Qasim A. Rafiq, PhD University College London

Dr Qasim Rafiq is an Associate Professor at University College London in Cell and Gene Therapy Bioprocessing. He is a multidisciplinary engineer working at the life science, engineering and commercial interfaces and his research focuses on the bioprocessing, automation and biomanufacture of cell and gene-based therapies. 

He currently leads a research portfolio of >£2.5m and heads up the Advanced Therapy Bioprocess Engineering group at UCL which includes 4 post-doctoral researchers, 5 PhD students and 3 MSc students. 

Prior to joining UCL, he was an Assistant Professor at Aston University where he established the Bioprocess Engineering Group. He completed his PhD at Loughborough University investigating the scalable manufacture of human mesenchymal stem cells in bioreactors.

He has specific interest in addressing the large-scale manufacturing challenges and enhancing process and product understanding to enable successful translation from the laboratory to the clinic. This includes development of enabling tools and manufacturing processes for cell and extracellular vesicle production

He is both a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Chartered Scientist (CSci) and sits on multiple scientific and engineering committees including ESACT-UK, the IChemE Biochemical Engineering Subject Interest Group and The BIA’s Cell and Gene Therapy Advisory Committee.