Dr Madeleine White, BSc (Hon), PhD

Dr White has a keen interest in translating basic research into novel treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Maddie is already building successful relationships with AFT Pharmaceuticals, Massey Ventures, and the greater science innovation network, and she is looking forward to strengthening connections with the wider scientific community.

Maddie joined the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute as a Senior Research Fellow in 2022 and then became our Strategic Partnership Manager. Maddie’s research work focuses on topical haemangioma (blood vessels forming a lump under the skin) therapy, such as beta blockers and ace inhibitors, including a topical treatment for keloid scars.

She has an extensive background in the treatment of autoimmune disease, with a particular focus on understanding how helminth parasites can suppress host immune responses and how these pathways may be targeted as therapeutics for autoimmune disease. More recently, Maddie’s focus has switched to research commercialisation, and she has been involved with several translational projects within the University of Glasgow before joining us. 

Maddie is keen to expand our connections within the Science and Innovation Network across Aotearoa and work collaboratively with universities and other institutes looking to translate their research.  

Maddie holds a Hons degree in Biomedical Sciences and a PhD in Immunology from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. She spent six years as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Glasgow in the Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology before spending one year as a Translational Research Scientist with the University of Glasgow, where she completed a Certificate of Research Commercialisation and Technology Transfer. 

Outside of work, Maddie is a busy mum of two who enjoys getting outdoors for a run.