Natacha joined the CGT Catapult in 2018 and brings over a decade of experience in cell and gene therapy development across academia and industry. She gained her PhD in regenerative medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (UK), after which she pursued an academic career focused on the translation of pre-clinical models using somatic stem cells into cell therapy products. Since joining CGT Catapult, Natacha has focused on leading projects within the Autologous Cell Therapy (ACT) and Data programs. This includes internally funded efforts to establish capabilities, develop platform processes, and drive innovation, as well as collaborative projects evaluating, transferring, supporting and developing novel therapies, products and technologies. Within the ACT program, Natacha has contributed to the development of the CGT Catapult pluripotent stem cell expansion and differentiation platform, using a variety of bioprocessing systems. She has a passion for supporting therapy and technology developers, from product, process and analytical development, evaluation of processes and technologies, understanding regulatory and CMC challenges and performing risk and gap assessments.