Karen Russ joined HSL in September 2006 following 17 years experience in the private sector. Karen is the Deputy Chief Executive at HSL and the Director responsible for Project Delivery. She has a first Class Honours Degree in Physics, a Masters Degree in Computer Science and a PhD in optoelectronics, all from Manchester University. Following her PhD Karen spent a year on the academic staff at Manchester before joining global glass manufacturing company Pilkington plc.  Eight years as a UK research specialist (during which Karen obtained a Master Degree in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University) and 2 years as an Advanced Engineer in the US, were followed by global senior management roles in the areas of business systems, HR, manufacturing improvement, capital project management and intellectual property management. Karen is also a Fellow of the Institute of Physics. In 2010 karen was appointed to the Project Peer Review Panel of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).