Dr Lydia Mapstone (BoobyBiome)

Overview

Dr. Lydia Mapstone is a prominent British scientist and entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder and CEO of BoobyBiome, a biotech company focused on enhancing infant health through microbiome solutions derived from breast milk. Dr. Mapstone's work centers on leveraging cutting-edge microbiome science to innovate safe and effective products that address various infant health challenges linked to inadequate microbiome development. Under her leadership, BoobyBiome has become a pioneer in the FemTech sector, aiming to ensure that every infant has access to the benefits of a healthy microbiome. Her efforts in this field have been recognized through various accolades and funding, marking her as a significant figure in the realm of infant health technology.

Recent Developments

In recent years, Dr. Lydia Mapstone and her company, BoobyBiome, have made significant strides in the field of infant health. Notable recent developments include:

September 2025: BoobyBiome secured €2.8 million in Seed funding led by Empirical Ventures to support their advanced breast milk microbiome research and global commercial scaling. This funding round highlights the biotech community's recognition of BoobyBiome's potential impact on infant health (source).
March 2025: BoobyBiome received a £1.6 million Biomedical Catalyst Grant from Innovate UK, which will accelerate their research into a new synbiotic product aimed at improving infant gut health (source).
December 2024: Dr. Mapstone and her co-founders were recognized in the Hurun UK Under 30 Young Entrepreneurs to Watch list, underscoring their pioneering work in advancing infant health biotechnology (source).
January 2025: BoobyBiome announced upcoming clinical trials for their live microbiome drop, designed to supplement formula-fed infants' microbiomes. The trials aim to validate the product's safety and efficacy (source).

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Dr. Lydia Mapstone
Born	Not publicly available
Nationality	British
Occupation	Scientist, CEO of BoobyBiome
Known For	Co-founding BoobyBiome, breast milk microbiome research
Net Worth	Not publicly available
Education	BSc Biological Sciences (Bristol), MSc Synthetic Biology & Biotechnology (Edinburgh), PhD Molecular Biology & Microbiology (UCL)

Early Life and Education

Dr. Lydia Mapstone's journey into the world of microbiome science and biotechnology began with her studies at the University of Bristol, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Her academic pursuits continued at the University of Edinburgh, where she completed a Master of Science in Synthetic Biology & Biotechnology. During her time at Edinburgh, Dr. Mapstone was part of a team that won the Best Therapeutic prize at the international synthetic biology competition, iGEM, in 2017. She furthered her education with a PhD in Molecular Biology & Microbiology at University College London (UCL), where she researched the potential of Spirulina as a crop for space travel. These academic experiences laid the foundation for her future entrepreneurial ventures, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of biology and biotechnology, which would later ignite her passion for transforming infant health (source).

Career and Notable Achievements

Dr. Lydia Mapstone's career trajectory has been marked by significant achievements and contributions to the field of biotechnology, particularly concerning infant health.

Co-founding BoobyBiome (2019): Dr. Mapstone co-founded BoobyBiome alongside Dr. Sioned Jones and Dr. Tara O'Driscoll, motivated by the need to address infant health issues linked to microbiome development. The company focuses on creating products derived from the breast milk microbiome to support infant gut health (source).
Development of Innovative Products: BoobyBiome has pioneered innovations such as a breast milk storage device and a live microbiome drop supplement, both aimed at enhancing infant health outcomes (source).
Recognition and Funding: Dr. Mapstone's leadership has attracted substantial investment and recognition, including the prestigious Hurun UK Under 30 list and significant grants from Innovate UK (source).

Current Work and Impact

Dr. Lydia Mapstone is currently the CEO of BoobyBiome, where she leads efforts to revolutionize infant health through scientifically-backed microbiome solutions. The company's mission is to provide every baby with access to the breast milk microbiome's benefits. Under her leadership, BoobyBiome is actively working on commercializing their patented breast milk storage device and conducting trials for their live microbiome supplement (source). This work not only addresses critical gaps in infant nutrition but also underscores the importance of microbiome science in shaping long-term health outcomes.

Conclusion

Dr. Lydia Mapstone stands out as a leading figure in biotechnology, particularly in the realm of infant health. Her pioneering work with BoobyBiome has paved the way for research and innovations in the breast milk microbiome, aiming to provide all infants with a strong foundation for future health. As BoobyBiome continues to expand its reach and develop new products, Dr. Mapstone's vision and leadership promise to leave a lasting impact on the biotech sector and infant health globally. Her ongoing contributions emphasize the critical role of microbiomes in health and hold the potential to revolutionize infant care practices worldwide.