Category: Biomedical Genetics

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My Placement Year at Almac Group

By Sam Branton, Stage 3 Pharmacology

Hi, I’m Sam, I completed a placement year as part of my BSc Pharmacology degree. I worked as an analyst for Almac Group for 14 months at their Charnwood Site (in Loughborough). 

Almac Group is a Northern Irish pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO). Pharma Services was the part of the company I worked for, specifically the Analytical Operations department. 

As an analyst I was responsible for performing the analytical testing of drug products and drug substances. The lab I worked in was a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant lab so there were procedures to follow for pretty much everything that I did. This was tricky to begin with, but once I got used to it, it became a lot easier. 

A day in the life of an analyst

Working for a CDMO meant that I got to work with many different companies’ products. I worked with many different drug products and performed many different types of analytical tests. Unfortunately, due to the products I worked on being in the early phases of clinical trials, there was a lot of confidentiality around the companies I worked with and the products I analysed. 

Volumetric flasks – a regular sight on placement. Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.

There was a lot of training I had to complete before I was able to perform any analysis. This involved reading and being signed off on all standard operating procedures (these basically told you how everything was done) related to the task. This took a very long time due to the amount that there were, so the first few weeks were not the most exciting. It got much better when I started my practical assessments for the analytical techniques. Then I could complete analysis on products. 

I was trained in a range of analytical techniques; dissolution, content uniformity, assay and related substance, water content (Karl Fischer titration), water activity, appearance, hardness, and disintegration. Some of which had to be analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (or ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)) or UV-Vis spectroscopy, all of which I had to be trained on. Over the year I managed to gain lots of experience with each of these analytical techniques. 

Even though this was a chemistry-based role, placements provide training to ensure you are confident in your role. So, if you are thinking about applying to a role that isn’t directly linked to your degree I’d still recommend applying! 

Being a placement student

Despite being the only placement student on the site, I never felt out of place. Everyone was really friendly and made me feel welcome as soon as I started. As placement roles are usually similar to graduate roles, I worked with a lot of people who were also starting their first full-time job, which helped with my transition into the role. 

Outside of my placement, every Thursday me and some of my colleagues would go to the local climbing centre to relax and catch up outside of work. This made my placement year so much more enjoyable and helped me discover a new hobby I really enjoy! 

Discovering a new hobby in climbing – a good way to decompress after work! Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.

Do I recommend doing a placement year?

Definitely! I learnt so much during my placement and learnt how to use many bits of fancy (and expensive) equipment that I wouldn’t have done if I’d gone straight into my final year. Pretty much all placements are paid too which can help reduce some stress for your final year. The experience you gain from your placement will help when applying to graduate roles. It’s also possible to be offered a job where you completed your placement for when you have finished your degree! So, if you are considering applying, I’d highly recommend it! 

If you’re applying to placements, good luck! Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash.

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Placement years: there are more options than you think!

By Megan Groves, BSc Biomedical Genetics with Professional Placement Year

Hi, I’m Megan and I’m a Biomedical Genetics student at Newcastle. I was very lucky to be able to undertake a unique type of placement year and learn more than I ever could have imagined! 

I find it so much easier to learn new skills while working and being able to apply my knowledge in real time so I knew a placement would suit me perfectly. I applied to a few placements advertised through the university, but none really spoke to me. I wanted to see if I could find other options, so I typed “Genetics UK” into Google and cold-emailed the first 5 pages of companies that came up. Luckily, Gemini Genetics was among the ones that answered!  

After a phone interview, I travelled to Shropshire for a trial day, and I was easily convinced that I would really enjoy my time there.  

Social media promotional posts for charity Nature’s SAFE.

The placement I undertook was quite particular as I worked part time for 2 very different companies that operate on the same site. The first one, Gemini Genetics is a company that offers genetic preservation and cell culture services for pet owners who wish to clone their cats, dogs or horses. It is a very small company, so I was able to get involved in a lot of projects and make progress quickly.

