Dr Alla Silkina
Job title: Research Officer-Algal Research
My role: My role focuses on developing research and innovation partnerships in algal biotechnology — exploring how algae can be used to address industrial and environmental challenges. I work with companies to design R&D projects that turn algal science into practical solutions, from carbon capture and wastewater remediation to sustainable agriculture and bio-based materials.
Bio: I have worked at Swansea University since 2010, specialising in applied algal biotechnology. My research spans large-scale algal cultivation for bioremediation, biomass production, and the extraction of high-value compounds such as fatty acids, pigments, and proteins. I began my scientific career in Ukraine as an algal taxonomist, later completing a PhD in marine biotechnology and chemistry in France, and undertaking postdoctoral research in Malaysia on microalgae for aquaculture and environmental applications.
At the NP BioHUB Green Economy Centre, my work bridges academia and industry to develop environmentally friendly technologies that turn waste into resources and create cleaner, greener industrial systems. I collaborate with partners across sectors — from agriculture and aquaculture to heavy industry — to accelerate the adoption of algae-based solutions and expand Wales’s growing green economy.
Email: a.silkina@swansea.ac.uk
Dr Claudio Greco
Job title: Senior Lecturer in Biosciences
My role: My role focuses on uncovering bioactive natural products from fungi and exploring their potential applications across food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical industries. I work to identify new compounds, understand their biosynthetic pathways, and investigate how fungi use these molecules to survive and interact within complex microbial ecosystems.
Bio: I am a fungal biotechnologist and natural products chemist with research interests in the discovery and characterisation of secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi. My work aims to reveal how fungi evolved in competitive environments, such as the symbiotic systems of leaf-cutter ants, to produce unique bioactive compounds with potential use in medicine, agriculture, and industry.
Using a combination of molecular genetics, analytical chemistry, and metabolomics, my group investigates how these metabolites are synthesised and regulated — and how they can be harnessed for sustainable innovation.
At the Natural Products BioHUB, my research contributes to understanding the ecological roles of fungal metabolites and their application in biocontrol, bioengineering, and green chemistry. I am also passionate about developing new genetic tools to unlock previously inaccessible fungal biosynthetic pathways, helping to expand the discovery pipeline for natural products that could address global challenges such as antimicrobial resistance.
Learn more about my research: www.grecolab.com
Email: claudio.greco@swansea.ac.uk
Professor Eva C. Sonnenschein
Job title: Professor in Marine Microbiology
My role: My work focuses on understanding the microbial ecosystems that surround microalgae and microplastics, with the aim of developing sustainable, nature-based biotechnological solutions. I investigate how microorganisms interact with algae and marine pollutants, and how these relationships can be harnessed to promote cleaner, more resilient environments.
Bio: I am a marine microbiologist with expertise in microbial ecology, biochemistry, and biotechnology, exploring the complex relationships between microalgae, bacteria, and microplastics in marine systems. My research seeks to uncover the fundamental principles of these interactions — from how microbial communities shape algal health and productivity, to how they colonise and transform microplastics.
Microalgae contribute to nearly half of global carbon fixation and hold immense potential for biotechnological innovation, including applications in bioremediation, sustainable production systems, and climate mitigation. Through my work, I aim to integrate microalgae into scalable biological production systems and uncover microbial processes that support a cleaner marine environment.
Alongside my research, I am committed to teaching microbiology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, inspiring the next generation of scientists to explore the microbial world and apply molecular and computational tools to real-world sustainability challenges.
Learn more about my research: www.sonnenscheinlab.com
Email: e.c.sonnenschein@swansea.ac.uk
Caitlin Harris
Job title: Contracts Officer
My role: I work in the Natural Products Biohub project. My role is to draft, review and negotiate contracts and agreements that will be used to progress and support the project, while collaborating with the Swansea University Legal teams. My goal is to ensure that the needs of the project are supported and that the aims of the project and the aims of those we work with are met efficiently and effectively.
Bio: After completing my undergraduate and master’s degree in Classical Civilizations at Swansea University, I returned to complete my Graduate Diploma in Law. I have worked with various legal teams and projects to build a wealth of experience, and I am in the process of finalizing my qualifications as a solicitor in 2025. I hope that I will bring a unique perspective to my role within the Natural Products Biohub project.
Email: c.j.harris@swansea.ac.uk
Hamzah Bhatti
Job title: Research and Engagement Assistant
My role: My career has spanned more than 8 years of experience in implementing donor-based programs with expertise in the development sector. My goal as an Research and Engagement Assistant is to help Swansea University to create meaningful and measurable impact, and to build relationships with stakeholders to ensure that their mission and goals are achieved.
Bio: A professional with a sound academic background and extensive experience in the field of agriculture and international development I bring a wealth of expertise in organising and managing relationships by facilitating private sector engagement and collaborations. I hold a Double master’s degree under a scholarship of Erasmus Mundus led by consortium of Wageningen University, The Netherlands, Aarhus University, Denmark and University of Debrecen, Hungary.
Email: h.s.bhatti@swansea.ac.uk
Jane Kelly
Job title: Project Officer
My role: I provide dedicated project management support for the Centre Directors, Manager and Team. My role involves co-ordination of project plans, engagement and communication with stakeholders, monitoring and reporting progress, data analysis and administration of all stages of the NPB Centre project.
Bio: I have over 20 years’ experience of working on externally funded Research Projects within the University.
Email: j.kelly@swansea.ac.uk
Mustapha Touray
Job title: Research Assistant
My role: My research focuses on developing sustainable and economically viable pathogen, pest, and vector control methods.
