Transferable Skills Workshop

Rachel Pei Chin Won

Title: "From Draft to Submission: What Every Author Should Know"

Rachel received her Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Material Science from the National University of Malaysia, and her Master Degree in Mechanical and Production Engineering from Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, where she conducted research in optical fibre sensing. She worked as an Optics Engineer in the Optical Storage R&D Department of Philips Electronics Singapore before pursuing a PhD in Engineering at Aston University, UK, focusing on microwave photonics and nonlinear optics. After completing her PhD, she joined Aston University's Business Partnership Unit as a Medici Fellow, working on the commercialization of the university's research outputs. Rachel began her editorial career in June 2006 as a Founding Editor of Nature Photonics, later becoming the journal’s Chief Editor from 2011-2014 and International Editor from 2014. In July 2025, she was appointed Chief Editor of Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering. Rachel is also an elected Fellow of both OPTICA and the International Society of Optics and Photonics (SPIE). She is based in London.

Adrián García

Talk: "Publishing is not the end of the road: Communication and dissemination of science"

Adrián García holds a degree in Physics and a master's degree in Complex Systems Physics. He works as a communication officer at the Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Physics and Complex Systems (IFISC, UIB-CSIC). He is known for his music videos on scientific topics and his informative videos on physics and mathematics, which he shares on social media under the name ‘El Físico Barbudo’ (The Bearded Physicist), where he combines science and geek culture in an original way. After participating in the FameLab scientific monologue competition organized by FECyT, he has presented and collaborated in several science communication programs on radio and television, such as Órbita Laika or Balears Fa Ciència. He also participates in the Scenio science communication platform and is a member of the Big Van Ciencia group of scientific monologists.

Richard Fallon

Talk: "Publishing is not the end of the road: Communication and dissemination of science"

Dr. Richard Fallon is an entrepreneur and innovation navigator with a passion for helping people and organisations unlock higher performance through innovation including developing the communication skills needed to implement it.  

Richard gained his doctorate in photonics from Aston University in 2000.  He worked for British Airways and npower before starting his own consultancy business in 2004.  He established the Technology Supply Chain, a membership for manufacturing, technology and life sciences companies, in 2019 to connect businesses to universities, grants, innovation support and new ideas.  The TSC now has over 5,500 members.    

Richard co-founded the Innovation Awards in 2021 which has sold out every year since inception.  The Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the companies, individuals and organisations dedicated to innovation.  

Known for his energetic and direct style, Richard combines commercial experience with expertise in innovation and communication.  A natural connector and engaging speaker, Richard brings practical insight, humour and real-world experience to every stage, leaving audiences with ideas they can apply immediately.