My job involved everything from data management, contact with clients and social media marketing, to genetic preservation sample processing, cell culture work, liquid nitrogen handling and all lab work for sister charity Nature’s SAFE – a charity that endeavours to save animals from extinction by cryopreserving samples from hundreds of endangered species.

Performing an epididymal semen extraction on squirrel monkey tests for charity Nature’s SAFE.

My second job was working for Stallion AI Services, a world-renowned company in the field of equine breeding. I spent 2 days a week working on the yard as a stud groom, taking care of the stallions as well as learning about semen collection and processing. This allowed me to have a very varied workload, going from physical yard work in the morning to lab work in the afternoon multiple times a week. The team working with the stallions was also incredibly warm and welcoming and it felt very rewarding to become a true part of it. Stallion AI Services also employed 2 other placement students and as we all lived onsite together, it allowed us to grow very close and make some fantastic memories!

Big Star Movie Premiere Event at Stallion AI Services

Working both of these jobs allowed me to condense so much learning into one short year – building on completely different skills every other day. I thrive on variety and being able to hop from one role to another, sometimes multiple times within a day, was truly the best thing I could have asked for.

Why would I choose to do a placement at a small company?

When you work at a small company, you end up being involved in more aspects of its daily operations and get to see the full scope of your work! At Gemini Genetics, the lab staff included my manager, myself, and one other part-time member of staff. This meant I was able to get fully stuck in with loads of different jobs, from social media to sample processing and client enquiries which meant I was able to be involved in processes from start to finish!

How can I find a placement tailored to me?

Because the placement itself is so unique, there isn’t just one answer to this! For me, I found that really leaning into what differentiated me from my peers and what I could bring to the company was key.

For example, I have a background working in the equine industry from before going to university so I leaned into that when I found the opportunity to do these placements – and I speak French and German which ended up being a massive plus in these companies that have loads of European clients, and not always staff members that are proficient in the languages!

Is taking a placement year beneficial?

I personally cannot put into word how beneficial I think placements are! They teach you so much about yourself as well as the industry you might (or might not!) want to work in. There is nothing like a steep learning curve in a completely new environment to build friendships for life and some hard-earned resilience – especially if you have to be around moody horses in the cold and wet Shropshire winter!

Cloned stallion Murka’s Gem striking a pose.

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My Immunology Placement at GSK 

By Laura Butler, BSc Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement Year

For my placement year, I spent 12 months working for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) at their Stevenage site.  

I was part of the Respiratory, Immunology and Inflammation Research Unit, who focus on developing medicines for immune-driven diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (or just ‘lupus’), and other inflammatory diseases. I worked within the biology team of this research unit, who perform experiments to aid in the pre-clinical development of drugs. I really enjoyed working within the biology unit, as it was clear to see how my research contributed to the drug discovery process, and how it could potentially help patients in the future.  

GSK’s Stevenage Campus – home to about 90 placement students each year.

Day to Day

I usually spent a couple of hours in the lab performing experiments each day. I was supervised in the lab during my first month, but then I was able to work independently. I was involved in multiple different projects during my time at GSK, so I learnt a range of lab techniques including cell culture, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction), and spectral flow cytometry. I also learnt how to design experiments, and to troubleshoot when things go wrong.  

These are some of the machines I used on my placement. Left to right: Sony ID7000 spectral analyser, Cytek Aurora, and the Quant Studio 7 Pro.  

Outside of the lab, I analysed the data from my experiments so I learnt how to use multiple data analysis softwares. I then wrote up the method, results, and conclusions of my experiments so the company keep a record of them. I also attended team meetings, where I would often present my results to colleagues from across the company. I now feel much more confident presenting my work and my presentation skills have improved massively. I also attended seminars to learn more about work going on outside my project.  

Adjusting to working a 9-5 job was a big change because I was used to the flexible timetable of university. However, the placement 9-5 meant I could enjoy my evenings, weekends, and holidays without feeling guilty about not doing university work which I really liked. I also really enjoyed designing my own experiments and not knowing the outcome, which I haven’t been able to do at university yet.

