Research Technician 2026 Shortlist
Chengchen Wu
Chengchen Wu plays a pivotal role in advancing Queen Mary’s research capabilities through her leadership of cutting-edge live-cell super-resolution imaging facilities. She manages and develops highly specialised microscopy systems, enabling researchers to visualise cellular processes at unprecedented resolution. Her technical expertise, innovation in method development and dedication to training have significantly increased research quality and productivity, contributing to high-impact publications and international collaborations.
Elodie Sins
Elodie Sins has made an exceptional and transformative contribution to the Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, ensuring the continuity and success of research operations during challenging periods. Taking on laboratory management responsibilities across multiple groups, she maintains high standards of safety, compliance and technical excellence. Her work supports a wide range of researchers, from students to clinicians, while her innovations in lab systems and workflows have strengthened efficiency, reliability and research quality across the Centre.
Field and Laboratory Technical Team (Dr Jacqueline Greef, Dr Thomas Kelly & Megan Dougherty)
The Field and Laboratory Technical Team in Geography provides outstanding technical expertise supporting research across environmental science and physical geography. Their work enables complex fieldwork, laboratory analysis and computational modelling, underpinning projects ranging from rewilding and citizen science initiatives to large-scale UKRI-funded research. Through their contributions, they facilitate innovation, knowledge exchange and impactful research addressing environmental challenges at local and global levels.
Field and Laboratory Technical Team
Ioanna Bechlivanidi
Ioanna Bechlivanidi has demonstrated outstanding leadership in laboratory management and research support within the Department of Biology. She has played a key role in achieving LEAF Bronze accreditation for departmental laboratories and in establishing the Genomics Biodiversity facility, supporting a wide range of research projects. Her work strengthens both the sustainability and technical capability of research environments at Queen Mary.
Dr Max Munoz Torrico
Max Munoz provides exceptional leadership as Principal Investigator of the EPSRC-funded MUSCAT project, addressing critical skills gaps in antenna measurement and RF characterisation. His work brings together academia, industry and national laboratories to strengthen technical expertise in emerging technologies such as 5G and Internet of Things. Through this initiative, Max is not only advancing research capability but also developing the next generation of technical professionals.
Roberto Buccafusca
Roberto Buccafusca is a highly skilled research technician whose expertise in analytical chemistry underpins a wide range of high-profile interdisciplinary research projects. As a co-investigator on major grants, he contributes directly to research design, data generation and funding success. His scientific insight and commitment to innovation ensure that complex experiments deliver meaningful results, making him a vital contributor to research excellence.
Dr Sam Wallis
Dr Sam Wallis is a leading technical specialist in microscopy and imaging, whose work has transformed research workflows at the Barts Cancer Institute. He develops advanced imaging and analysis tools, including machine learning approaches, improving accuracy and reproducibility across multiple research groups. In addition to his technical contributions, Sam plays a key role in strengthening research culture, advocating for technician recognition and supporting inclusive engagement across the research community.