Join Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), as she talks about a career that has spanned academia, biomedical research, regulation, not for profit funding agencies, innovation and public health. Drawing on over three decades of experience, Alison will share how her pharmacology degree opened doors to opportunities she never imagined when she first began her studies.  

From studying pharmacology at King’s College London and completing a PhD in biochemistry, Alison's career has taken her from basic research roles in London and the United States to positions at the Medicines Control Agency, King’s College London, the Wellcome Trust, the European Medicines Agency, UK Research and Innovation, and ultimately to her current role leading post-market safety and surveillance at the MHRA.  

In this session, Alison will explore the wide variety of career paths available to pharmacologists and discuss how the skills developed through pharmacology—scientific curiosity, critical thinking, data interpretation and problem solving—can be applied across sectors. She will reflect on key career decisions, lessons learned from working at the forefront of medicines regulation and innovation, and the rewarding opportunities that come from helping to protect and improve public health.  

Alison will also provide an insider’s perspective on careers within the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK regulator responsible for ensuring medicines and medical devices are safe and effective for patients. Drawing on her experience as MHRA Chief Safety Officer and previous scientific assessor roles, she will explore the wide range of opportunities available to pharmacology graduates across scientific assessment, pharmacovigilance, clinical trials, data science, innovation, policy, regulatory science and public health. Attendees will gain insight into how pharmacologists contribute directly to protecting patients, supporting innovation and shaping the future of healthcare through regulation. 

Whether you are a student considering your future career options, an early-career scientist exploring different pathways, or an established professional interested in the evolving role of pharmacologists in healthcare and regulation, this event will provide valuable insights and practical advice.