Rick joined Beacon (previously known as Findacure) as the charity’s third member of staff and first-ever Scientific Officer. His aim was to drive forward the charity’s work in drug repurposing.
Rick became CEO in 2017 and has since been involved in almost all of Beacon’s projects. He drives the organisation’s growth and strategy, and co-leads two work packages in REMEDi4ALL alongside EURORDIS. He has written articles, given talks and provided training across Europe focusing on topics as such as patient engagement in research, the repurposing of generic medicines, and rare disease policy. Rick proudly champions rare disease patient organisations, and is continually amazed by the work, knowledge, and commitment rare disease patient group leaders.
Before Beacon, Rick secured a PhD in Evolutionary biology at Cambridge’s Museum of Zoology and spent time educating both undergraduate and school aged students.
