On the Job with Leigh Wilson
Dr. Leigh Wilson is a Business Development Manager, Life Sciences at the McMaster Industry Liaison Office. In this role, she helps researchers to commercialize their inventions by partnering with companies and government organizations. Leigh spends time at St. Joe’s every two weeks to better serve our research community.
How would you describe what you do? In a nutshell, my team and I learn about the inventions of researchers in Hamilton and find ways to commercialize them. We file patents, draft funding proposals, and engage with industry partners about potential collaborations.
Did you always want to work in research? Absolutely – I’ve always wanted to be a researcher. I finished my PhD in medical sciences, working at the Juravinski Cancer Centre trying to find new ways to treat cancer. After pursuing a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto, I decided that I wanted to branch out into other parts of the research enterprise – and I joined the McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO).
How does commercializing research have an impact in the community? There’s a lot of fantastic research taking place in Hamilton. We want to help maximize the benefits of research for society as a whole. What we do helps researchers to share their work outside of the academic world. It translates to better diagnostics, treatments and care in Hamilton and beyond.
What’s your favourite part about coming to St. Joe’s? My favourite part of working here is finding out about all of the different projects that researchers are working on. It always amazes me – and I love trying to figure out what the implications of their work could be.
What’s the most challenging part of your job? The most challenging part of my job is convincing researchers that this can be another way in which they can share their work with the world. Researchers are used to publishing their work in journals, which is what science is built upon. But pursuing commercialization is another way their research can benefit society.
What’s one of the most interesting things you’ve done in your career? It’s always incredible to see projects succeed. Collaboration between McMaster University, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research led to the creation of a company called Turnstone Biologics. Turnstone focuses on fighting cancer with special viruses that attack tumours. The company has received $41 million in funding and now has an international presence
A successful collaboration coming out of St. Joe’s involved Dr. James Mahony and a company called Luminex. Together, they created a new diagnostic test for respiratory diseases. The test won a prestigious 2010 Prix Galien USA Award prize in 2010 for best medical technology.
Where can we find you in your free time? Playing hockey, watching my kids play hockey, or exploring Hamilton! We love to find new trails and waterfalls around the city.
Do you have a go-to coffee or tea order? Regular – one milk, one sugar.