Inspiring Inclusion – International Women’s Day – 8 March 2024

What do you do?

I am Workstream Leader for native Human derived antigens that we purify at Arotec Diagnostics Ltd.  I manage a team of 8 alongside two other workstreams (Animal Derived and Recombinant Antigens).  We prepare highly purified proteins that our customers use in diagnosing specific autoimmune diseases.

What challenges does the job present to you?

Every protein behaves differently, so it is important to recognise the particularities of each one and be mindful of anything that may cause the protein to become unstable or degrade.

We want the customer to have consistent product, so its important that the quality is maintained throughout the manufacturing process.   This is dependant on our source material, the equipment that we use, and the people we employ to carry out the purification process.

How come your interest in the field of antigens? 

I have always enjoyed working in fields that focus on health and well-being, and this position allows me indirectly assist with helping people get a diagnosis, which hopefully will lead to a more effective management system for their condition and a better quality of life.

As leader of a team of Production Scientists, at Arotec Diagnostics you must be well organised?  

It is critical that we are well organised; we have a Production schedule that is based on manufacturing particular proteins to meet customers needs when they require it;  we also need to ensure we have the adequate resources (equipment and staff).

It can be a bit like playing Tetris at times! I find keeping routines helpful both within the workplace and homelife as a way to stay on top of things.

What are developments in this field that you are observing? 

And how do they impact society?  

With autoimmune disease, autoantibodies are produced by the immune system to one or more of an individual’s own proteins, essentially turning the immune system on itself.  Incidences of autoimmune diseases have been steadily increasing for the past several years, due to a range of factors such as the environment, stress, viral challenges;  sometimes people suffer for many years before getting a diagnosis.

Autoantibodies can often be detected years before physical symptoms are evident;  if we are able to keep our customers well stocked, it ultimately helps to diagnose more people, hopefully sooner.

New diseases are continually being identified, and its important that we keep developing new and useful antigens to reach more people.

International Women’s Day is here. Does it have special meaning for you?

I am encouraged that there is so much more information around the changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause, and that it is not as hidden away as it was for our mothers and grandmothers, the majority of whom suffered through this time of life silently.

Who or what inspires you?

Amanda Palmer – Singer, songwriter, artist – I really admire her creativity, honesty, and her vulnerability. I also love to travel and experience other ways of life;  it helps to have an adventure to plan, big or small and have that to look forward to.

Favourite quote?

‘Calm blue ocean’ -Miss Hoover, The Simpsons.   This always helps to calm me down when things start to get hectic.

Last book read?

Frida: Style Icon.  Frida Kahlo was such a colourful person, and I admire how she used her personal style to express herself.  I really enjoy biographies and autobiographies, learning about what drives inspiring people.

If not this field, what other career might have you chosen?

Archaeologist – I was a big fan of Indiana Jones growing up.