Women of Surrey Research Park 2026
The Women of Surrey Research Park campaign aims to celebrate the incredible women who are driving innovation, shaping industries, and creating impact within our thriving community. Aligned with this year’s United Nations International Women’s Day theme, "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls", the 2026 campaign highlights the stories of women making strides across a range of sectors, including: electronics; health and medical; IT software and data; professional services; space; veterinary and more.
This initiative showcases women at different stages of their careers, from ambitious early-career professionals to seasoned leaders and entrepreneurs, spotlighting their resilience, achievements, and contributions to our community. By sharing their journeys, we aim to inspire and empower all women and girls to consider careers in STEM. This year the nominated women come from a range of companies based on the Park, namely 22cans, Actica Consulting, Basemap, Datar Cancer Genetics, discoverIE Group, Eseye, NHS Bowel Cancer Screening, Ramon Space, Re:Cognition Health, Sammi-Select, Securium, Stars Edge, and ZYTCA.
With women making up just 26% of the STEM workforce, we hope to encourage more women to pursue STEM careers and bridge the gap.
Join us as we honour the dynamic women of Surrey Research Park, demonstrating that diversity is not just celebrated, it’s a driving force for progress.
Meet Atreyee, Sally and Consolata
Atreyee, Sally and Consolata exemplify women making exceptional strides in the health and medical fields.
Dr. Atreyee Saha, Director of Labratories and Technologies at Datar Cancer Genetics UK, brings biomedical innovation expertise from her PhD in Human Genetics to medical device development, and is a key figure in fostering and disseminating innovative technologies across the med-tech space in the UK. Within the Park ecosystem, she fosters vital industry-academia collaboration and actively mentors students, demonstrating her commitment to both patient interests and to nurturing future leaders.
Sally Benton is a UK leader in her clinical field of specialist biochemistry, and, as Hub Director, a major figure in the implementation and development of the early detection of bowel cancer, where she has made a significant contribution to one of the most successful national screening programmes in the last decade. Sally is also a Honorary Lecturer at the University of Surrey's School of Biosciences and has made a significant research contributions in her field of expertise.
Consolata Kerich is a Clinical Trial Coordinator at Re:Cognition Health whose work sits at the heart of delivering high-quality STEM research. She plays a key role across both the clinical and administrative aspects of running clinical trials, ensuring studies are set up, delivered, and monitored to the highest standards. Through her dedication, organisation, and professionalism, Consolata exemplifies the vital role STEM professionals play behind the scenes in advancing medical research in Alzheimer's and improving patients' lives.
Their work inspires others about the range of possibilities within these fields and how one can make a difference in STEM.
Atreyee Saha
Director - Laboratories and Technologies
Datar Cancer Genetics UK
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
I have dedicated my career to clinical science and diagnostics since my PhD, joining the medical device industry early on and working across global hubs like Singapore and the UK. My proud professional achievement lies in the end-to-end creation and commercialization of automated, high-tech medical devices in cancer care. Leading the system integration to bring these high-end technologies to market; where biochemistry marries with bioinformatics, microfluidics, computational science, material/surface science to meet urgent clinical needs: has been a truly remarkable journey.
Contributing to the global cancer continuum portfolio at Datar Cancer Genetics is equally rewarding, especially as I lead a sizeable team of brilliant scientific minds from the local Surrey area. While my medical device development achievements remain very close to my heart, I am equally proud of leading multidisciplinary and cognitively diverse teams from all walks of life. Having been locally educated in India and now leaving a global footprint of impact, I hope to inspire the next generation of young women from all backgrounds to see that they, too, can lead and innovate on the world stage.
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
Empowerment in the workplace must go beyond policy; it must be rooted in an organisational culture of inclusion and visibility. Workplaces can act by intentionally creating 'heterogeneous' teams where diversity of thought is seen as a true asset. By providing platforms for women to lead in complex, integrative fields; organisations can dismantle the siloed thinking that often holds women back. Mentorship is also vital; we must bridge the gap between senior leadership and young talent, ensuring that young women see a clear, supported pathway from the classroom to the boardroom.
