The People

Sandy Fisher John

Commercialisation Manager

I’ve always been interested in science but I knew early on that it was its practical application that really excited me. The possibilities, the potential and the impact that science and innovation can have in our lives are what really capture my imagination.

I studied materials science and gained a deep appreciation and understanding of the ‘stuff’ that makes up the world around us. I’m fascinated by how we can manipulate matter to best meet our needs and spent years developing better, more efficient ways to make and observe the materials we use in our everyday lives. However, even industrial R&D didn’t quite scratch the itch I had to see technologies in the hands of users who could really benefit from them. I transitioned into product management, looking for the applications and opportunities to bring cutting-edge technologies to the people and places that need them. Working as a Commercialisation Manager at Ploughshare means I’m never far from the science that I love but also get to be instrumental in the exciting journey from lab to license (or spin-out!) and beyond, where the wider societal impact is realised.

In my spare time, you will often find me with a power tool in hand, harnessing my creativity and problem solving to build, mend or modify pretty much anything I can find, giving the materials around me a new lease on life.