From Graduate to STEM Pioneer: Dr Natalie Kenny’s Impact on Global Healthcare

After graduating from the University in 2004 with a BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, Natalie studied at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She then moved to Peru to work as an Immunological Parasitologist for Johns Hopkins Medical School.

After a short stint in the Ecuadorian Amazon performing immunological research for St Georges Medical School, Natalie worked at Pfizer on respiratory and immunological research.

She then undertook a PhD in Translational Medicine at Cranfield University. This was then followed by two post-doctoral fellowships in Nanotoxicology for the Institute of Environment and Health and a research position for Charles River in Cambridge.

In 2014, Natalie established BioGrad in Hertfordshire. Under her visionary leadership, the company has undergone a transformative journey over the past decade. The business has now expanded into Liverpool, Manchester, Yorkshire, Cornwall, and London. It is also now recognised as a leading force in science and healthcare education, regenerative medicine, clinical research and biobanking.

Natalie's focus on regenerative medicine laid the groundwork for the development of a comprehensive group of companies, the most well-known of which is BioGrad Diagnostics.

It is the first company to market mass COVID PCR testing in 2020 and first to be approved as a government accredited COVID laboratory the same year. The company now offers clinical trials for companies as far as China and the USA.

BioGrad Biobank is Europe’s first women’s research tissue bank. They support clinical trials into women’s health across many countries in collaboration with multiple NHS trusts. They also provide samples for academic and industrial research through the UK.

BioGrad Education offers elite laboratory and clinical training accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and the Department of Education, with 800 academic partners across 21 countries.

In partnership with the Novocyte Group, BioGrad Education is donating up to £23 million worth of industrial-grade laboratory equipment. They are also providing free laboratory training to UK graduates.

This initiative has had a profound impact on the next generation of scientists and innovators. Their work has inspired many to help the UK reach its goal of becoming a science superpower by 2030.

In 2021 Natalie opened the BioGrad Innovation Centre, a hub focused on gender equality and scientific advancement. The Centre covers two buildings offering 43,000 sq. ft of laboratories, clinics, biobanks, and offices. The BioGrad Innovation Centre will be home to BioGrad, the NHS, Genomics England, and a Women’s Innovation Hub that supports female-led life science start-ups.

Natalie's achievements are boundless and in 2025 she was recognised by the University and awarded an Alumni Achievement Award for her services to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).