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
Embrace the remarkable learning curve and never be afraid of technical complexity. Remember that your unique perspective and background are your greatest assets in a world where the most significant breakthroughs happen at the intersection of differences. Stay curious, be bold in your creative approach, and remember that every 'failed' experiment or setback is simply data that helps you refine your next successful move.
Dr Sally Benton
Hub Director, NHS Bowel Cancer Screening South of England Hub; Consultant Biochemist and Clinical Lead for Clinical and Specialist Biochemistry
NHS Bowel Cancer Screening South of England Hub
What does it mean for you to be featured as a Woman of Surrey Research Park?
I was delighted to be featured as a woman of Surrey Research Park. It reflects the great work of the NHS teams I work with that are based on the Surrey Research Park. These are the Bowel Cancer Screening Hub, the Southern Hub research team and the Specialist biochemistry Services and I feel very proud to represent all these departments. There are many other women in my teams that should also be featured. I hope that this exposure will create opportunities for collaboration with colleagues on the SRP, the University and more widely.
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
I feel very privileged to have such a varied job and to work with so many great people and I don’t really have a single highlight or achievement. Working in the NHS has always been important to me with the impact of everything we do being about supporting and improving patient care. I feel incredibly proud of the outstanding service the Bowel Cancer Screening hub provide to the whole of the South of England and the dedication and passion shown by the entire team at the hub. Throughout my 25 year career in the NHS, I was always very keen to be involved in research and being able to lead such a fantastic research team at the Hub and to have our work influence both national and international colorectal cancer diagnostic pathways is a huge privilege and I was delighted when the University of Surrey offered me an Honorary Chair at the School of Medicine which reflects all this amazing work. In addition I feel very lucky to have been able to continue my work as a Clinical Biochemist in hospitals covered by Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services. I am able to provide Clinical Leadership to our Specialist Biochemistry Services which include mass spectrometry techniques (LCMS and ICPMS) and specialist immunoassays. Within Specialist Biochemistry I have the privilege of working with amazing biomedical and clinical scientists who carry out analysis on blood, urine and tissue samples to generate results for patients across the country. Colleagues in this department have international reputations in their areas of expertise.
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
To a workplace/ employer I would encourage people to consider everyone’s individual circumstances and be flexible to their needs. By doing this you will get the absolute best out of people, whether this is a man or a woman.
Consolata Kerich
Clinical Trials Coordinator
Re:Cognition Health
What does it mean for you to be featured as a Woman of Surrey Research Park?
Being featured as a Woman of Surrey Research Park is incredibly meaningful to me. Working in clinical research, particularly in neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and migraines, I see every day how much innovation and dedication goes into improving patients’ lives. To be recognised within a community that drives research and technological advancement is both humbling and motivating.
It also represents visibility for women in clinical research, a field that plays a critical role in translating science into real-world treatments. I hope that by sharing my journey, I can help highlight the impact women are making in advancing healthcare and improving outcomes for patients and families affected by complex neurological conditions.
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
One of the highlights of my career has been coordinating clinical trials that contribute to potential new treatments for neurological conditions. Supporting studies in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, in particular, feels deeply meaningful because these conditions affect not only patients but entire families. I am especially proud to have been part of the clinical trials behind two drugs that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease which have recently been approved for use. Knowing that I contributed, even in a small way, to treatments that are now making a tangible difference in patients’ lives is incredibly rewarding.
I am also proud of the moments when trials successfully recruit and retain participants, knowing that their involvement could shape future standards of care. Seeing the dedication of patients who volunteer for research reinforces why this work matters. It reminds me that clinical research is not just about protocols and data, but about hope for individuals and families facing life-changing diagnoses.
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
Believe in your ability and don’t underestimate your voice. Be curious, ask questions, and seek mentors who support your growth. You don’t need to know everything at the start — confidence develops with experience. Most importantly, recognise the value you bring and trust that your contribution matters.
