Natalija Stepurko

Structural Biologist & Deep Tech Founder | PhD Cambridge | Cell signalling · SAXS · ML/AI for science

Paris, Île-de-France, France

About

Structural biophysicist and deep tech founder with a Cambridge PhD (Herchel Smith Fellow). My doctoral research used synchrotron SAXS, biophysical characterisation, and computational modelling to investigate TGF-β superfamily signalling. I have since co-founded two companies - BravelyCultured (Cambridge biotech, £490K+ raised) and Repliqease (ML/AI, multimodal video analysis) - while maintaining an active research identity spanning wet lab, structural modelling, and data science. I teach, supervise, and present internationally. Currently seeking research positions and collaborations at the interface of structural biology, data science, and translational science.

Experience

  • Co-founder & CEO at Stealth Startup
    Apr 2025 - Feb 2026 · 11 mos

    Co-founded an ML/AI company developing multimodal video analysis and decision-making algorithms. Delivered proof-of-concept projects to one of the world's largest news agencies, and to robotics and manufacturing clients. Selected as a Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Pioneer 2026 from 4,800+ applications across 108 countries.

  • Co-founder & CEO at BravelyCultured
    Dec 2022 - Jan 2025 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    Co-founded and led a deep tech biotech startup developing novel alternative protein production technology. Raised £490K+ across dilutive and grant funding (Carbon13, Cambridge Enterprise, UK/EU government grants). Worked with 7 industrial partners across cosmetics, agriculture, and foodtech. Managed a team of 5 and a private laboratory facility. Recognised across 8 international conferences and 6 deep tech awards; covered by 7 media outlets.

  • Co-Founder Participating in Carbon13 Venture Builder at Carbon13
    Sep 2022 - Apr 2023 · 8 mos

    Recruited the CSO and COO to co-found BravelyCultured within the Carbon13 programme, securing initial investment to address the climate emergency through biotechnology.

  • Research Intern - Dr Marko Hyvönen's Lab at University of Cambridge
    Jun 2018 - Aug 2018 · 3 mos

    Externally funded continuation of Amgen Scholars placement (2017), investigating the structural biology of follistatin - work that formed part of the foundation for subsequent doctoral research. Project focused on biophysics of growth factors and their inhibitors within the TGF-β superfamily.

  • Newcastle University (6 mos)
    • Final Year Research Project - Prof Jane Endicott & Prof Martin Noble's Lab
      Jan 2018 - Mar 2018 · 3 mos

      Focused on fragment-based drug discovery in cancer research. Protein expression, purification, and analysis by X-ray crystallography.

    • Laboratory Assistant - Prof Jeremy H. Lakey's Lab
      Oct 2017 - Dec 2017 · 3 mos

      Funded through laboratory research grants. Protein purification optimisation with the aim of scaling up to the industrial bioreactors and flow filtration.