Volunteering

Whilst working for GSK, I participated in the Leaders in STEM program, which involved running weekly sessions for year 12 students at a local school. I worked with other placement students to deliver several sessions about STEM topics, such as bioinformatics, drug discovery, STEM careers, and genetics, and we also ran several practicals.  

The students then planned a presentation on a topic of their choice which they delivered at a symposium at the GSK site to students from other schools. We delivered sessions on presentation skills, referencing, and how to find reliable sources to help them plan this presentation, and then they delivered it in front of us and we provided feedback. This experience helped me feel more confident mentoring and teaching other people, and it was a very rewarding experience.  

Life on Placement

Outside of the lab, I also helped organise a Christmas quiz for my team alongside the other placement students which was really fun and our team enjoyed it! 

Picture taken at the Christmas quiz. Pictured left to right: Laura Butler, Nathan Whitty, Vera Kjellberg.  

The placement student committee organised pub quizzes, a ball at the Gherkin in London, and a boat party. There are about 90 placement students at the Stevenage site so I still felt that I had a student community whilst on placement. Stevenage is well-connected with cities such as London and Cambridge, so me and the friends I made on placement were able to go to Thorpe park, Kew Gardens, the theatre in London, punting in Cambridge etc. 

Pictures from visits to (clockwise from top left): Thorpe Park, Notting Hill, Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament.

Advice

I was nervous leading up to my interview for this placement year, so I wrote out answers to common interview questions using the STAR technique and I practiced them, and did some research on GSK and the immunology drugs they have on the market. I also did a practice interview with Dr Beth Lawry, one of the academic placement officers. The preparation I did and the practice interview really helped me in my real interview. 

I am very thankful for this experience and have really enjoyed my placement year. I would like to continue working in the lab after university so the skills I have learnt during my placement will be really valuable. I have learnt a lot about the pharmaceutical industry, and my colleagues have been very supportive and have given me some very useful career advice. I would really recommend a placement year to anyone considering one! 

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The wonderful world of Microbiology

Ever wondered what goes on in the Newcastle University Biomedical Sciences labs behind the scenes? On Wednesday 28th February, researchers from the school of Biosciences, Nutritional and Sports Sciences organised a Microbiology research fair to give students a sneak peak into the fascinating world of microbiology research, PhDs, careers, summer placements and final year projects. There were also amazing opportunities to go and see the research laboratories and facilities on the lab tours. So I couldn’t resist tagging along to see what was going on – and let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint! From chatting with researchers deep in ground-breaking projects to getting a first hand look at cutting-edge equipment, there was so much to discover.

Students were talked through different research at each station

There were many areas of research, but one big topic that caught my attention was the gut microbiome. Even though this research fair was mainly aimed at Biosciences students, it was interesting as a student dietitian myself to see the vast amount of research that the University is conducting on this area, as it is a really new and exciting area in the advancing field of nutrition. Some PhD students were researching into how fibre is broken down in the gut by different strains of gut bacteria and how the body uses these chemicals that are produced. One student was focussing particularly on how caramelised sugars are digested by the gut microbiome, and even though excess sugars are seen to have harmful effects on health, some gut bacteria can break these down to useful chemicals!

One of the most interesting stations for me was the station that was showing a machine taking species from the sea to make antibiotics. A remote machine goes down 4000m deep in the South Pacific and takes samples from the bottom of the ocean. It was fascinating how intricate the collection process was, yet how simply the machine could extract the sediment. These samples are then transported back to the labs and the microbes are cultured. The microbes of particular interest to them are Actinomycetes, and these produce 70% of all antibiotics. These actinomycetes have the ability to kill MRSA and other large strains of microbes. These researchers really had a passion for the undiscovered potential of the sea, and it seems like this is a really up and coming area of research.

Here you can see the machine arm working at the bottom of the sea floor to extract the sediment

The most exciting part of the afternoon was the tours of the research labs! From state-of-the-art equipment to cutting-edge facilities, the students got a first hand look at what goes on in the world of research. Our tour leader’s research was focussing on Staphylococcus Aureus. Yes, we are talking about the superbug MRSA – a bacteria that is very complicated as it has the potential to cause lots of different diseases.