Meet Emily and Rebecca
Two exceptional women who champion women in STEM in their roles at Actica Consulting are Emily and Rebecca.
Alongside her day-to-day as HR Manager at Actica Consulting, Emily Joynes consistently advocates for women, from setting up initatives such as a Women's network for the company, to arranging cross-organisational events that highlight the achievements of women in STEM. Emily has also been working to ensure policies within the company are truly inclusive and that development processes give the employees of Actica the best possible opportunities to shine. She does all this with an approachable and friendly demeanor and is a great ambassador for women on the Research Park.
Principal Consultant Rebecca White joined Actica after completing a Physics PhD. She has extensive experience spanning enterprise, solution and security architecture, and security assurance, and has worked for a range of government clients. Rebecca takes an active role in recruitment and as a Performance Development Manager works to champion the next generation of women.
Both women go above and beyond to showcase, support, and advocate for women in STEM fields.
Emily Joynes
HR Manager
Actica Consulting
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
Last year I put together a panel event which brought together women from multiple companies across our group to both celebrate achievements and to discuss shared challenges. We received great feedback and I was proud to have spearheaded this, as it was something I’d never done before - if you had asked me a few years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined myself leading an initiative like this.
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
Outreach events can have a real impact by helping girls in school understand the range of career options available to them. Simply sharing enthusiasm for your sector or role can inspire someone to consider a path they might not have previously been aware of. Within the workplace, it’s crucial that senior leadership’s commitment to empowering women is clearly demonstrated through their actions and decisions, particularly where there are fewer women in leadership roles to serve as visible role models. This can be shown through activities such as Mentorship or Sponsorship programmes, flexible working and family leave policies, training (unconscious bias and leadership training) and data monitoring, to name a few.
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
Speak up about your achievements and strengths, and don’t be afraid to engage with people simply due to their seniority. Always be respectful, but remember that everyone is human, regardless of their role or years of experience.
Rebecca White
Principal Consultant
Actica Consulting
What does it mean to you to be featured as a woman of Surrey Research Park?
Throughout my academic studies and career having other woman to look up to and take inspiration from has been an important part of my journey. Having the opportunity to be part of a campaign that celebrates a wide diversity of experiences across the Research Rark and to play my own small part in helping to encourage and inspire others is really special.
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
A highlight of my career has been the opportunity to work within tight knit multidisciplinary teams to deliver IT services that make a difference to the people that use them, whether that is helping the general public to engage with government services in a new way or staff to conduct their work more efficiently. Working alongside other disciplines such as user researchers, content designers, service designers and developers has been hugely rewarding. The exposure to different ways of thinking and new skills has enabled me to become an even better consultant as a result. Without a doubt completing my PhD in Physics will remain as one of my proudest achievements!
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
Say yes to trying out new things even if you don’t know how they will work out or if you will enjoy them. Saying yes has given me a variety of client facing roles and has enabled me to grow my skills and experience in other areas such as recruitment and mentoring. Not every opportunity I’ve taken has worked out in the way I might have expected or hoped, but every experience has shaped my career in interesting ways that I could never have imagined or planned for before joining the workplace.
Meet Alex and Claire
Alex and Claire are a testament to the importance of technical support and diverse perspectives in STEM.
Alex Laven, Product Owner at Basemap Ltd. plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the company's software to directly support clients working in highly technical environments. Alex is widely respected for her technical knowledge, professionalism, and collaborative approach, and consistently receives excellent feedback for her ability to communicate complex technical issues in a clear and accessible way. Alongside her work, she goes above and beyond to build an inclusive, supportive workplace.
Claire O'Connor, Senior Project Manager at Ramon Space, delivers advanced space technology developments and volume flight hardware for Europe’s only Telecommunications LEO satellite constellation. Working in a dynamic environment, she assiduously coordinates multidisciplinary engineering and production teams working on and delivering these complex systems. Throughout all this, she leads with authority, being both tenacious and resolute in her approach.
