Nik Willoughby
Professor
- Campus
- Edinburgh
- Department
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering
Biography
Nik has undertaken research in downstream processing, protein recovery and cellular therapies since completing a PhD at University College London in 1999.
He spent several years working in commercial protein purification 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’s group has developed novel separation processes for cell therapies as well as processes for the recovery of proteins and amino acids from such diverse raw materials as malt whisky by-products and langoustine shells.
Nik 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.
Nik is also chair of the Scottish Bioeconomy Council, responsible for the development of the National Plan for Industrial Biotechnology in Scotland