Tom Webberley, PhD

Clinical research, real-world evidence & digital health

I'm a geneticist by training, based in Cardiff, with a long-standing focus on the gut microbiome. I manage real-world evidence studies in nutrition at Novonesis, and my work has covered everything from lab models to human trials and software for clinical research.

Email Publications

NovonesisReal-World Evidence
Project Manager

25peer-reviewed publications

15+years in science & research

20scientific journals published in

About

I started out as a wet-lab scientist, working in microbiology, genetics and animal models of disease.

Working in both academia and industry early on gave me a good grounding in the full research and development pipeline, from in vitro models through pre-clinical work to human trials. I've since worked with SMEs and multinational companies on research in the UK, USA, Europe and India.

I'm an honorary visiting scholar at Cardiff University, where I did my BSc and PhD, and I run a life-sciences consultancy, Oligomics Limited.

I've also worked in digital health. I spent several years as Chief Scientific Officer at Seastorm, a Welsh company building web and smartphone apps for the life sciences. There I co-founded the clinical-trial platform Trialflare and supported the set-up of Ethiclear.

I've always been interested in technology more broadly, and it has taken me beyond the lab into business development, marketing and running social media campaigns.

Alongside peer-reviewed publishing, I enjoy writing about science for a general audience. I also spend a lot of time with audiobooks, podcasts and regulatory guidance in the life sciences and technology space.

Current role: Real-World Evidence Project Manager, Novonesis
Consultancy: Director, Oligomics Limited
Affiliation: Honorary Visiting Scholar, Cardiff University
Education: PhD & BSc Genetics, Cardiff University
Areas: Clinical trials, real-world evidence, the gut microbiome, probiotics, ICH-GCP, digital health, business development, marketing

Interests

Technology

I love technology in general. I build side projects in Python, JavaScript/Node.js, R and React, usually involving data.

Games

Video games on Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox and Steam, and board games. Favourites include Gloomhaven, Scythe, Pandemic, Ticket to Ride, Talisman and Slay the Spire, and I especially enjoy legacy games.

DIY & renovation

I love DIY and renovating houses. I currently live in a beautiful late-1800s house, which I'm renovating with my husband.

Family

I have two sons and a cocker spaniel, who keep me very busy. We love getting outdoors and enjoying nature together.

Music & books

I play the piano, and enjoy sci-fi and fantasy across TV, film and audiobooks.

Travel

I love to travel and have explored the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia. Favourites include Scandinavia, New England and the Mediterranean.

Experience

2025 – now

Real-World Evidence Project Manager
Novonesis
Responsible for nutritional studies in human participants across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
2021 – now

Director & Consultant
Oligomics Limited
Consultancy for life-science businesses on digital-health technology, pre-clinical and clinical studies, ICH-GCP and planning for growth.
2018 – 2025

Chief Scientific & Chief Executive Officer
Seastorm Limited
Co-founded the clinical-trial platform Trialflare and led its development with clients and partners. Supported the set-up of Ethiclear.
2016 – 2021

Senior Research, Development & Innovation Manager
Cultech Ltd.
2013 – 2016

Research Associate, Cardiovascular Sciences & Cell Signalling
Cardiff University
2013

PhD in Genetics
Cardiff University
Cardiovascular science, cell and molecular biology, and ionic signalling.
2009

BSc (Hons) Genetics
Cardiff University