Isabel is Deputy Director for Technology Strategy and Security in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This includes responsibility for DSIT policy on robotics, neurotechnologies, advanced materials and engineering biology. She also works across DSIT to coordinate its activity on critical and emerging technologies. Prior to this she held the role of Head of Engineering Biology. Isabel previously worked in the Business Secretary's Office as a Senior Private Secretary covering science, innovation and nuclear policy. Prior to that Isabel led on digital, tech and culture in the No10 Policy Unit, as well as previous policy roles in DExEU, Defra and BEIS.
She holds a PhD in molecular microbiology from the John Innes Centre, Norwich. Her research investigated the plant-microbial interactions that lead to biological nitrogen fixation.