
Policy Advisory Panel
The Policy Advisory Panel guides the Society’s policy activities, developing and driving our objectives in the areas of science policy and public affairs.
The Panel proactively identifies scientific policy matters of relevance to the molecular biosciences, working closely with partner organisations and the Policy Network to inform and influence policymakers.
Policy Advisory Panel Terms of Reference
Policy Advisory Panel
6 members

Dr Derry Mercer
Dr Derry Mercer


Professor Anthony Maxwell
Professor Anthony Maxwell


Dr Emma Yhnell
Dr Emma Yhnell


Lewis MacDonald
Lewis MacDonald

Originally from Scotland, Lewis completed his BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology at the University of St Andrews before moving to Northern Ireland where he is currently a PhD student at the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast. His research focuses on antimicrobial resistance and inflammation in cystic fibrosis associated bacterial pathogens, specifically on the role of LPS and lipid A. He has long been interested in the power of policy to make positive change in society and is keen to increase opportunities for early career researchers to improve the skills required to communicate with policy makers as well as identifying where collaboration with policy makers can be beneficial to our research.

Dr Tailise Carolina de Souza Guerreiro
Dr Tailise Carolina de Souza Guerreiro


Dr Wayne Carter
Dr Wayne Grant Carter completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Biochemistry with Nutrition and then a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Southampton. He subsequently undertook post-doctoral research posts at The Babraham Institute, Cambridge; Imperial College, London; the University of California at Irvine, USA, and then at the University of Oxford. Additionally, Dr Carter has worked for a global reagent supplier, Sigma, an SME company, Mobious Genomics, and has been employed as a consultant for Syngenta. Dr Carter is currently an Associate Professor and Group Leader (Clinical Toxicology lab) within the School of Medicine, University of Nottingham. Dr Carter's research interests are varied and include the detection and utilisation of novel biomarkers of toxicological exposure.