Ernest Poku
An engineer with many years experience in oil exploration and commercial project management. Ernie has used his MBA expertise to move across into the new industry of biotechnology to develop and market new products for high technology healthcare applications.
- Ernie first entered the commercial side of the bio-tech industry when he joined another Sainsbury Management Fellow at Sciona, developing products for personal genetic testing giving customers information on which to base ‘lifestyle’ choices.
- Joining forces with a team of scientists and engineers, he set up Isohelix to develop a new non-intrusive medical device that has wide application in molecular diagnostics, and eliminates the requirement for blood samples or the use of needles in these applications.
- Ernie believes engineers can bring a great deal of expertise to biotechnology as the sector becomes increasing industrialised and requires people experienced in commercialising ideas and innovative processes.
- The Isohelix product has many applications, such as in medical research and forensic science, as it speeds up the testing process by automating most of the procedure.
- Ernie is a member of the Sainsbury Management Fellows Society Committee with a specific role to work with other engineering organisations to forge closer links and work jointly on mutually beneficial projects
- Ernie believes strongly that all engineering institutions should have more focus on the management potential of its young members, rather than focus so strictly on academic matters
Topics for comment:
•innovation
•‘start-up’ experience
•business funding
xe-commerce
xinternational business development
xwomen in business
•creative career development
Industry spokesperson – biotechnology, engineers as business leaders
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