SIV training, enrolment strategy. Supported immuno-monitoring & CDx alignment.
- - Scientific Ops & Governance: Ensured GLP/GCP compliance & reproducibility; strengthened multi-site governance.
- - Leadership: Mentored junior scientists; presented science at advisory boards & congresses.
Postdoctoral Research Associate – Translational Oncology
University of Manchester & St Mary's NHS Hospital
10.2014 - 11.2018
- - Drug Development: Embedded in surgical theatres; developed DDR + mitochondrial/ROS biomarker assays in ovarian cancer explants (n=54).
- - Translational Science: Built ML models predicting platinum response/survival (AUC 1.0).
- - Medical Affairs & Engagement: Collaborated with oncologists, surgeons, computational teams (The Christie, NCRAS). Presented and published data in local and international consortiums.
- - Scientific Ops: Secured grants, contributed to IP development, ensured reproducibility.
- - Leadership: Supervised MSc/PhD students; trained collaborators in DDR assay methods.
Research Scientist & Supervisor – Clinical Pathology
Covance Laboratories Ltd
03.2006 - 10.2013
- - Drug Development: Developed/validated novel immunoassays, clinical pathology & haematology workflows for GLP/GCP filings. Delivered bedside immune monitoring with Leeds CTU.
- - Scientific Ops: Managed immunoassay teams; ensured audit readiness & SOPs.
- - Medical Affairs: Sponsor-facing role advising on assay strategies, QA audits, protocols.
Education
PhD - Translational Cancer Biology
University of Sheffield Medical School
Manchester 09.2011 - 03.2015
MSc - Pathological Sciences
University of Sheffield
01.2008 - 01.2010
BSc (Hons) - Biomedical Sciences
University of Bradford
01.2003 - 01.2006
Skills
- - Drug Development: End-to-end leadership from discovery to early clinical trials
- - Translational Strategy: Oncology & immunology expertise; personalised medicine
- - Regulatory: IND/CTA/NDA/BLA delivery; report writing & global agency engagement
- - Leadership: Multi-site team management
Certification
- ACT Practical Application of Toxicology in Drug Development (PATDD)
- GLP, GCP, GMP Compliance | SPSS & GraphPad | Veeva | ClinAxys | Workday
- Toxicology Study Direction | Biologics Development | Leadership & Communication
Affiliations
- ACT Practical Application of Toxicology in Drug Development (PATDD)
- Toxicology Study Direction | Biologics Development | Leadership & Communication
- Scientific Ambassador – Target Ovarian Cancer (media, research, advocacy)
- STEM & Brilliant Club Educator – Outreach to underrepresented youth
- Mentor – Moving Ahead (Postdoctoral Development)
- Member: HESI, IMI, Society of Toxicology (SOT)
Timeline
Manager of Science & Reporting (Global PI/SD/PM Manager) – Immunology & Immunotoxicology
Labcorp Drug Development
04.2022 - 07.2025
Principal Investigator – Immunology & Immunotoxicology (UK)
Labcorp Drug Development
11.2018 - 04.2022
Postdoctoral Research Associate – Translational Oncology
University of Manchester & St Mary's NHS Hospital
10.2014 - 11.2018
PhD - Translational Cancer Biology
University of Sheffield Medical School
09.2011 - 03.2015
MSc - Pathological Sciences
University of Sheffield
01.2008 - 01.2010
Research Scientist & Supervisor – Clinical Pathology
Covance Laboratories Ltd
03.2006 - 10.2013
BSc (Hons) - Biomedical Sciences
University of Bradford
01.2003 - 01.2006
Technical Skills
Cell & Molecular Biology
- Primary and secondary cell culture; advanced co-culture systems (osteoblasts, myeloma, MC3T3, SAOS2).
- Murine cancer models (5TMM series, MDA321, PC3).
- Molecular assays: qRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, recombinant protein production, cloning, transfection.
- Flow cytometry: immunophenotyping, receptor occupancy, cytokine analysis, platelet activation (P-selectin, CD62P).
Immunology & Immunoassays
- ELISA, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunocytochemistry (ICC), immunofluorescence.
- ADA/NAb assays, complement activation assays (CH50/AH50).
- Cytokine release and immune function panels (NK cytotoxicity, TDAR).
- Biomarker assay development and validation for immune monitoring and companion diagnostics (PD-L1, EGFR, MSI, ALK/ROS1).
Haematology, Pathology & Imaging
- Automated/manual haematology: blood morphology (human, primate, rodent).
- Coagulation assays: PT, APTT, fibrinogen, thrombin time; ESR.
- Platelet function testing across species; translational pathology workflows in clinical and toxicological studies.
- Microscopy expertise: light, confocal, and immunofluorescence imaging; biomarker localisation in tissues.
Pharmacology, Toxicology & Biomarker Analysis
- PK/PD study design and interpretation across rodent and non-human primate models, with translational alignment to human clinical studies.
- Expertise in toxicological and clinical safety datasets: biomarker identification, quantitative analysis, and regulatory submission-ready evaluation.
- EMA/FDA-compliant toxicology and pharmacology study oversight; GLP/GCP-aligned human and animal safety biomarker integration.
- Clinical interpretation of safety, efficacy, and biomarker endpoints to support IND/CTA/NDA submissions and patient stratification strategies.
Analytical Platforms & Data Systems
- Biacore, Blitz, interferometry for protein–protein interaction studies.
- LIMS, Veeva, ClinAxys, Workday, Spotfire.
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) – advanced data analysis, reporting, and visualisation.
- Statistics and data science: SPSS, GraphPad; collaborations using machine learning for translational biomarker modelling.
Professional Standards & Compliance
- GLP, GCP, GMP compliance in preclinical and clinical development.
- Regulatory authoring: IND, CTA, NDA/BLA contributions.
- Audit readiness, CAPA management, SOP authorship/review.
References
- Colby, Eaton, Associate Professor, C.L.Eaton@sheffield.ac.uk, Sheffield Medical School The University of Sheffield Medical School
- Richard, Edmondson, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology, Richard.edmondson@manchester.ac.uk, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT)
- James, Munday, Director | Global Head of Immunology and Immunotoxicology (I&I), James.Munday@labcorp.com, Labcorp Drug Development
Publications
- Walker, T. D. J. & Faraahi, Z. F. (2023). The DNA damage response in advanced ovarian cancer: functional analysis combined with machine learning identifies signatures that correlate with chemotherapy sensitivity and patient outcome. British Journal of Cancer, 128(9), 1629–1644.
- Gee, M. E. & Faraahi, Z. (2018). DNA damage repair in ovarian cancer: unlocking the heterogeneity. Journal of Ovarian Research, 11(1), 1–12.
- Faraahi, Z. & Baud'huin, M. (2019). Sostdc1: A soluble BMP and Wnt antagonist that is induced by the interaction between myeloma cells and osteoblast lineage cells. Bone, 122, 82–92.
PUBLIC ADVOCACY
- Target Ovarian Cancer Media & Scientific Ambassador:
- Public-facing campaign representative and research advocate
- Contributor to awareness and education around ovarian cancer: Zahra’s Story