Their journeys highlight the limitless opportunities in STEM, inspiring others to pursue their passions and make a difference.
Alex Laven
Product Owner
Basemap Ltd
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
It’s difficult to pinpoint just one thing. I never imagined myself working in this industry, so I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I started with little to no knowledge, so the experience and understanding I’ve gained since then feels like a real achievement in itself.
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
With women still largely expected to take on more caregiving responsibilities while building careers, we tend to face barriers that can slow advancement. We’re often penalised for this making it difficult to move forward professionally, and combined with ongoing pay gap issues, can even push some women out of the workforce altogether. Workplaces can empower women and girls by investing in their development while recognising and celebrating their perspectives and innovation, which will ultimately benefit workplaces.
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
I’d say believe in yourself. We’re often far more capable than we realise and don’t always give ourselves the credit we deserve. Be brave and put yourself out there, because you can achieve more than you think, regardless of what others may say. It’s something I’m still learning myself, and I hope I fully embrace it by the time my own daughter reaches this stage of her life.
Claire O'Connor
Senior Project Manager
Ramon Space
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
One of the achievements I’m most proud of is successfully transitioning my career from finance into project management, leading complex engineering and product development projects. It wasn’t a traditional move, and it certainly wasn’t without its challenges. I stepped into highly technical environments, where I had to quickly build credibility, learn new domains, and operate with confidence alongside deep subject matter experts.
What I’m proud of isn’t just the transition itself, but the fact that I’ve been able to make a real impact in those roles. Delivering complex projects, improving ways of working, and supporting engineering teams to navigate ambiguity and risk, whilst bringing a different perspective shaped by my financial and commercial background. That shift has reinforced something I strongly believe; that there isn’t a single path to success in our industries. Diverse experiences aren’t a weakness; they’re often what enables better decisions, stronger teams, and more effective delivery.
Looking back, it’s the willingness to step outside my comfort zone, and keep learning that I’m most proud of, and it continues to shape how I approach every new challenge.
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
For me, empowering women and girls in the workplace isn’t a tick box exercise, particularly in industries that are playing catch up on equal representation, it has to be a real conscious effort to create environments where they feel both supported and genuinely valued. It’s about everyday behaviours; making sure voices are heard, giving credit where it’s due, and creating space for people to step into opportunities before they feel 100% ready. Confidence comes from experience, not the other way around.
To use the word again, visibility also plays a big role. Seeing women in leadership positions, particularly in technical or traditionally male-dominated fields, helps to make those career paths feel normal and more accessible. I also think it’s important to recognise that careers aren’t always linear. Workplaces that value diverse experiences, different entry points, and transferable skills create more opportunities for people to grow and succeed in their own way.
Ultimately, empowerment comes from a combination of culture, opportunity, and trust. When organisations get that balance right, they don’t just support women—they enable them to thrive
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
I would say, keep an open mind. Careers, even individual roles, often don’t follow a straight line, and some of the most valuable opportunities come from stepping into something new before you feel completely ready. It’s easy to look around and assume everyone else has a clear plan, but in reality, most people are learning as they go.
Be curious, ask questions, and don’t underestimate the value of your voice, especially in environments where you might feel in the minority. You don’t need to have all the technical answers to add value; your way of thinking, your judgement, and connecting ideas make the difference. Also, have confidence in yourself. There will be moments where you doubt whether you’re ready or capable, that’s completely normal. Your confidence will grow with experience and don’t be afraid to ask the daft questions!
And finally, seek out people who not just support but challenge you. The right environment and the right people can make a huge difference to how you grow and what you go on to achieve.
Meet Yuki and Cosmina
At Eseye, Yuki and Cosmina are crucial pillars of the organisation, making STEM accessible, approachable, and impactful.