Bio: I am a biologist with a PhD focused on natural products for pest control, particularly mosquitoes. My expertise spans fundamental and applied research in developing biological control agents, including natural products for mosquito vectors and crop pests, bacteria-derived metabolites for novel therapeutics and pest control, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), and semiochemicals (kairomones). I have had the opportunity to work with different groups around the world, including Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Swansea University, and the University of Copenhagen.
Email: Mustapha.touray@swansea.ac.uk
Qianyi Zhang
Job title: Research Assistant
My role: Support research projects associated with Natural Products BioHub connecting industry, academia, and the community.
Bio: I am a research assistant for Natural Products BioHUB with extensive experience in delivering technical support for research and commercial projects, including micro- and macro-algae research and medical research. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular cell biology and a Master of Research in computational biology at the University of York. I worked at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) as an algal support scientist and a researcher at Aeirtec Ltd. and University of Göttingen Medical School on asthma before joining NP BioHUB at Swansea University in 2024. I hope to support natural products research and make a positive impact on environmental sustainability, even just a little.
Email: qianyi.zhang@swansea.ac.uk
Raghib Mubassir Qazi
Job title: Research Assistant
My role: I support research projects by connecting academia, industry, and the community, aiming to contribute to meaningful scientific advancements.
Bio: I hold a BSc in Biotechnology from BRAC University, Bangladesh, and an MSc in Biotechnology and Enterprise from The University of Manchester, where I was awarded the Global Futures Scholarship. Previously, I worked as a QC Officer at Incepta Vaccines Limited in Bangladesh, ensuring vaccine product compliance with quality standards. I have experience working with bacteria, fungi, viruses, and mammalian cells, alongside a solid foundation in molecular biology, and I look forward to contributing to impactful research at Swansea University.
Email: R.m.qazi@swansea.ac.uk
Stephanie Footman
Job title: Marketing and Communications Assistant
My role: I lead on marketing and communications for Swansea University’s Natural Products BioHUB. My role includes content creation, stakeholder engagement and brand development. I’m also expanding our communications strategy to enhance visibility and collaboration across public and private sectors, helping the BioHUB realise its full potential as a catalyst for sustainable innovation.
Bio: With extensive experience in international marketing, I hold a degree in Corporate Communication from Lille University in France and have worked across a variety of sectors, most recently in the climate and sustainability space with Boston Consulting Group. My work has supported global campaigns, high-level executive communications, and cross-sector partnerships. I’m passionate about using communication to drive positive environmental and social impact. If you'd like to find out more about the BioHUB or explore ways to collaborate, feel free to get in touch!
Email: Stephanie.Footman@swansea.ac.uk
Tennessee Randall
Job title: Research Associate
My role: My role is to work with companies who are engaging in bioscience innovation to help them incorporate the consumer perspective into their commercialization and business model. I use consumer psychology methodologies and open science to ensure a rigorous approach. My goal is to contribute to knowledge exchange activities with internal and external stakeholders in a business context.
Bio: I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology and master’s degree in clinical and Mental Health Psychology at Swansea University. My PhD focused on consumer psychology of sustainable eating behaviours, with a focus on engaging committed meat eaters by challenging traditional approaches to behaviour change.
Email: tennessee.randall@swansea.ac.uk
Wanissa Mellikeche
Job title: Research Assistant
My role: Development of fungal biocontrol agents and biostimulants.
Bio: I am a researcher specialising in eco-friendly strategies for controlling plant pests and pathogens. My work focuses on bridging the gap between academic research and practical application, with a strong emphasis on industrial collaboration to deliver sustainable plant protection solutions to the market. I hold an industrial PhD carried out in partnership with three research institutes and two companies, during which I developed commercial molecular kits for rapid detection of toxigenic moulds and investigated alternatives to conventional postharvest chemical control methods. My goal is to translate innovative research into practical marketable tools that promote safer and more sustainable agriculture.
Email: wanissa.mellikeche@swansea.ac.uk
RamKumar Kothandam
Job title: Business Development Officer
My role: I manage the translation of research into sustainable and impactful technologies. My responsibilities include identifying and evaluating intellectual property, developing commercialization strategies, and supporting start-ups and spin-outs. I collaborate across academia, industry, and innovation offices to secure partnerships, funding, and licensing opportunities, ensuring that innovations progress from lab to market and contribute to regenerative and sustainable growth.
Bio: I am an experienced professional with 13+ years in innovation management, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary research. I hold three postdoctoral degrees in Materials Science, Biotechnology, and Environmental Chemistry from IIT Madras, along with a PhD in Nanoscience and Technology from Anna University. Throughout my career, I have pursued interdisciplinary research, driven research commercialisation, and built strategic partnerships supporting start-ups and product launches.
Email: ramkumar.kothandam@swansea.ac.uk
Babalwa Tembeni
Job title: Research Assistant-Chemical Biologist
My role: Contribute to the discovery and characterisation of novel bioactive compounds derived from fungi and algae, working across genomics, metabolomics, and applying molecular modelling techniques to explore potential biological activities.
Bio: I am a natural product chemist with a PhD from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, specializing in the biodiscovery of novel drug leads. My expertise includes extensive chromatographic techniques and structural elucidation using NMR and other analytical methods. I have contributed to projects spanning from bench-scale laboratory research to preclinical trials. My career spans both academia—as a postdoctoral research fellow at the African Genome Center in Morocco—and industry, where I worked as a chemical analyst at DSV HealthCare in South Africa.
Email: babalwa.tembeni@swansea.ac.uk
