Meet our trainers

Our expert trainers have the skills and experience to ensure you get the best training. Each of them brings something unique to Cofactor.

Stefania Vaga PhD

Where are you based?

London, UK

What experience do you bring to Cofactor training?

I’m a former scientist, with a passion for clear communication, compelling stories, and people. Cofactor allowed me to put these passions together.

What do you like best about working on Cofactor courses?

I really enjoy teaching researchers how best to communicate their discoveries – teaching, to me, is a great joy!

How do you spend your time when not being a trainer?

Besides being a trainer and an editor, I am a fiction writer, an adventurous cook, a keen traveller, and a painter.

What’s your favourite word?

The one always giving me a thrill is imagination. Another one is serendipity because, so many times, it feels incredibly real.

Chris St Pourcain PhD

Where are you based?

Kleve, Germany

What experience do you bring to Cofactor training?

I was a university lecturer for five years, so I have first-hand experience publishing research papers, supervising PhD students, and writing successful research grant applications as the principal investigator.

I have ten years experience of managing the peer review of research grants and research grant funding processes for the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) in the UK. I am also an experienced scientific editor and trainer.

What do you like best about working on Cofactor courses?

I really enjoy hearing the course participants’ experiences and ideas and helping them to understand the different options and possibilities for writing and publishing research papers.

How do you spend your time when not being a trainer?

I enjoy playing guitar, reading and trying to trace my family tree.

What’s your favourite word?

The German word Hamsterkauf, which means panic buying.

Lee-Ann Coleman

Where are you based?

London, UK

What experience do you bring to Cofactor training?

I trained as a neuroscientist in Australia but after two postdoctoral positions I moved into scientific administration. I have over twenty years experience working across the UK research funding, higher education and scientific information sectors. I was involved in establishing Europe PubMed Central, and championed open access publishing, particularly in the research charity sector.

What do you like best about working on Cofactor courses?

I enjoy working with researchers from around the world, especially those starting their careers. I hope that our training helps to dispel some of the myths that build up around publishing.

How do you spend your time when not being a trainer?

When I’m not doing Cofactor training, I’m writing fiction and looking for fossils.

What’s your favourite word?

Ammonite

 

Bruce Johnson

Where are you based?

London, UK

What experience do you bring to Cofactor training?

Twenty years of teaching in UK universities, as well as a background in commercial training.

What do you like best about working on Cofactor courses?

It is a real pleasure to work with so many talented scientists and academics.  I get a big kick out of helping them make the world a better place.

How do you spend your time when not being a trainer?

University teaching, cooking for friends,  being out on my motorcycle, and camping with friends. 

What’s your favourite word?

Optimism. The difference between an optimist and a pessimist is if they have identical experiences, the optimist has a better time.

Jack Ullrich - trainer for Cofactor Science

Jack Ullrich, PhD

Where are you based?

Berlin, Germany

What experience do you bring to Cofactor training?

I am a postdoctoral researcher studying invertebrate sensory systems and a freelance instructor of self-organizational techniques and mental health practices for scientists.

What do you like best about working on Cofactor courses?

I enjoy meeting with bright, young scientists from all around the world and sharing knowledge on academic writing and publishing. I receive a lot of satisfaction from assisting people in developing self-confidence in areas where they may have previously struggled.

How do you spend your time when not being a trainer?

I write both fiction and non-fiction, and I adore spending time with my loved ones. Every chance I get, you can find me by the sea, enjoying my favourite element via scuba diving, surfing, or simply gazing out at the horizon.

What’s your favourite word?

Synchronicity. Without a scientific explanation, interesting things happen.

View training options

Send us a message

Cofactor takes your privacy seriously and will never share your personal information without your consent. Full details of how we manage personal data can be found in our Privacy Policy.

2 + 7 =

Contact details

+44 (0)20 8819 3233

hello@cofactorscience.com

Cofactor Ltd
Company number 8764127

Registered office:
34b York Way
London
N1 9AB, UK