Tom Webberley, PhD
🧬 Digital Health, Clinical Trials & Microbiome Enthusiast
About
🧪 Lifelong Learner
My professional career began as an eager wet lab scientist, working across a variety of disciplines including microbiology, genetics and animal models of disease.I found working in both academia and industry from a young age extraordinarily insightful and soon had a firm grasp on research and development pipelines - from basic in vitro modelling to pre-clinical practice and human trials.I've worked with both SMEs and with companies at a multinational level, undertaking research in the UK, USA, Europe and India.Both science and technology are at the core of my lifelong learning vision for myself and I explore as many new areas of this as I can every day, engaging with scientists across many areas and absorbing as much information as I can.Transcending beyond the typical route of growth from my postdoctoral years, I've become more intimately involved in digital healthcare through web and smartphone apps.I'm an honorary visiting scholar at Cardiff University - where I originally completed my BSc and PhD - and am also the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Seastorm - a Welsh company specialising in web and smartphone app development in a life sciences setting. If I'm not working directly in science, I am usually listening to audiobooks, podcasts or reading content, legal or regulatory documentation in the life sciences and technology space.While I have published quite widely in peer-reviewed scientific literature, I enjoy scientific writing for public engagement - whether this is with peers or through online web and social media platforms including LinkedIn.
🎮 Hobbies & Interests
In my spare time, I work on various app development or data-driven projects in Python, JavaScript / Node.js, R and React. I absolutely love data, both big sets and small.I enjoy video games (Nintendo / PlayStation / Xbox / Steam) and am an avid board and tabletop gamer. Some of my favourites include Gloomhaven, Ticket to Ride, Scythe, Pandemic, Splendor and Talisman. I play the piano when I can and enjoy Sci-fi and fantasy through TV shows, movies and audiobooks.DIY is also a top hobby of mine. In 2019 my husband and I bought an 1800s Victorian house in Cardiff, UK, which we are renovating together whilst upholding some of the traditional features of the original build. Through much hands-on work, I've become skilled in plastering, plumbing, flooring and painting. Activities like patio laying, fence and wall building and gardening are also great fun! We have a very loving working cocker spaniel called Benji who, I'm sorry to say, doesn't do a tremendous amount of work towards helping renovate our home!I love to travel and seize every opportunity to do so. Memorable places I have been so fortunate to have visited include Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Cape Cod, Washington D.C., Yosemite, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, India, Dubai, Thailand, Vietnam and Barbados.
Education
đź“š Study & Work
// BSc (Honours) Genetics (Full-Time Study)
Cardiff University, 2009// PhD Genetics / Cardiovascular Science / Cell and Molecular Biology / Ionic Signalling (Full-Time Study)
Cardiff University, 2013// Research Associate in Cardiovascular Sciences and Cell Signalling (Full-Time RA)
Cardiff University, 2013 - 2016// Senior Research, Development & Innovation Manager (Full-Time)
Cultech Ltd., 2016 - 2021// Chief Scientific Officer (Full-Time)
Seastorm Limited (Trialflare), 2018 -
As the co-founder and CSO of Trialflare, I actively engage with clients and new prospects, as well as drive growth and development of the Trialflare platform.// Director (Ad-Hoc Consultant)
Oligomics Limited, 2021 -
Providing specialist consultancy and services in the life sciences space. From guidance in web and smartphone technologies in digital health to supporting pre-clinical and clinical studies. I also provide guidance in the ICH-GCP space and can help businesses prepare and plan for growth in the life sciences sector.
Academic Pursuits
🖊️ Peer-Reviewed Publications
// A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study Assessing the Impact of Probiotic Supplementation on the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Females, Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 2024.// Does Flow Culture Impact Upon Gut-Probiotic Interactions: A Comparison with Static Culture, Journal of Functional Foods, 2023.// Assessment of Lab4P Probiotic Effects on Cognition in 3xTg-AD Alzheimer’s Disease Model Mice and the SH-SY5Y Neuronal Cell Line, IJMS : Nutraceuticals in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases, 2023.// The Gastrointestinal Status of Healthy Adults: A Post Hoc Assessment of the Impact of Three Distinct Probiotics, Beneficial Microbes, 2023.// The Impact of Probiotic Supplementation on Cognitive, Pathological and Metabolic Markers in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease, Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2022.// Impaired Mineral Ion Metabolism in a Mouse Model of Targeted Calcium-Sensing Receptor (CaSR) Deletion from Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2022.// The Impact of Lab4 Probiotic Supplementation in a 90-day Study in Wistar Rats, Frontiers in Nutrition, 2021.// Pro-atherogenic Actions of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 Serine 727 Phosphorylation in LDL Receptor Deficient Mice via Modulation of Plaque Inflammation, FASEB, 2021.// A Genome Guided Evaluation of the Lab4 Probiotic Consortium, Genomics, 2021.// Probiotics Reduce Self-Reported Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in Overweight and Obese Adults: Should we be Considering Probiotics during Viral Pandemics?, Gut Microbes, 2021.// Daily Supplementation with the Lab4P Probiotic Consortium Induces Significant Weight Loss in Overweight Adults, Scientific Reports, 2021.// A Randomised Controlled Study shows Supplementation of Overweight and Obese Adults with Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria Reduces Bodyweight and Improves Well-Being, Scientific Reports, 2020.// In vitro Neuroprotective Activities of Two Distinct Probiotic Consortia, Beneficial Microbes, 2019.// Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium Promote Antibacterial and Antiviral Immune Response in Human Macrophages, Journal of Probiotics and Health, 2018.// The Anti-Cholesterolaemic Effect of a Consortium of Probiotics: An Acute Study in C57BL/6J Mice, Scientific Reports, 2017.// The Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and Sterol Receptor Coactivator-1 in TGF-B-Regulated Expression of Genes Implicated in Macrophages Cholesterol Uptake, Scientific Reports, 2016.// A Unique Combination of Nutritionally Active Ingredients Can Prevent Several Key Processes Associated with Atherosclerosis In Vitro, PLoS One, 2016.// The Vascular Ca2+-Sensing Receptor Regulates Blood Vessel Tone and Blood Pressure, American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology, 2015.// Calcium-Sensing Receptor Antagonists Abrogate Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Inflammation in Allergic Asthma, Science Translational Medicine, 2015.// Cytokines in Atherosclerosis: Key Players in all Stages of Disease and Promising Therapeutic Targets, Cytokine Growth Factor Reviews, 2015.// Protein Kinase C Is Involved in the Induction of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 Expression by Liver X Receptor/Retinoid X Receptor Agonist in Human Macrophages, Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 2015.// The Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling Pathway is Involved in the Control of Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein Uptake by Human Macrophages, Lipids, 2015.// Young Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Have Raised Levels of Circulating Annexin V-Positive Platelet Microparticles, Human Reproduction, 2014.// Emerging Roles of the Extracellular Calcium-Sensing Receptor in Nutrient Sensing: Control of Taste Modulation and Intestinal Hormone Secretion, British Journal of Nutrition, 2014.