Gel electrophoresis equipment in the laboratory
Our fab laboratory tour guide showing us her MRSA superbug cultures

The labs had loads of cool equipment – the second one we were showed around was a biochemistry lab with research focussing on proteins. Their mission is to purify tiny proteins to find the protein of interest, and then grow crystals of it. The coolest machine in the lab by far was the X ray generator, which focuses on the protein crystal. The x ray signal is then amplified and detracts using electron density, which will rotate and shoot as many x rays as possible to collect the data. This helps them to calculate the structure of the molecule with the help of computer software, therefore figuring out what the protein looks like and its function. Ever heard of the lock and key interaction? Well, imagine the protein as the lock and the target molecule as the key. With 3D printing technology, these researchers can create super cool models of the protein structure. And here’s a fun fact to wrap things up – this model below was created of a tyrosine residue. Turns out, it’s not just some fancy scientific term – it’s actually a super important ingredient that can be used in toothpaste to break down plaque in your mouth, showing how important this science research is in everyday life!

The 3D model of tyrosine residues generated by the 3D printer


Biomedical scientists are also actively involved at the Freeman Hospital in researching urinary tract infections (UTIs) through a patient-centred approach, involving collaboration with clinicians ant their patients. This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the individual needs and experiences of patients in managing and treating UTIs. By working closely with clinicians and patients, these biomedical scientists are contributing to the development of personalized treatment strategies and interventions to improve patients outcomes. They also are conducting laboratory based research to better understand the underlying causes of UTIs, including identification of pathogens, antibiotic resistance patterns and host immune responses to help advance our understanding of them and develop more effective treatment options. This work shows the diverse scope of the Biomedical science profession, which extends beyond traditional lab-based research to the hospitals to use more patient-centred approaches to better improve quality of care.

Judith and Phillip are both active researchers within the Freeman Hospital and with Newcastle University

The research showcased at the fair provided a glimpse into the groundbreaking research happenign at the university in various fields. From the gut microbiome to exploring the potential of the sea for antibiotic discovery, students had so much opportunity to ask questions. The future of science is definitely looking bright!

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A year at Pharmaron UK

By Billy James

Most, if not all of you, will have never heard of Pharmaron. Neither had I, till I applied for a placement in their Formulation Development Team. 

A little context 

I first came across Pharmaron when looking for placements back in September 2021. A lecture entitled “Drug Formulation” had sparked my interest in the first few weeks of term, so when I came across Pharmaron’s “Formulation Development” placement I applied straight away.

 In preparation for interviews I did a little research into the company and found out they were a CDMO, or contract development and manufacturing organisation. Essentially, Pharmaron take on client contracts for anything ranging from drug discovery all the way through to manufacturing drug product for clinical trials.

Two of the buildings at Pharmaron’s Hoddesdon Site

My Placement

The placement itself was a 12-month stint within the formulation development team at the company’s site in Hoddesdon (I still wouldn’t be able to point this out to you on a map!). During the year, I was exposed to and involved in much more than I expected. If, like me, you expected a year of photocopying and running errands, then think again.

I couldn’t believe how soon I was thrown in the deep end! The CDMO work environment is very dynamic, any minute a client can email in a request to change or add to a contract and then its all hands on deck to get the work done. After only a few weeks of training (and reading lots of documentation), I was straight into helping my supervisor with the production of a batch of tablets for stability testing. And that was only the start.

Some examples of things I did while on placement include: qualification of fridges, freezers and digital clocks (yes, even clocks have to qualified in a GMP environment), production of stability batches (many, many tablets and capsules), installation and set up of new automatic balances (terrifyingly expensive pieces of kit) and completing a case study for the team.

The case study

Case studies are carried out on topics the team have little experience in or to show off their expertise to potential clients.

A case study I was asked to complete while on placement looked at tablet coatings. Specifically, the team wanted to learn more about (and show clients we knew about) titanium dioxide free coatings and how they compared to regular, titanium dioxide containing coatings. I won’t bore you with the legislative details, but to make a long story short, the EU may ban this compound from tablet coatings. This would be a bad thing as it would mean many drug shortages and discontinuations, as it has many very useful properties. Other compounds with similar properties simply do not exist.

