Karina McQuillan is the Global Head of Toxicology at BAT, where she leads the company’s global toxicological strategy and oversees the safety assessment of BAT’s diverse product portfolio across multiple categories. Working in close collaboration with BAT’s wider scientific and regulatory teams, Karina directs the delivery of robust, science led safety evaluations that underpin BAT’s duty of care to adult consumers worldwide (ex US).

Currently based at BAT’s R&D centre in Southampton, Karina brings extensive international experience to her role. She has previously spent time in Poland supporting BAT’s growth within the vapour category, and in Canada where she contributed to the development of novel product innovations and research programmes.

With a PhD level background in Biomedical Science and Molecular Cell Biology, Karina has built a distinguished career at BAT spanning several scientific and product focused roles across multiple geographies. Her experience includes leadership positions in smokeless product development, product science, and product stewardship, with a significant focus on the vapour category.

Across each of her roles, Karina has championed strong product science and the use of evidence based methodologies to inform product development, raise product standards and support the continuous improvement of next generation nicotine products for adult consumers.