Professor Nicholas Willoughby

After completing a PhD in Biochemical Engineering at University College London in 1999, Nik spent several years working in commercial therapeutic process development for Metris Therapeutics, before returning to UCL to continue downstream bioprocessing research at the industry-academic border, helping to establish the EPSRC-funded Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre for Bioprocessing (IMRC). In 2006 Nik established a bioprocessing research group at HWU and the group currently researches novel separation methods, process development, scale-up and sustainable bioprocessing. 

Nik is currently Head of the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering at Heriot-Watt, and the Academic Co-Lead of the Global Research Institute for Net Zero and Beyond. He was also instrumental in the spinout of Horizon Proteins, a company that seeks to add value to distillery by-products through recovery of high-quality protein for feed applications, and currently acts as CTO for the company. He is one of the founders of RESILIENCE, a not-for-profit company established to drive skills and training development in the medicines manufacturing and life sciences sectors. Nik is also chair of the Scottish Bioeconomy Council, responsible for the development of the original National Plan for Industrial Biotechnology in Scotland, and acts as Biotechnology Champion on the Scottish Government's Manufacturing Strategic Leadership Group.