Agenda and speakers

Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a scientist and broadcaster referred to as the BBC’s ‘face of space’. She is the presenter of the astronomical institution The Sky at Night, has fronted a number of space documentaries, and regularly appears on science and non-science programmes.

From a modest background and diagnosed with dyslexia, Maggie overcame the naysayers to study at Imperial College where she obtained her degree in Physics and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. After her studies, she toured the UK speaking to inner-city schools about what scientists do, why they do it, and how to be one with the aim of inspiring the next generation of physicists. 

Since then, she has spent her career making novel, bespoke instrumentation in both the industrial and academic environments. These instruments have ranged from hand-held land mine detectors to an optical subsystem for the James Webb Space Telescope (the replacement for the Hubble space telescope). She has worked for the MoD on missile warning systems, and for aerospace giant EADS on a range of projects to monitor the earth’s atmosphere.

Maggie is a research fellow and an Honorary Research Associate at University College London, and continues to work to engage the public with science. She augments her ‘Tours of the Universe’ presentations to young and old with regular TV and radio appearances. As well as fronting The Sky at Night, Maggie has appeared in programmes including Stargazing Live, The Science of Doctor Who, and In Orbit: How Satellites Rule Our World. 

Maggie has said the achievements of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon captured her imagination and drive to "get out there into space". In turn she has engaged school children around the world. She credits her deep passion for science as the tool that allowed her to break through social mobility barriers.

Maggie also tackles science education and public understanding, and women in science and engineering. She received an MBE for services to science and science education. Maggie is an engaging and passionate speaker. Her enthusiasm for science and learning is infectious.

Susanne Mitschke is an award-winning healthcare entrepreneur, recognized as Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in 2018 and 2020, and Capital Magazine 40 Under 40 awardee in 2021. She is the founder and CEO of Citruslabs, the fastest-growing Contract Research Organization for health & wellness brands, specializing in supplements, superfoods, and cosmetics. Prior to founding Citruslabs, Susanne created MindMate, the #1 health app for baby boomers, which has won multiple awards and has been titled the “ultimate Alzheimer’s app” by the BBC. Susanne holds an MSc in International Management & Leadership from the University of Glasgow and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Harvard University. Beyond her professional endeavors, Susanne finds joy and challenge in the equestrian world and has been competing in the sport of “eventing” for the past 25 years. Apart from that, she also runs marathons around the world.

Best known as creator of the world’s most famous bagpipe band The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Stuart Cassells has had a remarkable career which has involved overcoming adversity on several occasions. He is passionate about growing Scottish brands globally and promoting The Best in Scotland. Winner of BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year and the first graduate in a degree in bagpipes from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2005, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers achieved platinum album sales and performed at the world’s biggest events after winning a BBC prime time TV talent show. Stuart’s musical career was dramatically cut short when he developed the condition Focal Hand Dystonia which forced him to find a new direction. Stuart is now focused on creating world-class luxury experiences through Scotch whisky and has led transformational success at The Glenturret and The Macallan. The last 12 months has been his most challenging after suffering a serious stroke which severely impacted his speech, memory and cognition and required open heart surgery and a year of rebuilding to achieve a full recovery. Stuart is now focused on inspiring others to think bigger in order to lead a happier and more impactful life. 

Aline de Santa Izabel, a Brazilian innovator and ecosystem builder based in Helsinki, Finland, brings innovation to life, drawing inspiration from the intricacies of both biological ecosystems and cutting-edge innovation environments. Driven by curiosity, with a deep-rooted passion for science and for making positive changes, Aline is a specialist in biosciences, an entrepreneur, and catalyst behind impactful ventures. Her journey spans diverse startups and scaleups at the intersection of business, science, and tech across Europe. Currently at the forefront of Digital Health ecosystem development, Aline dedicates herself to supporting innovative startups in the Nordics and Baltics through the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) Health Data Sweden. Aline also serves as a lecturer in Entrepreneurship at the Royal Technical University KTH/Sweden and acts as an Expert Advisor & Jury Member for DeepTech at the European Commission European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator.