Prepare for industry or academia
I am an alum of the University of Greenwich who graduated from BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences in July 2015. My experience as a student prepared me so well for my future studies and career within the field. Close contact with my lecturers supported the development of my skills and knowledge throughout my studies. The essential skills needed to write a lab book to GLP standards were developed at Greenwich and I have used these throughout my career in both industry and academia!
After I graduated, I worked with Professor Joshua Boateng over the summer of 2015 to publish my first research article. He was my supervisor and had been supporting me with my applications for PhD programmes. That summer I managed to secure a fully funded PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at another university, and I submitted my final thesis in January 2019. In August 2019 I started working for Thornton & Ross as a Development Scientist and in 2021, after the birth of my third child, I decided to return to academia. I always wanted to teach and carry out independent research, hence academia has always been my top career goal, and after working as a Postdoctoral Researcher elsewhere, I accepted a permanent role as a Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Greenwich, back where it all started for me!
A University that champions inclusivity
My degree was a stepping stone that has given me the confidence and skills that I could build upon to become a mentor and researcher. I finally achieved my main career goal, which is a dream come true.
It is challenging to be a new academic, however the support of my colleagues, who have once been my lecturers, has been invaluable since I started. I believe that the cultural diversity at Greenwich is beautiful – here, students from around the world are encouraged to learn and develop skills that prepares them for their future careers. The University promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion, which brings a sense of belonging. Our students are working closely with their lecturers who are very supportive and approachable.
Achieve your career goals
The subject of pharmaceutical sciences focuses on the formulation and characterisation of current and future drug therapies and medicinal products. My subject area particularly focuses on the formulation and characterisation of dosage forms intended for skin and oral drug delivery, such as creams, nanoemulsions, sunscreens, dispersions, tablets, capsules, and others. In the laboratory we use different blends of materials and techniques to prepare the formulations that we further test in ‘vitro’ using varied instrumentation and sometimes tissue such as skin. My current role at the University sees me supervising many students, leading two modules, teaching lectures and labs, marking, applying for funding for research projects, working on publishing research articles and carrying out research.
What I find to be the most empowering in my role is the fact that I can make important contributions to the field of research and innovation as a woman in science.
I have always been interested in science, biology, and chemistry. However, I can say that my career path chose me because I never imagined having such an awesome job. As Marie Curie once said: “There is nothing more wonderful than being a scientist, nowhere I would rather be than in my lab, staining up my clothes and getting paid to play.”
