Dr Margaret Lawlor is the Executive Director of SSPC the SFI Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals in Ireland. Margaret works with the SSPC Scientific Directors to develop and implementing the centre’s strategy and has overall responsibility for delivering the operational strategy. Margaret has more than 20 years’ experience in developing and commercialising new technology in roles ranging from R&D Principal Investigator and Intellectual Property Officer in the Diagnostics industry where she was responsible for the development of multiple products. She has also worked as a Business Development Manager in the University Sector both in the UK and Ireland protecting and commercialising University Intellectual Property. She earned a Ph.D. from University College Dublin and B.Sc. from University College Cork, both in Biochemistry. She also has a law degree from University of Limerick.