What inspired you to embark on a career in academic research?
During my placement year, I enjoyed having my own independent research project, where I could approach problems creatively and work through them in a structured, analytical way. I found the process of developing solutions both challenging and rewarding, which reinforced my interest in pursuing a PhD. The opportunity to become fully immersed in a research project, with the scope to shape its direction and apply experimental thinking, was especially motivating.
I have always had a strong interest in human biology and health. Being able to pursue doctoral research in this area—and now contribute to the wider body of laboratory work supporting these fields is something I find very fulfilling and rewarding.
What was your path to join HAIM in Leeds?
I completed both my undergraduate degree and PhD at the University of Huddersfield. During the writing stage of my PhD, I took on a role as a science technician working across schools and colleges, where I supported practical teaching and it gave me the chance to communicate and explain scientific concepts with younger students. This allowed me to develop strong organisational and communication skills, alongside my technical laboratory background. When I saw the Area Co-ordinator position advertised, I recognised it as an ideal opportunity to bring together my research experience, practical laboratory knowledge, and passion for supporting others in scientific research and learning.
What does your daily role entail?
In my day to day role I am usually mixed between office and laboratory depending on what I have planned for the day. I am primarily responsible for supporting multiple research groups across levels 5 and 6 in the Brenner building, while also contributing more broadly to supporting other areas across both the Brenner Building and the Clinical Sciences Building. I work closely with senior laboratory managers, technicians and our infrastructure support team to provide operational support the floors. Some of my more laboratory based responsibilities include; reporting faults/issues with equipment, supervising and being a named contact for engineer visits and defrosting freezers in line with our sustainability goals. On the more administrative/office based side of my role involves; local building orientations for new staff and students, sending floor wide messages through emails and teams channels and creating and updating training documents and rotas.
What aspects of your role do you most enjoy?
The aspect I enjoy most about my role is the opportunity to meet and interact with a wide range of people and to build strong working relationships across different teams. I find it easy to establish a natural rapport with colleagues, and I am often seen as approachable and friendly, which helps foster a positive and collaborative working environment.
I also enjoy hands-on tasks such as organising and maintaining laboratory spaces. This includes tidying shared areas and defrosting and reorganising fridges and freezers. I find this especially rewarding when it creates additional storage space for those working in the laboratory. These activities not only improve day-to-day efficiency but also support our sustainability goals and contribute more local initiatives such as the annual freezer challenge.
What career advice would you give to someone starting their career?
The advice I would give is that it’s okay not to know what your long-term career goals are and it’s normal for your interests and ambitions to evolve over time. If you feel that pursuing a PhD is the right step for you, then it’s worth exploring. However, completing a PhD does not mean you will be limited to postdoctoral research work. There are many different career paths available, both within and beyond academia. You may also discover that working in a laboratory every day is not what you want long term - and that’s completely valid. Gaining that experience can still open doors to a wide range of alternative roles where your skills and knowledge remain highly valuable.
