As one of the leading institutions in the world, Imperial College London is renowned for its exceptional focus on innovation, research, and scientific excellence. It fosters an environment that pushes boundaries and encourages groundbreaking contributions in fields such as engineering, medicine, and business. The College has a history of cultivating leaders who make transformative impacts globally. Among its distinguished alumni is Lisa Taylor, CEO of Particology, who embodies the values of innovation and leadership instilled at Imperial. Lisa’s expertise in materials science, combined with her leadership skills, has been instrumental in shaping Particology since its founding. Her journey from Imperial College to leading a successful contract research and development organization reflects the powerful foundation provided by her academic experiences. With a commitment to advancing healthcare and an ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, Lisa continues to drive meaningful progress in the industry.

In a close interview with us, she shared with us her educational background, her challenges and many more.

Could you share details about your educa­tional background or academic journey? What areas have you studied?

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Business Studies from the University of Birmingham, a Master of Science in Hydrocarbons and Petrochemicals from UMIST, and a PhD in Tribology from Imperial Col­ lege London. My formative years were significantly shaped by my parents’ separation during my early pri­mary school years, which led to me and my brother being raised by our father, an unusual arrangement at the time. Growing up in a male-dominated house­hold without a strong maternal influence, I developed a tomboyish nature, spending weekends at sports events and learning cricket scoring while accompa­nying my dad. My father’s progressive outlook encour­aged me to pursue grammar school and later univer­sity, milestones that were uncommon in my family. This shift, combined with a newfound academic fo­cus, especially in mathematics, during that turbulent time, steered me toward a love for learning. Support­ive secondary school teachers, particularly in science, further nurtured my passion for chemistry, ultimately guiding me toward a fulfilling academic and profes­sional career in the sciences.

“To drive growth, i focus on prioritizing opportunities within the pharmaceutical sector while exploring the potential in industries like food and cosmetics, leveraging our expertise in particle technology”

How has your unconventional path in pharmaceutical material science influenced your career, leadership, and decision to start a business?

My unconventional background in pharmaceutical material science began with the Medway Science Scheme, which valued broader skill sets over specif­ic experience, giving me a chance to transition into a field I couldn’t have entered based on my CV alone. Early in my career, I worked on micronization and milling processes, but when my company discontin­ued inhalation development in 2011, I chose to expand my expertise into solid-state chemistry and particle characterization. This decision allowed me to lead critical material science projects that have positively impacted patients' lives. In 2019, I became the team leader for the particle characterization group, broad­ening my influence on decision-making and strategy while discovering my passion for leadership and men­toring. Supporting young scientists and seeing their growth has been deeply rewarding and inspired me to start my own business, where I continue to combine technical expertise with a commitment to fostering talent.

Can you introduce Particology to us? What inspired the venture, and what are its main areas of expertise?

As for Particology, the venture stands out in two key ways. First, our team consists of seasoned scientists each with over 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, enabling us to solve complex challenges effectively. Second, we offer multidisciplinary exper­tise, covering the entire particle development journey from solid form selection and crystallization to par­ticle property optimization and formulation design. Our 'one-stop-shop' approach provides smaller clients with access to comprehensive development capabili­ties similar to those of large pharmaceutical compa­nies. The idea behind Particology arose after the exit of our division from Pfizer, driven by our shared belief in the value of integrating every stage of particle de­velopment to deliver superior outcomes.

As the CEO of Particology, what are your key roles and responsibilities? What areas do you prioritize to drive the company’s growth?

As the CEO of Particology, my role has been centred on project managing the establishment of the organi­zation, managing legal and operational requirements, and overseeing human resources and recruitment, which are tasks that align with my prior experience in technical recruitment. I also play a key role in de­cision-making, ensuring team alignment, while con­tributing as a subject matter expert in particle char­acterization. To drive growth, I focus on prioritizing opportunities within the pharmaceutical sector while exploring the potential in industries like food and cosmetics, leveraging our expertise in particle tech­nology. Strategic partnerships with service provid­ers are a core focus, as they enhance our capabilities, strengthen client relationships, and support sustain­able growth for the company.

Could you share some of the major obstacles you face in your current role and how you work to overcome them?

Navigating the steep learning curve of running a business has been one of my biggest challenges, re­quiring me to seek mentorship, read extensively, and engage with leaders of other small companies to learn from their experiences. Balancing my dual roles as CEO and scientist is another significant hur­dle, which I address by delegating responsibilities and leveraging the diverse strengths of my team to manage tasks effectively. Additionally, transitioning from a large company to operating as a small busi­ness brings the challenge of working within resource limitations. Open communication, collaboration, and fostering a transparent team culture have been essential in overcoming these obstacles and mak­ing well-informed decisions to drive the company forward.

Lisa Taylor, CEO, Particology

Lisa Taylor is an innovative materials scientist with proven expertise in directing research and development activities. Drawing on her extensive industrial experience, Lisa offers expert knowledge in particle characterization and milling development. She has successfully built and implemented novel capabilities in workflows, collaborating seamlessly across organizational boundaries.