In her role as HR Advisor, CIPD-qualified Yuki Yamane brings her ambition and drive to Eseye through her skilled handling of candidate recruitment and engagement. Yuki took over recruitment while juggling returning to work as a new mother, and has been doing a fantastic job attracting and keeping candidates engaged during the recruitment process and through to onboarding. She is also involved with arranging internships for students, employee training and development, and employee wellbeing, and does her role with genuine care and conscientiousness.
Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, Cosmina-Stefania Brinzan exemplifies data-driven leadership at the heart of IoT innovation and commercial growth. In her role, she has shaped pricing and forecasting, completing complex pricing models and steering value-based decisions. Her career journey – from Graduate Finance Analyst to department lead – shows inspiring progression, and her empathy and clarity to complex analytics makes STEM approachable and impactful for colleagues and partners alike.
Yuki Yamane
HR Advisor
Eseye
What does it mean to you to be featured as a woman of Surrey Research Park?
Being featured as a Woman of Surrey Research Park feels incredibly meaningful. The Park is home to so many innovative companies and talented individuals, so being recognised within this community is both humbling and empowering. For me, it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come in my career and a celebration of the work women contribute every day across tech industry. It also feels like an opportunity to represent other women who may not always see themselves reflected in the tech industry, and to show that there is space for us, not just in technical roles but in the people functions that help businesses thrive.
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
One of my proudest achievements is completing my CIPD Level 5 qualification while working full time. Balancing the demands of study alongside a busy HR role taught me discipline, resilience, and just how much I’m capable of when I commit fully. I’m also incredibly proud of how I’ve continued to thrive in my career while becoming a mother. Navigating that transition has deepened my empathy and strengthened my passion for creating and supporting a positive and compassionate working environment. I’m especially proud of building trust within the business—becoming someone people feel they can turn to for support, whether they’re managers navigating tricky situations or employees looking for guidance in their careers. For me, those moments of impact are the real highlights.
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, put yourself forward, or admit when you don’t know something — honestly, nobody has it all figured out at the start. Focus on learning, stay curious, and surround yourself with people who lift you up. And trust your instincts: if something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to speak up or move on. Most importantly, believe that you deserve to be in every room you walk into. Confidence builds over time, but backing yourself from day one makes all the difference.
Cosmina-Stefania Brinzan
Head of Financial Planning & Analysis
Eseye
What does it mean to you to be featured as a woman of Surrey Research Park?
Being featured feels validating, it's very meaningful to be recognised and appreciated for the work I do. Historically, women's contributions have been undervalued, and while there's still a lot of progress to be made towards true equality, initiatives like these, that recognise and celebrate women, are a step in the right direction. It also reminds me of how grateful I am to have the opportunities that I do today, knowing that my achievements or overall career path may not have been possible had I been born in another time or place.
What is the highlight of your career or achievement you are most proud of so far?
One of the highlights of my career has been building and transforming a data-driven commercial finance function that shapes business strategy: building advanced pricing and forecasting models, improving revenue and margin visibility, and supporting negotiations across global partners and customers. Seeing these changes directly improve profitability and decision-making while stepping into a Head of FP&A role early in my career has been something I’m extremely proud of.
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
Real empowerment comes from structural action. Actively hiring and promoting more women, particularly in traditionally male-dominated fields, makes the biggest difference in terms of creating an inclusive and supportive working environment. Mentorship programmes can help support progression, and training around unconscious biases and workplace behaviours is essential, as is a consistent commitment to building a psychologically safe environment where inappropriate behaviour is not tolerated. It's also important to recognise how women might lead differently: we are often expected to adapt to dominant, competitive leadership styles to succeed. Lasting change comes when we teach and value collaboration, empathy and shared leadership as strengths and we create space for diverse approaches to thrive.
Meet Patricia and Nikki
Patricia Marais and Nikki More are two remarkable women working in the specialist areas of innovative electronics and video games.
