What do you do when you’re not working at the Lighthouse Labs?
I’m a postdoctoral scientist at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (CRUK-MI) which is part of The University of Manchester.
How many years of scientific experience do you have?
I’ve been at CRUK-MI for five years as a postdoctoral scientist. Prior to coming to Manchester I did my PhD at the Medical University of Graz in Austria.
What is your role in the Lighthouse Lab?
My work includes checking and un-bagging samples, and then preparing the samples for the extraction of nucleic acids – post-inactivation of the virus.
What is the key experience you bring to that role?
I bring experience of working with patient samples from the clinic, as well my experience in molecular biology.
How is it different to your regular role?
In my role as a postdoctoral scientist at CRUK MI, I am working towards understanding the utility of analysing liquid biopsies from patients with pancreatic cancer. Both in my regular role, and in my current role at the Lighthouse lab, my work revolves around making a change in the lives of patients. And in that way, it isn’t hugely different.
Why did you want to get involved?
The world is going though one of the most difficult times my generation will ever see (hopefully the only one). I wanted to do my little bit to help during the UK’s hour of need.
What does it mean to you to be involved?
Working in these testing labs is close to my heart as there are many people (including my family) for whom going outside, even for essentials, is not an option because of their pre-existing conditions. Being involved in the Lighthouse Labs means I am putting to use all my training and experience of working in molecular biology for an important cause that has affected all our lives in one way or another.
What is it like working alongside a host of new colleagues from both industry and academia?
It’s wonderful working with new colleagues from all sectors of academia and industry. We all bring different experience to the labs and we are all motivated to get the job done.
What is the best thing about working in the Lighthouse Lab?
We have made a lot of progress in a short time in contributing towards testing for COVID-19 in individuals across the country. People from many sectors of academia and industry have come together to help and make their little contribution to support key workers by increasing the number of tests done per day.
“The world is going though one of the most difficult times my generation will ever see (hopefully the only one). I wanted to do my little bit to help during the UK’s hour of need.”
