In this episode of Enterprise Sessions from the University of Bristol, Professor Michele Barbour speaks with Dr Rebecca Shepherd, Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, whose unconventional journey from NHS histology labs to ivory identification expert has sparked a thriving research‑led enterprise.

What began as an enthusiastic promise to TV anatomist Professor Alice Roberts during a book‑tour lunch has since evolved into a sophisticated service using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning to distinguish between elephant and mammoth ivory with remarkable accuracy. Along the way, Rebecca discovered a surprising global demand — from auction houses and museums to conservation organisations and private collectors — for non‑destructive, reliable ivory identification.

In this captivating conversation, Rebecca shares how an academic side‑project became a conservation tool, a business opportunity, and a deeply interdisciplinary research endeavour drawing on anatomy, chemistry, data science, archaeology and physics. She also reflects on learning to navigate pricing, legal frameworks, client relationships, and the unique opportunities that arise when curiosity meets enterprise.

🔍 In the episode:

· Why anatomy is far from “all discovered”

· How a chance email to Professor Alice Roberts changed Rebecca’s career

· Using Raman spectroscopy to analyse ivory — and pushing accuracy to 99.7%

· Collaborating with chemists, data scientists, conservationists and museums

· The ethics, laws and complexities of the ivory trade

· Building a research‑based service within a university environment

· The practicalities of pricing, insurance, safety and client negotiation

· How enterprise influences — and enriches — academic research

· Advice for researchers thinking about commercialising niche expertise

🌐 About the Enterprise Sessions
The Enterprise Sessions bring together founders and researchers to share candid insights on spin-outs, start-ups, raising capital, and translating research into real-world impact. Our goal? To inform, inspire, and challenge myths about research commercialisation.

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Connect with our Guests:

Dr Rebecca Shepherd – LinkedIn

Michele Barbour – LinkedIn

Lasers, Ivory & Unexpected Entrepreneurship | The Enterprise Sessions with Dr Rebecca Shepherd

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Lasers, Ivory & Unexpected Entrepreneurship | The Enterprise Sessions with Dr Rebecca Shepherd