BSc (Hons) Pharmacology 1995 From Aberdeen to Chief Scientific Officer
Your Time at Aberdeen
Why did you choose to study at Aberdeen? I was attracted to the University because the Pharmacology course contained toxicology modules but also the quality of the research conducted.
Why did you choose your particular course? Ever since I was at primary school, I knew I wanted to study biology. However, I also have a very strong drive for learning. Discovering drugs seemed to me to combine both these elements and I certainly was not disappointed!
What did you most enjoy about your time at Aberdeen? Did you have any particularly memorable student experiences? My most memorable student experience was our visit to the "Burn" in April 1995. This was a short residential trip where we presented our honours project to our peers and were given "constructive" feedback by our lecturers. It was also a time I remember engaging socially with the lecturers and, of course, staying in dorm-style rooms with your friends is never a dull experience!
If you were involved in any clubs and societies as a student, what did you enjoy most about them and what benefit do you think they have for students? I was involved in the Lifesaving Club. As a strong swimmer who wanted to give back and not swim competitively, I gained my lifesaving medals and was an active member of the Club. I believe that joining a club introduces you to people you might not otherwise meet, and it also provides a sense of community, strengthening the bond with the University.
Did you hold any student leadership roles, e.g. Class Rep, Club Treasurer, Social Convenor? I supported the annual bursary competition that was held in the Easter holidays in Dunbar Hall. The pinnacle of my involvement here was being Head Liaison student when I was in my third year.
If talking to a group of prospective students, what advice would you give them to help them make the most of their time at the University of Aberdeen? Say yes to everything! Be open to new experiences! Live in the halls of residence to make a smooth transition from living at home to independent living. Try the sherry in the formal dinners and the friends you meet will be friends for life.
Your Time After Aberdeen
What was the title of your first job after graduating from Aberdeen? Senior Scientist
What did your first role involve? My first role was within the respiratory and inflammation therapy area where we optimised new chemical entities for efficacy.
Who was your first employer? AstraZeneca
What is your current job title? Chief Scientific Officer
Who is your current employer? Emulate Inc.
What is your current role? I oversee Research and Development of new organ-chip models and supporting biology for new chip consumables. I also lead a small team that provides fee-for-service studies.
What is your current location? Cambridge, UK
Please briefly describe the journey from your first job after graduating to where you are now I spent just over 20 years at AstraZeneca, initially working to optimise drug efficacy and then latterly working in the drug safety organisation. I became very passionate about the lack of translatability of preclinical data into clinical outcome which led me to discover microphysiological systems or organs-on-a-chip. Working at the interface of engineering and biology, cells cultured in a microphyisological systems have a "home away from home" due to the creation of in vivo like microenvironments. The thesis is that cells placed in a familiar environment will function like those in the body thus generating data of a higher translational value. I took this idea to the innovation committee at AstraZeneca and got the support to place a post-doc in Harvard's Wyss Institute. Around the same time, I led a strategic initiative for the Executive Vice President of Innovative Medicines to define how AstraZeneca could leverage the potential of these systems in accelerating drug discovery and increase the probability of clinical success while reducing reliance on animal testing. Prior to leaving AstraZenca, I had established an industry-leading group focussed on microphyisological systems. I moved to Emulate, a company that was spun out of Harvard’s Wyss Institute, so that I could experience first-hand the model development process and design products that are being used in all of the top pharmaceutical companies today.
Was your degree at Aberdeen essential for getting to where you are now? If so, in what way? My Pharmacology degree gave me the perfect foundation to study drug action in practice during my PhD and ultimately helped me transition into Pharma. A sound knowledge of what goes into drug discovery and therefore how to improve success of clinical candidates led me to where I am now.
One Top Tip
Please share your one top tip that you think is most important for our current students or recent graduates that will help them when starting out on their career paths. My top tip would be to build a strong network and lean in for advice and support at every opportunity.
