Maqsood (Max) Ahmed, Head of Mental Health Innovation
Max leads the Mental Health Innovation team at Wellcome, shaping a portfolio of projects that advance the early identification, prediction and treatment of mental health conditions. His focus is on driving translational approaches and innovative solutions that can deliver impact at scale.
Max brings experience from biotech, contract research and academia to his role at Wellcome. Most recently, at Compass Pathways he contributed to the development of novel pharmacological interventions and worked on portfolio-level initiatives.
Earlier in his career, Max worked across neuroscience, pharmacology and cell-based approaches for neurodegeneration in both commercial and academic settings.
Max has also served as trustee and chair of Change Mental Health, supporting efforts to improve access to care and equity in mental health services.
He completed a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at University College London and postdoctoral research in developmental and regenerative neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh.
