Our Research Team

David Rigby

Group Leader Pre-Clinical

David received his BSc(Hons) in Microbiology from the University of Manchester, additionally working for Boehringer-Ingelheim’s Metabolic Disease arm in Germany to investigate the role of dyslipidaemia in cancer. Following-on from his D.Phil. in Clinical Medicine at the University of Oxford, David additionally completed postdoctoral work funded from his initial findings, focusing on the mechanisms of immune cell trafficking through the lymphatic system.

More recently, David moved into biotech, progressing several TCR-based immunotherapies through to IND approval for evaluation in clinical trials. In addition to working on, and leading various investigative pipeline projects at Adaptimmune, he provided data integrity and compliance assurance management, overhauling aspects of the company’s Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

However, David is now keen to draw further on his previous training in Immunology. It is his belief that there are clear parallels between the strategies exploited during tumour metastasis and conversely during successful T-cell infiltration of solid tumours. David is keen to explore this, and other such mechanisms further, as guided by investigations into the Long-Term Survivor cohort, in a bid to advance Continuum’s commitment to address any unmet clinical need for Cancer patients.  

In terms of activities outside of the lab, David has a keen interest in classic cars, generally seeking-out splendid things and spending time with his dog. He may even consider another hound at some point!

Rachel Woolley

Senior Scientist Protein Science

Rachel received her BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Bath, during which she spent a year working in the Rossjohn laboratory at Monash University. There, she studied MR1-restricted T-cells using X-ray crystallography to define the specificity of their antigen recognition and explain the structural basis for autoreactivity displayed by a subset of these T-cells.

Rachel subsequently completed a DPhil in Cellular Structural Biology at the University of Oxford, focusing on the function and mechanism of an oncogenic cell-surface receptor protein. Moving into a postdoctoral position, Rachel contributed to the development of a novel ligand-binding assay now in use for identification of potential anti-cancer drugs.

At Continuum Life Sciences Rachel will be part of the Protein Science team, validating the data from our academic research partners and developing these findings into potential therapeutics. Data derived from Continuum’s long term survivor study has already highlighted novel mechanisms to fight cancer from within. This unique survivor-led approach is an exciting and promising strategy to develop new treatments and hopefully improve the prognosis of many cancer patients.