Innovative UCL East academic Dr Qasim Rafiq named among top influencers in medicine

The Power List includes Nobel laureates, multi-national CEOs and leading researchers who are ‘driving the industry forward and saving lives by developing new medicines’, according to The Medicine Maker. Dr Qasim Rafiq (UCL Biochemical Engineering) is one of a highly select group of just 20 global influencers in the ‘Advanced Medicine’ category. 

Working at the intersection between biology, chemistry and engineering, Qasim focuses on the biomanufacture of advanced therapeutics, including regenerative, cellular and gene-based therapy. This includes the entire ‘bioprocess’ from sourcing raw materials and cells, through to cell expansion in bioreactors and the downstream processing needed to purify and concentrate cell product for delivery to the patient. 

Much of Qasim’s activity is in close collaboration with industry partners. In a recent interview he said: “In order to continue to develop new therapeutic and healthcare interventions we need to ensure improved industry, academic and clinical collaborations.”

Qasim is launching the Commercialisation and Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies MSc in September 2020, before its move onto the UCL East campus in 2023. 

Read more about his achievements >