Dr. Jennifer Soundy is the Chief Operating Officer at Ampersand Technologies. She joined the company at its inception in 2021 and has worked closely with Richard to build the company up to where it is today.

She received a PhD in Biotechnology from Victoria University of Wellington in 2019 working on aptamer-conjugated nanosilver as a novel antibacterial agent. During this time she won the VUW Three minute thesis competition, going on to place in the Top 10 at the Asia-Pacific competition. She went on to work at a VUW university spin out company as the Senior Scientist, and later, interim CTO. The company was developing a portable biosensor for the detection of illicit drugs at the roadside using aptamer and electrochemical technology. Concurrently, she worked as a VUW postgraduate industry supervisor and lecturer in biotechnology.

Jennifer’s experience with the processes and politics of start-ups at the interface of academia and business has been of benefit to Ampersand Technologies, as such, she progressed from her role as BDM to COO in 2022.