Entrepreneurship on Norwich Research Park
Norwich has a way of drawing people back.
For Dr Rosaria Campilongo, that pull began with a four‑month research collaboration and grew into an 11‑year journey spanning academic science, entrepreneurship and family life.
Today, Rosaria works at Norwich Research Park across science, knowledge exchange and business development, while also co‑founding a biotech spin‑out company developing sustainable solutions for agriculture. Her story reflects a distinctive strength of Norwich: a city where ideas don’t just stay in the lab – they grow.
Rosaria first arrived in Norwich in 2014 from Rome, supported by the Federation of European Microbiological Societies to collaborate with the then Institute of Food Research.
What stood out immediately was the speed and support of working here.
“Everything moved so fast,” she recalls. “The facilities, the technical support, the community – you could focus completely on the science.”
That experience planted a seed. Norwich wasn’t just a productive place to work, it was somewhere that encouraged curiosity beyond borders: new languages, new cultures, new ways of thinking.
So when another fellowship opportunity arose, this time in collaboration with the John Innes Centre, Rosaria applied.
By 2015, she was back and this time, she stayed.
Growing with Norwich Research Park
With a background in microbiology, Rosaria joined the group of molecular microbiologist Dr Jacob Malone, embedding herself in a research environment known internationally for excellence.
But like many researchers in Norwich, her career didn’t stay within a single lane.
Over time, she became increasingly interested in what happens after discovery – how research moves into the world, how innovation becomes application.
In 2022, that curiosity became something tangible.
Together with former supervisor Jacob and colleague Andrew, Rosaria co‑founded PfBIO, a John Innes Centre spin‑out developing microbe‑based agricultural products as sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical inputs.
“It felt like a second baby,” she says, quite literally, as the company launched shortly after she became a parent.
A City That Works for Families
Norwich isn’t just a great place to build a career. For Rosaria, it’s also an ideal place to raise a family.
“Rome is beautiful,” she says, “but life changes when you have a child. Norwich has the perfect dimensions.”
From nearby nurseries on the Research Park to parent networks, flexible working and walkable green spaces, the city supports researchers not just as professionals, but as people.
“There’s real understanding,” Rosaria explains. “Work-life balance is encouraged, and that makes a huge difference.”
It’s not just childcare, it’s access to activities, nature, community and time.
“This is a city where it’s easy to live,” she says. “And that matters.”
For families, this balance really comes into focus. Norwich is recognised as the UK’s best place to live, valued for its human scale, sense of safety and strong community networks.
Child‑friendly neighbourhoods, easy access to nature, cultural events and everyday convenience make day‑to‑day life simpler and more enjoyable.
It’s a city that allows people to put down roots, not just pass through, encouraging them to stay, contribute and grow.
In research and science, Norwich stands out as a place where innovation flourishes locally, not elsewhere.
Across the Research Park – from the John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory, Quadram Institute, Earlham Institute, UEA, and industry partners – collaboration is constant and cross‑disciplinary.
“There is a real effort to build an entrepreneurial culture,” Rosaria says. “And to show people early that there are many ways to use scientific skills.”
For Norwich, that means talent can grow, diversify and stay.
It means building a future that doesn’t force a choice between science, impact, family, or place.
For Rosaria, this environment made all the difference.
Explore opportunities on Norwich Research Park
Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.
Earlham Institute
John Innes Centre
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant science, genetics and microbiology.
John Innes Centre
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals
One of the biggest trusts in the country, NNUH employs more than 10,000 staff.
NNUH
Norwich Research Park
Norwich Research Park’s vision is to change lives and rethink society through pioneering research and innovation, reframing the future of research and delivering regional growth.
Norwich Research Park
Quadram Institute
Go Back The Quadram Institute brings together researchers, academics and NHS clinicians to address global challenges in human health, food and disease.
Quadram Institute
The Sainsbury Laboratory
The Sainsbury Laboratory is committed to the highest standard of fundamental and applied scientific research into molecular plant-microbe interactions.
TSL
