Judging Panel
An independent panel of recognised and expert judges, drawn from academia, business and broader related sectors will determine the winners of the Women in Pharma Awards.
Our focus is to deliver a balanced judging assessment from industry leaders who will bring their extensive knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise to the judging process ensuring that the winning entries are truly outstanding and worthy of receiving a trophy.
The panel is carefully selected to ensure the Awards judging process is fair and objective. The judges are bound by a strict confidentiality agreement and are required to declare any conflict of interest in entries over which they deliberate, in which case that entry will be reallocated. The integrity of this process lies at the very heart of all that we do.
A comprehensive judging process has been developed to decide the winners of the Pharma Industry Awards.
If you are interested in joining the judging panel, please email your details to our team: judges@businessriver.com
2025 Judging Panel
Aoife Callan (Judging Coordinator)
Head of Access & External Affairs, Takeda Products Ireland Ltd.
Aoife Callan is the Head of Market Access & External Affairs at Takeda Ireland. Aoife has experience across a number of different roles within pharma, academia and the tech sector. She was recently awarded the Women in Pharma award at the Irish Pharma Industry Awards in 2024. VIEW MORE
Harriet Bennett-Lenane
Lecturer in Clinical Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy., University College Cork
Dr. Harriet Bennett-Lenane currently works as a lecturer in Clinical Pharmaceutics at the School of Pharmacy in University College Cork. She previously worked across different quality and regulatory roles in the pharmaceutical industry. VIEW MORE
Rachel Carmichael
Executive Director,, NSF
Rachel joined NSF in 2015 and has over 30 years experience in pharmaceutical manufacture and quality management including nearly 11 years as a GMDP Inspector for the UK Competent Authority, the MHRA. Rachel undertakes training, auditing and consultancy. VIEW MORE
Miriam O'Donoghue
Head of Strategic Relationships Development, TU Dublin
Dr Miriam O Donoghue is Head of Strategic Relationships Development, at Technological University Dublin. Her previous roles include leadership positions in both Education and Pharmaceutical Industry. VIEW MORE
Purbasa Patnaik
Associate Director, Exelixis
Purbasa leads drug product development and manufacturing for biologics at her current role at Exelixis. Her experience includes working for companies like NGM Bio, Harpoon Therapeutics (Merck), Catalent (Novo- Nordisk), Bayer and Eli Lilly. VIEW MORE
Sweta Rani
Lecturer, South East Technological University
Dr. Sweta Rani is a lecturer in School of Science, SETU. She is a Zoology graduate and a Ph.D in molecular biotechnology from Dublin City University. VIEW MORE
Dr. Bernadette Whelan
Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science, South East Technological University Waterford
Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science and Programme Leader for levels 6, 7 & 8 programmes in Good Manufacturing Practice, and Pharmaceutical Technology. Previous experience in Quality, Technical and Operations roles in the pharmaceutical industry. VIEW MORE
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