Avril Harvey

Experience

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  Kudos Pharmaceuticals

  May 1999 - Sept 1999

  Research Assistant

  I had a Summer job at Kudos Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge assisting to start a plasmid database and doing some protein and compound screening work. I also conducted my MSc research project and thesis at Kudos.

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  Marie Curie Research Institute

  Feb 2001 - Aug 2003

  Research Assistant

  I worked as a Research Assistant for a Biotech company called Phogen, based at the Marie Curie Research Institute, in the UK. The company was investigating the novel trafficking properties of a Herpes Simple virus tegument protein, VP22, discovered by P. O' Hare and G. Elliot (1996). My duties were broadly defined as utilising VP22 or VP22 derived peptides for the development of novel delivery technology. I was involved in investigating VP22 for ability to transfect mammalian cells with plasmid DNA. This involved setting up a relatively quick and easy 96 well reporter system using secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP), and then using the system to assay various conditions for transfection. I was also involved in the investigation into the delivery of potential therapeutic oligonucleotides and peptide-oligonucleotide constructs to cell nuclei and cytoplasm by VP22/VP22 peptides in the form of fluorescent particles termed "vectosomes", as well as the delivery of duplex RNA for RNAi function. Finally, my duties also included characterisation of the structure, function and interaction of VP22/VP22 peptides with other molecules by the use of confocal microscopy, electrophoresis and other standard techniques of molecular biology. Show less

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  Biological Control Products (Pty) Ltd

  Feb 2004 - Nov 2007

  Process Manager & HOD R&D Department

  I worked as a Process Manager in a small biocontrol company called Biological Control Products (BCP) in Kwazulu-Natal. I was responsible for the R and D department, and was primarily involved in improving existing production processes and establishing processes for potential new biological control products. This involved both liquid and solid fermentation optimisation, investigations into harvesting technology and other aspects of the production process. I worked on grant-funded projects and recruited and led a small team of 4 researchers. Show less

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  Wylde Ride

  Jun 2006 - Mar 2013

  Owner

  All aspects of managing a small budget traveller/backpacker business - dealing with finances, being a small employer and managing the marketing budget and activities

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  PlantBio Trust

  Nov 2007 - Apr 2010

  Executive Portfolio Manager

  I was employed by PlantBio Trust - an organisation committed to commercialise innovative technologies through the use of public funds. The work involved: evaluation of project proposals based on technical, legal, financial and intellectual property value and determining marketability of proposed project outcomes (due diligence); development of proposals and business plans to bring in line with requirements; development of due diligence for presentation to internal and external investment committees and recommendations to the Board of Trustees of PlantBio; the conclusion of new R&D and commercial agreements; attending conferences, workshops and stakeholder events to expand networks; attending meetings and site visits; writing reports and motivations; strategic decisions in Plant Biotechnology innovation sector; mentoring of NRF interns and new employees; managing and monitoring the success of both R&D and commercial investments. Show less

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  Technology Innovation Agency

  Apr 2010 - Jun 2011

  Sector Portfolio Manager: Agriculture

  I was employed by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) where I was a Sector Portfolio Manager co-ordinating the Food and Ornamental sub sector of the Agriculture and Agro-processing sector within TIA. I assisted the General Manager with overall strategy, operational planning and budgeting for the sector. I was responsible for the co-ordination of a number of existing projects in the sub-sector as well as a pipeline of new projects that were being considered for funding. I oversaw the project managers to ensure that projects performed within their scope, drawdowns were released and non-performing projects were terminated. I also drafted sector reviews to determine project fit within the sector. Show less

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  University of Cape Town

  Feb 2012 - Dec 2012

  MBA programme - professional development

  Social Innovation stream introduced in 2012

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  Frost & Sullivan

  Jan 2013 - Jul 2015

  I was employed in the Chemicals, Materials and Food Business Unit of Frost & Sullivan, a Global Growth Consulting Company. We partnered with clients to create innovative growth strategies that helped clients grow faster. I started as a Senior Industry Analyst doing market research and project management across various clients and was promoted to Team Leader within 6 months where my role took on a more revenue and business development focus with personal targets. Some of the projects I participated in: Blue Sky Technology for a South African innovation company; customer analysis of the Nigerian and South African Lubricants Industries; study looking at local market for electric water heaters. Show less

  • Programme Manager

    Oct 2014 - Jul 2015

  • Team Leader

    Jan 2013 - Sept 2014
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  Impact Amplifier

  Aug 2015 - Sept 2016

  Impact Acceleration Manager

  Supporting the Impact Amplifier Partners in driving the investment readiness and capital raising process of exciting, innovative, and socially / environmentally impact businesses throughout Southern Africa, especially in the green economy, sustainable agriculture and Health tech / wellness sectors. I was involved in co-ordinating and facilitating training in investment acceleration; one on one business support, incubation and acceleration; and business development.Projects I worked on: Sustainable Agriculture Impact Assessment in Malawi; Eco-Innovators Investment Readiness Programme; building the curriculum for a 3-day Bootcamp for grant readiness together with the Climate Innovation Centre South Africa and The Innovation Hub.Founded in 2011, Impact Amplifier addresses Africa’s socio-economic and environmentalchallenges, by:. Providing investment readiness, capital raising and advisory services to high impact businesses;. Consulting large corporations on supply-chain inclusivity and sustainability;. Advising development finance institutions and foundations on developing impactful investmentecosystems in Africa; and. Portfolio building for impact investors. Show less

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  Parceval Pty Ltd

  Oct 2016 - now

  Special Projects Manager

  Parceval is a herbal pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturer, vertically integrated across cultivation of rare and unusual medicinal plants, through product conceptualisation, formulation, all the way to finished and packaged product for retail.My role since October 2016 has been to assist with expansion and growth of the Consulting arm of the business. I have developed both B2B and B2C content for Parceval (https://parceval.co.za/news/) and 2 affiliated entities - Southern African Botanical Products Association (https://sabpa.africa/) and African Infusions (https://african-infusions.com). I have also written grant proposals and raised funds for the business; managed complex technical projects; provided guidance on the regulatory compliance strategy of Parceval and consulted with clients on compliance, ethical supply chains and sourcing. Show less

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  Southern African Botanical Products Association

  Dec 2023 - now

  Secretary & Treasurer