As Executive Assisant and Office Manager for discoverIE, Patricia Marais balances supporting the Chief Executive while also managing the demands of the office, including maintenance, health and safety, travel arrangements, and even executing a complete office refurbishment. In March 2020, Patricia was the lynchpin of the organisation, going into the office every day from when she was allowed, usually completely on her own, and keeping things running. Patricia takes on her role with a bright smile, caring personality, and a 'can-do' attitude.
Nikki More, Human Resources, Finance Manager and Executive Assistant at 22cans is the steady centre of day-to-day operations. She supports the business with clear, reliable finance processes, thoughtful planning, and careful oversight. Nikki leads with an amazing kindness and fairness, supporting colleagues through challenges, improving ways of working, and helping new team members settle quickly. Within all her designations, she combines warmth, resilience, and exceptional competence to raise standards and strengthen culture without creating pressure.
Patricia Marais
Executive Assistant and Office Manager
discoverIE Group PLC
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
Rather than identifying a single career highlight, I have consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and have always strived to do my best wherever I go. I began my career in the banking sector and was appointed a bank manager at the age of 26. I later transitioned into the legal sector, where I once again became a valued team member. After relocating to the UK, I assumed the position of Executive Assistant and Office Manager at discoverIE, continuing my commitment to excellence as part of an outstanding team.
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
To empower women and girls in the workplace, it is essential for organisations to cultivate an environment that values diversity, encourages open dialogue, and provides equal opportunities for growth. Mentorship programmes, transparent promotion pathways, and flexible working arrangements can play a pivotal role encouraging confidence and ambition among female employees.
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
Maintain a strong work ethic and consistently strive for excellence. Treat colleagues with respect. Uphold confidence and do not tolerate intimidation. Always recognise and value your own abilities. Show passion and excitement in all you do.
Nikki More
Human Resources, Finance Manager and Executive Assistant
22cans
What does it mean to you to be featured as a woman of Surrey Research Park?
It genuinely feels very special to be recognised in a place where I’ve spent so much of my working life. I’ve been based at the Surrey Research Park with 22cans for over ten years, so being featured feels like a real honour. It’s also really inspiring to see so many talented women across different industries being celebrated.
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
For me personally, it comes down to genuinely listening to and trusting women and recognising that everyone has different strengths and ways of working. I believe true empowerment happens when people feel supported to grow and are given responsibility, not just through policies but in the small, everyday ways that really make a difference.
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
I’d say don’t underestimate yourself. Be curious, ask questions and take opportunities as they come, even if you don’t feel completely ready. Confidence grows with experience and there’s no single “right” path, the important thing is to find the one that feels right for you.
Exceptional entrepreneurship: The women of SETsquared Surrey
The SETsquared Surrey incubator sitting on Surrey Research Park is home to a number of incredible women-led businesses working across multiple of STEM fields. Their work spans the IT Software and Data, Recruitment Technology, Space, and Veterinary sectors, where they are pushing boundaries and making significant strides in their respective fields.
These women represent powerful examples of female leadership in traditionally male-dominated fields, inspiring future generations of women in STEM whilst acting as catalysts for positive change.
Working in SETsquared Surrey, they are not only successful in their individual roles, but are also committed to supporting each other’s businesses, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment amongst like-minded women.
Read more about them below and get inspired!
Exceptional entrepreneurship: The women of SETsquared Surrey
The SETsquared Surrey incubator sitting on Surrey Research Park is home to a number of incredible women-led businesses working across multiple of STEM fields. Their work spans the IT software and data, recruitment technology, Space, and Veterinary sectors, where they are pushing boundaries and making significant strides in their respective fields.
These women represent powerful examples of female leadership in traditionally male-dominated fields, setting an example for future generations of women in STEM, whilst acting as catalysts for positive change.
Working in SETsquared Surrey, they are not only successful in their individual roles, but are also committed to supporting each other’s businesses, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment amongst like-minded women.
Read more about them below and get inspired!
Meet Anna and Sara
Two woman CEOs who are trailblazers in their fields are Dr Anna Vartapetiance and Sara Alão.
