"I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside world-leading researchers, universities and commercial stakeholders, striving towards one common aim of improving the lives of those affected by neurodegenerative disease and dementia." Iraida Soria-Espinosa
UK DRI Senior Innovation and Business Manager
Roles & Responsibilities: Iraida is responsible for identifying and managing a portfolio of innovation projects from initial idea, disclosure, evaluation, through to a translational conclusion. Innovation projects may include licensing deals, spin-out formation, and strategic industry partnerships. She works alongside the Director of Innovation & Business providing support to translational activity related to UK DRI research.
Iraida joined the UK DRI as a Senior Innovation and Business Manager in July 2021, following three years working for the Licensing & Ventures team at Oxford University Innovation. In that role, Iraida looked after innovation projects arising from Oxford University research, with a specific focus on digital health technologies. Prior to that, Iraida did an internship as an analyst of seed-stage life sciences opportunities at Caixa Capital Risc, a venture capital fund based in Barcelona.
Iraida holds a BSc degree in Biotechnology and an MSc in Neuroscience from the University of Barcelona. She also holds a Masters in Business Management applied to life sciences companies from the BBI Business School.
Iraida loves cooking and trying new recipes, perhaps as an irremediable consequence of having been raised by extremely good cooks. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and escaping to the country and/or seaside – she will always be up for any type of outdoor activities (weather permitting)!
