TELL US HOW YOU FIRST BECAME AN APPRENTICE:
I started a Level 5 Technician Scientist apprenticeship in 2018 and have just completed my Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree-Apprenticeship this year. I am also due to start a Level 7 Research Scientist Degree Apprenticeship in September of this year – six years and counting!
In this time I have moved around all the major departments at Autolus Therapeutics Ltd, including: production, quality assurance, microbiology and quality control This has given me all round experience, skills and knowledge of the process in how CAR T Cell therapies are made.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT APPRENTICESHIP ROLE:
I am currently within the microbiology team. We typically perform testing of the cleanroom environments to ensure cleanliness and conduct patient safety testing prior to release. Tests include sterility, environmental monitoring, gram staining, growth identification, endotoxin testing, mycoplasma testing, and performing media/broth and agar plate reads.
TELL US WHY YOU WANTED TO BECOME AN APPRENTICE AMBASSADOR:
I have done plenty of outreach to local schools to talk about apprenticeships. I have also done online webinars and podcasts which can be found on Youtube and Spotify. My most notable work is the London Science museum Technicians ‘We Make a Difference Gallery’ where we were awarded The Hawksbee Award. I have also worked alongside the BBC with their bitesize tour and web pages and wanted to extend this advocacy through the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.