As CEO, Dr Anna Vartapetiance works tirelessly to make the world a better and safer place with Securium, an AI Risk Intelligence company that is making strides in preventing child sexual abuse, supporting counter-terrorism efforts, reducing online discrimination, combating harassment, and tackling financial crimes. Beyond Securium, she is the Founder/Director of the Online Safety Tech Industry Association (OSTIA) and a winner of a Women in Innovation award.
Sara Alão exemplifies pioneering leadership in deep-tech aerospace innovation. As Founder and CEO of Stars Edge Ltd., she is revolutionising satellite propulsion through air-breathing technology that enables the world's lowest sustained orbital satellites. Her company's breakthrough designs will make space more sustainable, affordable, and accessible. She serves as a Royal Academy of Engineering ERA Enterprise Fellow, TEDx speaker, and Aerospace Industry Advisory Board Member at University of Manchester.
Both women embody passion, innovation, and inspiration within STEM.
Dr Anna Vartapetiance
CEO
Securium
What does it mean to you to be featured as a woman of Surrey Research Park?
Being featured means visibility, but also recognition of entrepreneurship. At heart, I’m driven by building, solving problems, and turning ideas into something that has real impact. Surrey Research Park is full of people doing exactly that, so being recognised here feels like being part of a community that values innovation and action. Visibility matters too. If someone earlier in their career sees this and thinks, “I could do that too,” then it’s worthwhile.
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
The work I’m proudest of is the impact I’ve been able to make through Securium, particularly around the safety of women and girls online. Technology has huge potential for good, but it also creates risks that can be invisible until harm happens. Being able to provide solutions that help organisations create safer digital spaces by detect and prevent online harms and crimes, is what motivates me. It’s less about a single achievement and more about knowing the work makes a genuine difference in people’s lives.
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
Recently I was reminded of something simple: you’re going to be judged anyway. So, you might as well be yourself. The wrong people will have opinions no matter what you do, so don’t waste energy trying to please everyone. Focus on finding your tribe, the people who see you, challenge you, and sometimes nag you a little when you need a push. Those are the voices that matter. Be real, work hard, and let the right people find you.
Sara Alão
CEO
Stars Edge
What does it mean to you to be featured as a woman of Surrey Research Park?
Being featured this year as a woman of Surrey Research park is quite the honour. Being recognised for my effort, time and impact is extra special when it is coming from the same place that cradles so much heritage and legacy in the global space industry. It makes me feel like I belong and to keep going at it!
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
Having a role model is super important, you don't see many people in the space industry let alone in entrepreneurship, and much less women. Participating in outreach and public facing relationships to inspire anyone to take the mantle and join this fantastic space is so crucial. I never had someone like that to look up to in my field, and being there to show what options one can take, and what is possible is now more important than ever. Workplaces should encourage this sort of outreach to all ages, as it is never to late to be inspired or to pivot into something new! It is one of our pillars in the company and something I hope others can join us.
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
Do not worry if your first job is your life's dream, and do not worry to switch around. What matters most is your growth and where you can find it, even in extracurricular activities and hobbies to your main work. I know of many people who switched industries three to four times before they found the right fit and that is okay! The best thing is to keep going, growing and trying to find positive meaning in what you are doing. Fulfilment is a process that takes time, but what is important is in the journey to find where you belong that you never lose track of your own physical and mental health!
Meet Alison and Ming-shan
Dr Alison Callwood and Dr Ming-shan Tsai are two founders and leaders that illustrate the diversity of STEM.
Dr Alison Callwood, CEO and founder of Sammi-Select, is a former midwife turned tech entrepreneur, where she has translated academic rigour and real-world insight into AI- and diversity-driven recruitment tools that reduce bias and improve outcomes for neurodivergent and marginalised groups. She leads award-winning R&D including the GENIUS neuroinclusive selection project, highly commended at the British Diversity Awards, and is a Women in Innovation award holder, Purple Plaque recipient, and was recognised at the 2025 Women of the Year Awards.
