The Innovation Commission
UKAD’s Innovation Commission was established in 2019 with the purpose of harnessing expertise, diverse perspectives, and insight from within the UK’s private and public-sector science industries to safeguard the UK’s position at the forefront of international efforts to prevent doping, and inform, educate and empower all those involved in sport and anti-doping.
The Commission is tasked with advising on horizon-scanning activities, identifying transferable technology from other sectors, facilitating collaborations with external industry contacts, and supporting the development of an innovative culture across UKAD.
Dr Akor is a UKAD Board Member and Chair of the Innovation Commission. She was also a member of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Pharmacy Clinical Services Group between 2009 and 2012 and has 15yrs + experience in academia, consultancy, the pharmaceutical industry and the NHS.
Prof Cowan is the former Director of the UK’s WADA-accredited laboratory, the Drug Control Centre (DCC) and has over 40 years' experience in laboratory science and is a world expert on drug detection and anti-doping. He was featured in the Queen’s New Year 2016 Honours - appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to anti-doping science.
Prof Laycock is the Founding Director of the Home Office Police Research Group and the UCL Jill Dando Institute. She has over 20 years' experience carrying out research and development in prisons, policing and crime prevention around the world and was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2008 for services to crime policy.
Prof Boardley is an internationally renowned academic researcher and expert in psychosocial processes influencing moral behaviour in sport and exercise. He has 20yrs + experience in academic research supported by funding from WADA, the IOC, European Union, and the Economic and Social Research Council and is a founding member of the Clean Sport Alliance, an international collaborative of anti-doping researchers, representatives of anti-doping organisations and athletes.
Prof Caine is the Strategic Advisor to the NCUB, contributing to several policy shaping reports on University Business Partnerships. He is a long time collaborator with Innovation colleagues at MIT (including as Visiting Professor) and leads on the development and deployment of initiatives to support regional Innovation Clusters across the UK.
Dra Marshall champions effective collaboration between UK universities and businesses to develop research, commercialisation, entrepreneurship, delivering shared benefits across the economy and society. He is a specialist in government education policy and practice, working with UNESCO, WHO and the European Parliament and has past experience with UK Sport, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and as Head of Education at UKAD.
Dr Pringle has 15 years of senior leadership experience in British World-Class sport sector, incl. team leadership, coach practitioner, research manager and supervisor, as well as various leadership roles with research, innovation and education responsibilities within British Athletics and English Institute of Sport. He also has 7 years’ technical directorship and consultancy in commercial sports sector and 10+ years’ experience as a senior academic, researcher and reviewer.
Dr Kechagioglou was a consultant oncologist in the NHS for 13 years and has had various leadership roles in research work looking at the impact of digital and AI in workforce health and wellbeing. She holds an MBA and a doctorate degree in business administration with specialism in innovation and leadership and is a specialist advisor for the CQC, NICE and the GMC, MHRA and member of various scientific committees for the Nuffield and Circle Hospitals and other private institutions.
Jack has10+ years' experience advancing responsible approaches to data collection, sharing and use, including for the world-leading Open Data Institute. He is an expert in topics of data stewardship, governance and ethics, with experience advising governments, international NGOs and large technology organisations, alongside multiple publications, including on the economics of data, public participation and data governance for AI. Additionally he is an independent consultant to organisations researching, funding and building responsible data and AI systems.
Nikki has a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge and joined UKAD in 2020 after working for 15 years in the NHS as a Clinical Scientist (Biochemistry). Nikki has experience in anti-doping science research project management, including both analytical and social science topics.
Sam has worked at UKAD for almost 7 years, with roles within the Science & Medicine team and Assurance team, where he project managed the implementation of the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code. As Head of Insight & Innovation, Sam has secured government funding for the development of UKADs Data Analytics capabilities. He has also established an international data analytics working group which includes the WADA, the ITA, AIU, and a growing list of the world’s leading NADOs.
Tony is a highly experienced member of the Senior Leadership Team leading high performing staff to deliver UKADs Strategic objectives in the areas of Education, International and National Relations and Insight and Innovation. Has been a part of UKAD since its inception in 2009 and has over 20 years of anti-doping knowledge and experience. Tony has expertise in relation to the compliance and governance issues that impact anti-doping globally and has designed and implemented UKADs International Strategy, and well as managing laboratory relationships, major events, results management, testing and operations.