Our Science & Innovation Leaders
"We have created a leadership group that personifies our values and leads our 1750-strong integrated technical community in our eight locations across the globe. The team comprises technical leaders who blend expertise from our legacy businesses alongside new world class expertise and capabilities recruited from Food, Pharmaceutical and Consumer Packaged Goods industries. Our aim is to create compelling, innovative adult consumer inspired products, substantiated by public health relevant science to deliver our ambition of A Better Tomorrow™."
Dr James Murphy
Director, Research & Science
DR. JAMES MURPHY
Director, Research and Science
Career experience
2020-2023
EVP Scientific Research & Development, Reynolds American
2019-2020
Group Head of Reduced-Risk Substantiation
Degree(s)/qualifications
PhD
Organic Chemistry
University of Edinburgh
BSc
Chemistry
Queen's University of Belfast
DR. CHRIS JUNKER
Group Head of Life Sciences
Career experience
2021-2025
Vice President,
U.S. Scientific & Regulatory Affairs
Degree(s)/qualifications
PhD
Organic Chemistry
Wake Forest University
BSc
Chemistry, Mathematics
Catawba College
TIM NESTOR
Executive Vice President, U.S. R&D
RAI Services Company
Career experience
2021-2023
Senior Vice President U.S. Product Deploy
2018-2021
Vice President R&D Global Modern Oral & U.S. Traditional Oral
Degree(s)/qualifications
BSc
Physics
Appalachian State University
DANNI TOWER
Group Head of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs
Career experience
2022-2023
Head of Liquids Discovery & Development and Flavour Centre of Excellence
2019-2022
Head of Vapour Product Development, Next Generation Devices & Liquids
Degree(s)/qualifications
MEng
Chemical Engineering
Imperial College of Science,
Technology & Medicine
DR. ELAINE ROUND
Senior Vice President,
U.S. Scientific & Regulatory Affairs,
RAI Services Company
Career experience
2023-2025
Global Head of Life Sciences
2022-2023
Global Head of Toxicology
Degree(s)/qualifications
PhD
Genetics
University of Washington, Seattle
BA
Biology
Washington University in St. Louis
DR. ALLEN GRIFFITHS
Head of Science Discovery
Career experience
2019-2022
Head of Modified Risk Tobacco Product Capabilities
2016-2018
Head of Plant Biotechnology – Global Leaf R&D
Degree(s)/qualifications
PhD
Plant Physiology & Biochemistry
University College North Wales Bangor
BSc
Biochemistry
University College North Wales Bangor
DR. SUMMER HANNA
Head of Scientific Regulation
Career experience
2021-2023
Head of Scientific Regulatory Engagement, Legal & External Affairs
2019-2021
Principal Cannabinoid Science Manager
Degree(s)/qualifications
PhD
Analytical Chemistry
Wake Forest University, North Carolina
BSc
Chemistry
Winthrop University, South Carolina
ED FORSDIKE
Head of R&D, Wellbeing & Stimulation
Career experience
2020-2022
Head of Global Vapour R&D
2018-2022
Group Head of Strategic Science & Technology
Degree(s)/qualifications
MEng
Mechanical Engineering
Durham University
DR. HUGO TAN
Global Medical Safety Officer
Career experience
2022-2024
Regional Head of Scientific Engagement, APMEA
2019-2022
Medical and Regulatory Director, AstraZeneca Hong Kong & Macau
Degree(s)/qualifications
MBBS
International Medical University, Malaysia
MBA
Manchester
Business School
LUIGI GIUCCA
Group Head of New Categories R&D
Career experience
2021-2023
Global Head of Supply Network Operations
2016-2021
Group Head of Supply Chain
Degree(s)/qualifications
BSc
Engineering & Chemical Engineering
Sapienza Università di Roma
For more than 16 years our R&D centre in the UK has operated a 12-month undergraduate placement scheme, fostering future talent in STEM subjects, while also recruiting a diversity of technical backgrounds and cultures. In the past four years our intake of female scientists and engineers has risen (from 20% intake in 2020 to 40% in 2024). Nurturing early talent in STEM, especially female talent, supports our gender equity agenda. Currently, 53% of our Research & Science Director's Leadership Team are women.
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Smokeless Products: An Introduction -
01. Our Vision: A Need for Reappraisal -
02. The Big Questions -
03. Impact of Smoking -
04. Our Smokeless Science -
05. Our Smokeless Products -
06. THR: A Global Transformation -
07. THR: Global Regulation -
08. THR: Scientific Engagement -
09. Our Future Outlook -
10. References -
11. Our Published THR Science