As Chief Scientific Officer and Co‑Founder of ZYTCA, Dr Ming‑Shan drives innovation through her deep expertise in molecular diagnostics and her genuine passion for improving animal welfare. Her determination to push technological boundaries keeps the ZYTCA team at the forefront of STEM, and her readiness to travel anywhere at a moment’s notice to support disease‑outbreak response demonstrates extraordinary dedication to One Health. Beyond her scientific achievements, Ming‑shan also uses her business acumen to contribute to marketing, strategy, and team development.
Dr Alison Callwood
Founder and CEO
Sammi-Select
What does it mean to you to be featured as a woman of Surrey Research Park?
I feel quite honoured. Surrey Research Park is such a hub of ideas, creativity and people trying to make a real difference, so to be recognised here feels very a privilege. I am proud of what we have built, but I am also aware that none of it happens in isolation and it’s the community around you that makes innovation possible. And if being visible as a woman founder helps someone else think, “maybe I could do that too,” then that means even more.
What is the highlight of your career, or an achievement that you are most proud of?
We were awarded Highly Commended at the British Diversity Awards in 2025, I could not believe it! Also the Innovate UK Woman in Innovation Award. Starting Sammi-Select and turning research into something that genuinely changes people’s experiences has been an incredible journey. We have seen candidates feel less anxious, more confident and actually perform better simply because we designed interviews with people in mind. Watching data show that we have helped level the playing field, especially for neurodivergent people, is incredibly rewarding
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
For me, it’s about fixing systems rather than asking women to “fit in better.” Things like fair hiring, flexible working, clear progression and having women genuinely represented in leadership make a huge difference. When workplaces actively open doors and value different perspectives, that’s when we can really thrive.
Dr Ming-shan Tsai
Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder
ZYTCA
What does it mean to you to be featured as a woman of Surrey Research Park?
It is a tremendous honour to be recognised alongside the incredible innovators within this ecosystem. For me, this feature validates the journey I’ve taken from an academic researcher to a biotech entrepreneur. The Surrey Research Park represents a hub where science meets real-world application, which aligns perfectly with my mission at ZYTCA.
Being featured also feels like a responsibility. The fields of hardware diagnostics and veterinary technology can often be male-dominated. By being visible here, I hope to show that women are not just participating in these sectors but are leading the technological disruptions that will define the future of One Health and global biosecurity.
How can workplaces act to empower women and girls?
Empowerment needs to move beyond slogans and into structural support. In the biotech sector, this means creating 'safe spaces to fail' for junior female scientists. Innovation requires risk-taking, but women often feel they have to be perfect to be taken seriously.
At ZYTCA, we actively build this structural support into our daily operations. I am incredibly proud that 100% of our senior leadership team is female. To ensure everyone feels safe to innovate, we intentionally operate with a flat organizational chart and no obvious hierarchy. By removing those traditional corporate barriers, we foster an environment where we genuinely respect each other's opinions. Every team member—regardless of their title—feels confident to speak up, share their boldest ideas, and take the scientific risks necessary to drive our industry forward.
What would you say to any young women entering the workplace?
Don't self-reject, and don't apologise for your ambition. In the early stages of my career, especially in field epidemiology, I often worried if I was 'qualified enough' to be in the room. I learned that your unique perspective is your greatest asset, not a liability. If you have an idea—whether it’s a new scientific method or a business improvement—speak up. The world needs your voice. Surround yourself with mentors who push you to think bigger than you think you are capable of and remember that resilience is just as important as intelligence.
Surrey Research Park is a vibrant, innovative business community comprising over 200 companies in Guildford, and is at the heart of the Surrey Innovation District ecosystem.
Surrey Research Park celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, a milestone marking four decades of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
From our groundbreaking beginnings to becoming the thriving hub of cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship we are today; Surrey Research Park has been a driving force for progress and growth.
Established in 1985 by the University of Surrey, today the Park supports the growth of a wide range of pioneers and research-led companies — from entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs, through to global brands and Primes.
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