This week, we’re joined by Dr Mike Stubbington, whose work spans single-cell genomics across academia and industry. He was part of the founding team of the Human Cell Atlas at the Sanger Institute, before moving to 10x Genomics to work on large scale single-cell and spatial data. Now Chief Scientific Officer at CS Genetics, Mike is focused on building tools that make single-cell genomics more accessible. We talk about his path into science, how his time at Cambridge shaped him, the move from academia to industry, what it’s like to help scale a biotech company, and the lessons he’s learned about leadership, risk, and building teams.

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Professor Tim Eisen to Gravity Encounters. As a Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Cambridge and Franchise Head of GU Oncology at Roche, Tim’s career spans academia, clinical practice, industry, and patient advocacy. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications and groundbreaking contributions to cancer research, including pioneering VEGF Receptor inhibitors and identifying genetic lung cancer risk factors, he’s had a profound impact on the field. Beyond his scientific achievements, Tim has been instrumental in shaping cancer care, leading one of the largest kidney cancer practices in the UK, and working closely with charities like Macmillan Cancer Support. Today, we’ll explore the pivotal moments, challenges, and inspirations that have defined his extraordinary career.

Today, we’re excited to welcome Sarah Teichmann to Gravity Encounters.

As Professor of Stem Cell Biology at the University of Cambridge and Vice President for Translational Research at GSK, Sarah has had a profound impact on single-cell genomics, immunology, and translational medicine.

Previously, she held positions at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, the European Bioinformatics Institute, and the Wellcome Sanger Institute, where she led large-scale single-cell projects that have transformed our understanding of human health and disease.

Sarah has co-founded Transition Bio and EnsoCell Therapeutics, applying single-cell and spatial genomics technologies, AI, and machine learning to drive novel therapeutic discovery. In addition, she is co-founder and co-leader of the international Human Cell Atlas consortium, which aims to create comprehensive reference maps of every human cell type.

Today, we’ll explore Sarah’s journey, from working on the fundamental principles of cell biology to leading global consortia and companies at the forefront of translational research.

Hosts: Emily James and Claudia Smith