Congratulations to Dr Andrew Williamson (Physical Natural Sciences, 1990), whose report of university spin-out companies and the government’s response – which was commissioned by the Chancellor – has now been published. The review, led jointly by Dr Williamson and Professor Irene Tracey CBE, offered a series of recommendations to help improve the creation and growth of university spin-out companies. 

Three former Robinson students, Michał Mgeładze-Arciuch (Computer Science, 2020), Daniel Vlasits (Computer Science, 2020) and Jan Oboril (Natural Sciences, 2020) have launched their own startup, Yoneda Labs, after securing a $500,000 investment from US-based startup accelerator Y-Combinator. 

Yoneda Labs provides software to help chemists optimize reactions. The goal is to help pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing companies produce drugs and materials faster, cheaper and with less environmental impact. 

Naguib Kheraj (Economics, 1983) has been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the King's New Year Honours, for services to Business and the Economy. 

Honorary Fellow and alumnus, James Harrison (Physical Natural Sciences, 1992), has been named the 2023 UK Changemaker for his work with Cycle Pharmaceuticals in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 awards. In its press release, EY stated: “The judges praised James for reimagining how pharmaceutical drugs can make patients’ lives easier. James was also applauded for a goal of offering 50% of services for free to help maximise accessibility.” Congratulations to James for this incredible achievement!