Wayne Higgins
About Wayne Higgins
Wayne Higgins is a Group Leader in Phage Display with a strong background in biotechnology and biochemistry. He has over a decade of experience in research, teaching, and team leadership, focusing on T-cell receptor therapies.
Current Role at Adaptimmune
Wayne Higgins currently serves as Group Leader of Phage Display at Adaptimmune, a position he has held since 2018. In this role, he leads a team of scientists dedicated to discovering new T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies. His responsibilities include promoting process development and innovation to enhance team capabilities over time. Higgins maintains an active presence in the laboratory, addressing challenges with a positive and inclusive approach.
Previous Experience in Phage Display
Prior to his current role, Wayne Higgins worked as a Senior Scientist in Phage Display at Adaptimmune from 2014 to 2018. During this four-year tenure, he contributed to various projects aimed at advancing the field of phage display technology. His experience in this area laid the groundwork for his current leadership position.
Academic Background and Teaching Experience
Wayne Higgins has a strong academic background in biochemistry. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from University College Dublin, where he studied from 2006 to 2011. Additionally, he obtained a Bachelor's Moderatorship in Biochemistry from Trinity College Dublin from 2002 to 2006. He has also taught biotechnology for an academic year at Dundalk Institute of Technology and served as an Assistant Lecturer at the same institution from 2013 to 2014, demonstrating his commitment to education.
Career in Biochemistry and Research
Wayne Higgins has held various positions in the field of biochemistry. He worked as a Biochemist at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for seven months in 2012. Following this, he was a Research and Development Scientist at Randox for nine months in 2012-2013. He also served as an Analytical Scientist at Lonza for three months in 2014. These roles contributed to his extensive experience in research and development within the biochemistry sector.
Team Leadership and Recruitment
In his current role, Wayne Higgins is involved in strategic team development, including the recruitment of specialized personnel. He played a key role in hiring an experienced flow cytometry/FACS scientist to enhance the drug discovery team at Adaptimmune. His leadership approach focuses on fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and problem-solving.