Meet the Team – Shalini Dinesh

Meet the Team – Shalini Dinesh

Shalini Dinesh joined LightOx as Scientific Writer, Communications and PR Manager in December 2025, bringing together her clinical background in dentistry with a passion for making complex science clear, engaging and accessible. From communicating the potential of LightOx’s work in oral cancer and wound care to sharing the people, progress and stories behind the science, Shalini plays an important role in helping different audiences understand why the company’s innovations matter.

We caught up with her to learn more about her journey into science communications, what attracted her to LightOx and why she believes great communication can help scientific discoveries reach the people who need them most.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your role at LightOx?

Hi, I’m Shalini Dinesh and I’ve been the Scientific Writer, Communications and PR Manager at LightOx since December 2025. My role is to take the exciting science happening at LightOx and share it with the world in a way that people can understand and connect with.

I work on creating content, communicating our science, and sharing our journey with different audiences. For me, it’s about making sure LightOx’s work doesn’t stay within the lab but reaches the people who need to know about it.

Can you tell us about your career journey so far and what led you into the world of science communications?

I’m originally a dentist, and during my clinical practice, I strongly believed that the knowledge I had about a patient’s health was something they had the right to understand too. I never wanted patients to simply be told what was happening. I wanted them to understand their condition, their treatment options and the science behind it in a way that made sense to them. That belief has always stayed with me and naturally led me towards exploring medical writing and science communication. Over time, I realised that was something I genuinely loved doing, and that’s what brought me into science communications.

What attracted you to LightOx and the work being carried out here?

What first attracted me to LightOx was its work on oral cancer. As a dentist, I’ve seen first-hand the impact oral cancer has on patients and how limited the treatment options can be. Knowing that LightOx was working on something with the potential to change that genuinely blew my mind, and I was immediately drawn to its science.

The role itself was a perfect fit. I enjoy working in cancer care, I love translating science into stories, and I’m passionate about innovative scientific breakthroughs. Bringing all of those things together made it feel like a role that was made just for me.

A big part of your role is translating complex science into meaningful stories. How do you approach making innovation accessible and engaging?

For me, it always starts with the audience. Whether I’m writing a post, a blog, or an update, I think about who’s reading it and what they’ll find interesting or useful.

I try to explain the science in a way that’s clear and engaging without compromising accuracy. Rather than focusing only on the technical details, I like to highlight the bigger picture of what we’re doing, why it matters and how it could make a difference.

LightOx is developing new approaches in areas such as oral cancer and wound care. What role does communication play in helping scientific discoveries reach the people who need them most?

Communication gives science a voice. Researchers can develop incredible innovations, but people need to understand what they are, why they matter and how they could potentially help. At LightOx, my role is to help tell that story. We want our audience to be informed and included in our journey as we progress. For me, good communication is not just about sharing updates, it’s about building a relationship and bringing people along as we work towards making a difference.

What has been your favourite project, story or moment since joining LightOx?

I’d say the Medilink Awards. LightOx has won plenty of awards over the years, but this was the first one since I joined, so it felt a bit more personal. Being part of telling that story, seeing the team celebrate, and sharing that achievement with everyone was really special. It was one of those moments where you stop and realise how much the company has achieved, while also appreciating the amazing team I get to work with, who are incredibly passionate and dedicated to what they do.

What excites you most about the future of LightOx and the impact the team is working towards?

What excites me most is the science itself. It’s innovative, ambitious and, most importantly, designed to solve real problems. What I find incredible is that this isn’t just science that looks promising on paper but has the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives. Being able to play a small part in sharing that work and helping more people understand its impact is something I find very rewarding.

When you’re not working, how do you like to unwind?

You’ll usually find me watching films or reading a good book. I love stories in all forms, whether they’re on screen or on the page. Both are a great way for me to switch off and relax.

Who are the four guests (past or present) you’d invite to your dream dinner party and why?

To be honest, my dream dinner party wouldn’t be with famous people. I would simply choose my Mum, my Dad and my sister. I’d enjoy nothing more than sitting around a table with family, having a home-cooked meal and catching up properly. After being away from them for so long, that would be my perfect dinner party.

Finally, if you weren’t working in science communications, what would your dream job be?

I think I would have been a humanitarian aid worker. I’ve always admired people who are willing to go into difficult environments and support communities in need. Coming from a healthcare background, I’ve always been drawn to roles where I can make a difference in people’s lives, so being able to take those skills to places where they are most needed would have been something I would have loved to do.

For more information on LightOx – visit www.lightox.co.uk or connect with Andrew here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-carrod-484004132/