I was given free reign on how to complete the case study, which gave me a real sense of pride as the team felt confident enough in my abilities to complete this important piece of work for them. Completing the case study also gave me an excellent piece of work to write my Placement Report on.

Another opportunity which arose from completing this case study was submitting a poster and abstract to the APS (Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences) to present at their annual PharmSci conference.

APS and PharmSci

After completing my case study and placement report, and as my placement was coming to an end, my supervisor suggested submitting an abstract and poster of my work to the APS for their PharmSci annual conference.

I thought this was an amazing opportunity which I couldn’t pass up on, so in the last few days of my placement I worked hard to prepare both a poster and abstract detailing the work we had completed on the case study.

To my surprise, both were accepted for presentation at the conference, and the abstract was also selected for an oral presentation (at the time this terrified me, but I soon realised it was an amazing opportunity)!


Attending the (all expenses paid!) conference was truly the highlight of my year, and being able to present the work I had spent many months on was an extremely proud moment.

Presenting at the APS PharmSci conference

I can’t recommend doing a placement enough, irrespective of if it involves lab work, office work or a combination of the two, it really is a fantastic and formative experience. Not only do you get paid (usually quite well!) for a year, but you also learn and are exposed to so many new things which could eventually be what you decide to do when you leave university.

If you are in two minds over doing a placement or not, take this as a sign to go for it!

You won’t regret it!

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A Placement Year at GSK – Sequencing Genomes

By: Natalie Taylor – BSc Biomedical Sciences

Edited by: Laila Hussain

Second year of uni rolled around, and I realised I hardly had any lab experience (thanks COVID). This was a dilemma I attempted to remedy by applying for a placement year. I never considered I’d be accepted by such a prestigious company as GSK. Even less did I consider I would be working in a field as interesting as genetics. The application stress paid off! I was placed in the Discovery Genomics department working on single cell RNA sequencing. This basically means reading genes that are currently ‘switched on’ (expressed). Knowing this information is crucial for understanding disease, as we can quantify which genes were switched on/off in disease states compared to healthy states. With this information we can then get an idea of the genes function and thus, what therapeutic action to take. 

My Application Journey – It’s ok not to know everything!

When I say I was almost 100% sure I failed my interview I was not joking. GSK’s interview stage was split into two sections. One half was situational questions such as “tell us a time you faced a challenge” etc. The other was technical questions. This was where I flopped. I didn’t know the answer to any of the questions! However, I discovered the point of these questions was not only to test your scientific knowledge, this can be taught, but to also see how you manage uncertainty and to test your resilience. It was a daunting experience, but thanks to the kind interviewers and some persistence I managed to give all the answers a go. This was what the interviewers were looking for!

Two days later I received a call from one of the interviewers offering me the placement!

My-day-to-day 

As I mentioned above, I’m working on sequencing (or reading) the genes of individual cells. This means I’m in the lab a lot! I get to work on many different diseases and cell types, which all involve working with very small volumes. Attention to detail is paramount – something I’ve had to learn the hard way! 

A visual example of the types of tubes and volumes we typically work with in RNA sequencing- sometimes even smaller! Image from: unsplash

I also get to use lots of very cool – and very expensive – machines. The machine pictured below on the left is what sequences RNA and the one to the right is a robot that can do a big portion of the lab work involved with preparing the RNA for sequencing for you. It has some limitations though, so I mostly performed my experiments manually by hand. 

Illumina Sequencer (Left) & Chromium Connect (Right): Photos from 10x Genomics and Illumina

After about three months of training, I started planning and carrying out my own experiments independently. I got the chance to sequence many different immune cells, including T cells and macrophages as part of active experiments in the search for potential cancer therapeutics. Apart from single cell RNA sequencing, I’ve also been fortunate to perform a CRISPR knock out experiment on B cells whilst using cutting-edge automation platforms such as the Dragonfly and Bravo.  

