Sanger employee recognised in BioBeat’s top 30 trendsetters in UK life sciences  

Burcu Bronner-Anar is celebrated in BioBeat’s ‘Movers and Shakers in BioBusiness report’ that lists 30 UK trendsetters who are tackling some of the biggest health challenges of our time

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Burcu Bronner-Anar, Technician Commitment Manager at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, has been recognised in the eighth annual Movers and Shakers in BioBusiness report, released today (2 November 2021) by BioBeat. Burcu’s work in coordinating and managing the Sanger Technician Commitment programme ensures that technical staff across all disciplines are recognised and supported.

With the theme ‘Making opportunities’, the report from healthcare network, BioBeat, showcases 30 women at the forefront of the UK’s flourishing life sciences sector who are undertaking crucial work in order to address some of the largest health challenges of our time.

Burcu is challenging scientific culture by improving the visibility of technical staff at the heart of research. She is embedding a career framework for the 600-strong team of technical staff at the Institute, reshaping job descriptions for 200 Research Assistants and creating a role solely dedicated to retaining highly skilled technical specialists. In addition to this, she is sharing the model of championing recognition and visibility of technical staff with eight further research institutions.

The report includes women from other parts of the life sciences sector, including:

  • Pioneering scientists developing revolutionary healthcare products
  • Financial experts shaping the sector through diverse investments
  • Motivating and inclusive collaborators who get the job done
  • Innovators whose inventions are making an impact on patients’ lives
  • Infrastructure specialists supporting innovation at scale, from concept to execution

As well as insights from five alumni from previous reports who share their vision for the future.

“2021 has been a vindication of the power of science to make a difference to human health and the UK life sciences community continues to lead the way. Ranging from academia to industry and public sector to private equity, the leaders featured in this year’s report are shaping the healthcare landscape of the future. Congratulations to everyone featured and many thanks to the nominators and expert reviewers who provide their time and insights to make this such a valuable resource.”

Miranda Weston-Smith, BioBeat founder

“I am very privileged to be the voice of technical staff across UK universities and institutes and to be included among such an outstanding group of women recognised as the 30 UK trendsetters who are tackling some of the biggest health challenges of our time. I am incredibly proud of the work that we do at Sanger as a team, and I am glad that the fantastic work of all the women on the list is being recognised.”

Burcu Bronner-Anar, Technician Commitment Manager at the Wellcome Sanger Institute

“I am delighted that Burcu has been celebrated as one of the top 30 UK trendsetters in life sciences. She is a hugely talented and passionate member of staff and is creating a better space for all the technical staff at Sanger, and at other institutes, by ensuring that they get the visibility, recognition, and support that they deserve.”

Dr Julia Wilson, Associate Director at the Wellcome Sanger Institute

More information

The Movers & Shakers in BioBusiness 2021 report is available to download from 10:00 GMT on Tuesday 2 November 2021 at mws-consulting.co.uk/news-publications/

The Movers and Shakers in BioBusiness report is released in advance of the BioBeat21 Summit: Transforming medicine development through digital innovation on Tuesday 9th November, 14.00 – 16.30 GMT. This is livestreamed from AstraZeneca’s global R&D Centre in Cambridge, and is an event for scientists, entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors to explore how to optimise outcomes for patients through digital innovation.

Free registration is now open for the BioBeat21 Summit: Transforming medicine development through digital innovation at: https://www.astrazenecaevents.com/ZbDrQE?rt=AvB9uLKmokGmhr9pqyYEUg&RefId=Virtual