A scientist, feminist and entrepreneur

In 1982, Anne-Marie Corner graduated from Manchester Polytechnic with a degree in chemistry and biology. She went on to have a stellar career as a scientist and businesswoman in the USA, advocating for women leaders and breaking down gender barriers along the way.  

Moving from Wales to study in Manchester was pivotal in her life. Here, she gained the skills that would set her on a path to success and met her future husband, James Corner.  

Anne-Marie reflected: “We owe a lot to Manchester Met on a personal and professional level. We met in the Salisbury pub, and that was the start of something wonderful.  

“But on a more serious level, we love the ongoing connection we have with Manchester. We are so proud to be alumni, so grateful for the incredible education we received, and so happy that we are still engaged with the University – even though we live in America.”    

After graduating, Anne-Marie and James married and moved to the USA. At the time, the country was experiencing an HIV epidemic, which became an international issue. There was no effective treatment available in the 1980s, and little hope for those diagnosed with the disease.  

Anne-Marie launched a biotechnology company, Biosyn, that conducted vital work in combatting HIV, which made her one of few female Chief Executives in the US biotech world and a pioneer for tackling gender bias.  

At one point, her company had more than 5,000 people participating in a clinical trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of drugs in reducing the transmission of HIV. However, due to the strength of the placebo effect, the trial had to be stopped.  

This work provided a future framework with a huge clinical trial network that proved to be useful for many other HIV drug testing schemes that followed. Her expertise and tenacity also led to her being called upon by The White House to work alongside pharmaceutical companies to provide vital insight into fighting HIV and AIDS.  

Supporting women in business    

The company later merged with a larger public company. Anne-Marie initially remained in the business, then started another one, which looked into a new drug for Alzheimer’s. When her husband’s career took off globally, Anne-Marie decided to focus on her family.  

Her acumen continued to have a positive impact. She helped found three not-for-profit organisations, including The Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs. It was launched for women who ran high-growth companies and needed venture capital to scale their businesses. 

As well as providing a supportive network for women in business, the Alliance did a lot of work to help get women on corporate boards.  

She also sat on the board of Breakthrough, an education organisation helping lower-income children, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, to prosper in school and attend good universities.  

Supporting first-generation students  

The Corners continue to be actively involved with the University, and their generosity as donors funds places for the next generation of students to follow their dreams.

Anne-Marie explains why she and James support the First Generation Scholarship Programme: “A university education can be transformative, not only in what you learn, but who you meet, the connections you make, and the experiences you undergo.  

“Every person with the drive and desire to attend university should have that chance, and lack of funds shouldn’t be a hindrance.  

“We both feel that going to Manchester Met was the foundation on which every success for us was made. And so, if, in some way, we can financially help others to have the opportunity to attend the University, then we will do our best to support that.” 

As part of the University’s 200-year celebrations, James and Anne-Marie Corner hosted a special event for USA alumni at Field Operations in New York with Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcolm Press. During the reception, alumni networked and learned more about Manchester Met’s ambitions for the future.  

Anne-Marie commented: “Hosting the alumni reception was a delight and a great way for us to show our appreciation for everything we gained from attending Manchester Met.”