On a typical day, my experiments take around 6 hours to reach a safe stopping point. Luckily, I’m able to get a few breaks in when my samples are incubating. During these breaks, I take full advantage of all of the green space at GSK Stevenage. It’s quite normal for employees to go on regular walks around the site – breaks are very encouraged which is nice!

GSK Campus and Labs in Stevenage: Photos from GSK’s Website

Outside of lab work, I’ve also gotten involved with the wider community at GSK by being a part of a committee for students called IP Unite and an employee resource group called Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI). My role in these groups varies, typically I will plan and host events aimed to foster new relationships and grow networks. One of the scariest events I held was a PhD information event with IP Unite that involved me speaking in front of 100 people in a lecture theatre – luckily I was only introducing speakers and closing the event – still, it was very outside of my comfort zone! In general, I find that the placement pushes me outside of my comfort zone, but that’s what yields the most growth so I know it’s super beneficial. 

Overall, the placement has been the best experience, better than I expected! I have grown so much as a scientist and a person. I feel much more prepared for life after uni. For now though, I’m just ready to tackle final year!

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Why Can’t Science be Funny?

By Emily Longman, BSc Biochemistry

Edited by Maddie Wildridge

Tom and Jerry Reading – if only scientific journals were as fun!

I know I’m not just speaking for myself when I say if they wrote academic papers the same way they wrote Tom and Jerry cartoons, I’d be reading them a lot more! So why don’t they? 

There are 3 reasons: 

  1. They want to avoid confusion 

The aim of academic writing is to convey a complex idea with concision and without confusion to fellow academics. By adding quips or breaking free from the pretty rigid model of academic papers, one risks readers getting distracted, and missing the point of the paper.  

  1. They don’t want to “dumb it down” 

A lot of the time academics associate digestibility and informality with having to “dumb something down” which certainly goes against the aim of academic writing for likeminded academic readers. 

  1. The fear of peer reviews 

Although it sounds shallow, it’s especially important that those reading your paper like it, as the pillars of academic publishing are peer reviews. A paper won’t make it anywhere near my screen if the peer reviews frown upon it. So many writers bow down to the peer review system for approval in the name of their paper’s progression.  

Peer Review Panel – I imagine many people have different opinions on scientific articles.

Considering this, it’s true that breaking a tradition by cracking a joke is a risk that might not pay off… 

But I’m not asking for an hour long stand-up gig about RNA! Merely a funny title, a bit of intentional alliteration perhaps? Just some variation from the (although novel and fascinating) DULL papers we students have to read. 

I’ve found a few papers that have done just that, and you tell me if these would catch your eye: 

These had me giggling! (You can never go wrong with a Barbie reference.)  

My housemates and I were laughing at these titles last night, and it made us realise how easy it is to get bogged down by the weight of studying a science degree, or working a science-based job. Science is serious for good reason, we’re often discussing diseases affecting thousands of lives, but it’s important to show a balance. I chose a Biochemistry degree because I had FUN in labs at school, not because I wanted to be serious and intellectual all the time.  

I’m a big fan of the Science journal, not just for the published papers, but for their science humour column, and their blogs. The informality is inclusive and far less intimidating than the impenetrable, science jargon stuffed papers. I strongly believe that a bit of humour goes a long way in academic publishing becoming unique and approachable without sacrificing complexity and content.  

If you’re also the type of person to rather read a blog than a paper, or if you’re interested in learning some more creative skills to use for bioscience careers outside the lab, then you might enjoy the science communication module Newcastle provides that sparked me writing this article in the first place! 

Check out the module here! 

Author: Emily Longman

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Overview of my GSK placement year

By Lauren Wheeler, Stage 3 Biomedical Sciences

During my placement, I worked at the GSK R&D site in Stevenage as a placement student within the SPMB department (Screening, Profiling and Mechanistic Biology). SPMB works on assay development, compound profiling and mechanism of action studies.

My role involved automating a 3D hepatotoxicity assay by creating a model to validate a fully integrated platform in order to move the manual assay onto the platform, as well as running a biweekly safety screening assay.

