Dr Erika Parkinson

Director of Research and Development

Dr Parkinson joined TopMD in June 2021 bringing over 20 years of experience as a molecular biologist spanning academic, industry, and biotech with extensive expertise in precision medicine, biomarker development, and machine learning and leading numerous large consortium multi-omics and clinical studies. Dr Parkinson joins from University Hospitals Dorset Foundation Trust, where she set up the Dorset Clinical Research Centre (DCRC) and Dorset Clinical Trials Unit (DCTU). She also managed an NIHR-funded MSK clinical intervention study and was part of a larger team managing various COVID clinical studies and vaccine trials. Prior to this, Dr Parkinson had a senior manager role at Solentim; as Head of Biology she set up and managed the newly built Tissue Culture Facility, over-seeing a team of biologists within R&D and working with senior managers across the company to deliver new products and improve the existing technology portfolio. Dr Parkinson holds a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science and a Diploma in Professional Skills from Nottingham Trent University winning the J Arthur Bowers prize for achievement during her 1-year industrial placement. Dr Parkinson also holds an MSc in Oncology from Nottingham University and a PhD in Oncology Dr Parkinson she used mass spectrometry and artificial neural networks to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in melanoma and breast cancer. Dr Parkinson carried out her post-doctoral research in the Centre for Proteomic Research at the University of Southampton, winning the Deans’ Award for Citizenship. Dr Parkinson also holds Visiting Fellow positions at both Bournemouth University and the University of Southampton.

Dr Rebee Penrice-Randal

Research Scientist

Dr. Penrice-Randal is a highly skilled molecular virologist specialising in RNA sequencing and bioinformatics. They have a particular interest in the rapid sequencing methodologies offered by Oxford Nanopore Technologies. In 2022, Dr. Penrice-Randal joined TopMD Precision Medicine, aiming to utilise their expertise and knowledge in the field of precision medicine. Rebee conducted postdoctoral research in molecular virology and informatics in the Hiscox Laboratory, University of Liverpool. Their research focused on examining the effects of antivirals on the mutational spectra of SARS-CoV-2 and analysing RNAseq data from various SARS-CoV-2 models to comprehend the host response to infection. Dr. Penrice-Randal holds a Ph.D. in Virology from the University of Liverpool, as well as a BSc (Hons) in Physiology and an MSc in International Public Health (Planning & Management) from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Rebee’s research interests primarily revolve around utilising RNA sequencing to investigate the molecular mechanisms of viral infection and diseases in humans. The skills and knowledge they have acquired in this field are applicable to other diseases and contexts. Currently, Dr. Penrice-Randal is channelling their expertise into the field of precision medicine at TopMD. They aspire to contribute to the development of new diagnostic tools, prognostic models, and innovative treatments for a vast array of human diseases.

Scott Wagers

Scott is based in Belgium as an expert in strategic design and guidance of medical research consortia. He supports leadership and delivery of flagship consortium projects such as U-BIOPRED, AirPROM, eTRIKS, BTCURE, COPD MAP, ERICA COPD, HealthPros, and ERS SHARP CRC - in total more than 179 million euros in research funding.

Angelike Kefalas

Angelike Kefalas has more than 20 years of experience in the diagnostic, medical device and pharmaceutical industry. She has a rich background in commercializing FDA-approved 510(k) products and selling to healthcare professionals, hospitals, physicians, patients / consumers and payers. In addition, she has built high performing commercial launch teams from the ground-up at several start-ups.
Before Pinpoint, Angelike was Head of Global Marketing and Communications at Medicines360, successfully launching LILETTA®, a 510(k) FDA and EMA-approved pharmaceutical drug-device product, with Mediciness360's co-promote partner Allergan. Before that, she was Vice President of Marketing at Amplify Health and Executive Director, Strategic Marketing at Tethys Bioscience, a molecular diagnostic company that commercialized and sold PreDx®, a 7 biomarker CLIA approved blood test. She also was the Director of Strategic Marketing, Market Research and Analytics at Abbott Diagnostics, relaunching the FreeStyle Glucose Meter, a POC consumer-driven med-device.
Throughout her career, Angelike has been involved in 7 product launches, 4 of which have been global. Angelike’s areas of expertise include: product and company positioning, developing go-to-market commercial strategy, optimizing sales growth, and business development.
Angelike holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, Columbia University, NY and a Masters degree from Haas Business School, University of California Berkeley (through a joint degree program). She also received her B.S. from Brandeis University in Molecular Biology.

Joann Rhodes

Joann Rhodes: Translation and Strategic Support
Founder - Director: Transres Ltd
Joann is a translational pharmacologist with experience spanning the life sciences R&D eco-system, across industry, academia, and biotech working as a consultant and holding senior positions for the Virtual Bio-Incubator, as visiting industry fellow at Imperial College National Heart and Lung Institute, UCL and within the pharmaceutical industry. In her recent roles at MSD as chief of staff, she successfully built the strategy and operations to start-up the UK-Discovery centre for diseases of Ageing at The Crick Institute; and at Pfizer, as external innovation scout, Joann created global multi-disciplinary strategic partnerships for small molecules and gene therapy programmes which have resulted in rationale to enable 4 candidates to reach the clinic.
Joann holds an Executive MBA from Imperial College obtaining the Dean’s award for academic achievement and Joan Woodward award for Organisational behaviour. An MSc in translational medicine from Edinburgh. She has a keen interest in creation of a positive infrastructure, to aid commercialisation to harness novel technologies for future life science innovation.