Rebecca is an independent scientific consultant with almost two decades’ experience specialising in human-relevant science and alternatives to animal testing. She holds an MSc in Toxicology (with Bioinformatics) and a BSc in Applied Biology, following a decade working in clinical data management and programming across Phase I–IV clinical trials. Her particular expertise is in non-animal New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including advanced in-vitro and in-silico technologies, human blood and tissue-based models, organ- and tissue-on-chip technologies, AI, and the integration and analysis of clinical and other human-based data. She is particularly interested in how these technologies can be combined to create biologically relevant approaches to biomedical research and regulatory testing. She also works on the science and policy surrounding the transition to non-animal research, including emerging roadmaps and strategies in the UK, Europe and US. She has worked with scientific, commercial and NGO organisations and regularly contributes to research, conferences, webinars and academic events. This presentation provides some facts and figures on animal testing; the types of testing carried out on animals; which species of animals and how they are used. It also covers alternative scientific methods and replacing animal testing with modern technologies and finally covers why animal testing continues.

As Founder of UKIoT, a pioneering IoT company, Chris will share some unusual real-world examples. This presentation is an update on the current capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT), explaining how small, low-power sensors can collect information from the world around us and turn it into something useful. Drawing on real examples from buildings, agriculture, utilities and industry, and shows how connected sensing is already helping us monitor what we cannot easily see and how the application of AI can help us make sense of the enormous quantities of data now being generated.

Our usual end-of-year round up of topics and queries raised. If you'd like to suggest a question please contact the Chairman.