When starting my labwork, I was supervised but I was allowed to complete the work myself which I found very beneficial as it allowed me to make mistakes which I could learn from. I found myself able to start completing my own experiments independently a lot faster than I expected to. Everyone in the lab was also very helpful and was always willing to help or answer any questions when I got stuck.

During my time at GSK, I also got to take part in many other activities alongside my project work which allowed me to gain and improve skills, to network and improve relationships with other IPs (industrial placement students) as well as other GSK employees.

Myself and some other committee members at the International Women’s Day selfie corner – names of people from left to right: Francesca Dale, Lauren Wheeler, Lydia Haines, Neve Richardson

I became a committee member of both the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) and the Stevenage hub committee. With both, I worked with other IPs and members of the committee to organise events such as International Women’s Day and the employee appreciation cookie post.

I was head of logistics for International Women’s Day in which I held key responsibilities in organising attendance numbers, booking catering, setting up market stalls with other employee resource groups at GSK and setting up of the lecture theatre for the event. The event included 2 talks and a panel which were all very insightful and turned out to be a great success with many attendees. I was also rewarded a recognition award (R&R) for my contribution.

I also worked with another IP to organise the employee appreciation cookie post in which GSK employees could donate £2 to save the children which would allow them to send a cookie along with a message to another GSK employee. These were delivered by hand by us, so it was really nice to see how happy and thankful people were when receiving a cookie.

Basket of cookies labelled for each person ready to be delivered

I took part in the Tough Mudder challenge in May 2023 with around 30 other GSK employees in which we raised £350 each and completed a 15km run with 30 obstacles. This was a difficult challenge however we stuck together as a team throughout the course, and it felt like a big achievement once we completed it.

Myself and other GSK employees after finishing the Tough Mudder – names of people from left to right: Ross Biddulph, Samuel Pearson, Jake Brett, Lydia Haines, Lauren Wheeler, Francesca Dale, Neve Richardson, Rebecca Glenny

I was also a part of a netball team at GSK where we trained once a week on a Wednesday, it was a mixed team with members from across the GSK Stevenage site. We took part in a match against the Ware site, which we won as well as a charity tournament, all of which were great experiences to take part in.

During this year, I have also had the chance to take part in IP collaboration events. I attended an IP organised presentation session every 2 weeks in which IPs across different departments presented about their projects as well as discussing any issues they had been having. This was a good opportunity to network and learn more about other departments work.

Myself and some other IPs attending an IP collaboration presentation session – names of people from left to right: Neve Richardson, Lauren Wheeler, Francesca Dale

We also had a lab tour exchange with the Ware site in which I helped in touring the IPs around the labs I worked in as well as going to the Ware site for a tour. It was insightful to see the later stages of the drug development process.

Overall, this placement year has been an invaluable experience in which I have been able to learn and experience far more than I could have expected when I first joined. I have gained many new skills and have really increased my confidence. I’d highly recommend a placement at GSK! Check out their Early Career talent site here for more information.

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From One First Year Student to The Next

By: Caroline Elaine

I’ll give you a little teaser of your first year at Newcastle University if you’re planning to study at BNS school.

When I was giving the offer holders’ students a tour of the school, I noticed that some of the questions they asked were quite similar. For example, how are the lectures, what modules are we studying, and so on.

Therefore, I’ll go over some of the things I believe you should all know. Hopefully, after reading this, you have a better idea of how your first year of university will go. Okay, let’s get started! 

Continue reading “From One First Year Student to The Next”
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From Tehran to Newcastle

By: Shayan Safaei

I would like to start this by emphasising that I was not paid by Newcastle University to shower them with compliments here. This is me genuinely sharing my experience of studying the BSc Biomedical Genetics (Hons) at Newcastle as an international student.

I chose Newcastle as it was the best affordable university/city to study medical genetics with the centre for life and northern genetics hub located there, and I had been fascinated by some of their published research. On my first visit to the city, I found Newcastle very green, friendly, and peaceful. I was pleasantly surprised by how nice ‘Geordies’ were, and I am proud to call myself an ‘honorary Geordie’ now as a graduate.

A view of Kings Gate, photo by me. ~2016
Continue reading “From Tehran to Newcastle”