Dr. Nicola Kingswell is an accomplished scientist, entrepreneur, and the driving force behind Labskin, a company dedicated to creating full-thickness human skin equivalents for testing skincare, wound care, and pharmaceutical products. With an extensive background in biochemistry, biotechnology, and operations, Nicola’s career journey is one of resilience and reinvention. From earning her Ph.D. at the University of Leeds to resurrecting Labskin from liquidation, she has transformed challenges into opportunities while making significant strides in her field. Today, as the proud owner of Labskin, Nicola combines her expertise in protein biochemistry and cell biology to advance innovative solutions for clients worldwide.
Can you share a short summary of your background for the article?
I graduated from the University of Leicester with a BSc in Medical Biochemistry and gained experience working for SMEs, university research groups, and start-ups. After being made redundant by a large multinational wound healing company, I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Leeds.
Subsequently, I worked as a study director and team leader in biopharmaceutical analysis. In March 2020, I joined Labskin as their Chief Scientist but left in August 2022 during a company restructuring. Later, I served as an operations manager for a biotech start-up before acquiring the Labskin business from liquidators.
With my extensive background in protein biochemistry and cell biology, I’m ideally suited to lead Labskin’s mission of producing full-thickness human skin equivalents for product testing.
Before you ventured into the world of entrepreneurship, what were your deepest passions and most cherished interests? What captivated your imagination, ignited your curiosity, or simply brought you joy?
I am a very practical person, and most of my interests reflect that. I’m a keen gardener and cook, and I enjoy various handicrafts. Spending time with friends and family is incredibly important to me. I also love music, play the guitar, and am an avid reader.
How do you stay connected with your customers and gather feedback? What channels do you use to communicate with them, and how do you ensure that their voices are heard?
Building strong working relationships with my customers is a priority, ensuring they feel comfortable providing feedback at any time. I’m available through email, Teams, and telephone. Additionally, as part of our quality management system, we survey our customers to collect structured feedback.
Looking back on your journey, what moments or milestones stand out as the most significant achievements in your career?
Completing my Ph.D. was a pivotal moment. Creating new lab spaces and inspiring young scientists to pursue their careers are also highlights. However, my biggest milestone by far has been becoming a business owner. Acquiring Labskin, resurrecting the business, and innovating our products to deliver exceptional results for customers has been an incredible journey.
How do you stay updated with the ever-evolving marketing landscape?
With a great marketing manager!
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