What excites you about your field of work?
Feeling that you are making a difference by supporting the research and development of pharmaceuticals that can improve a person’s quality of life. For example, I feel so proud when there is a new drug on the market that is improving the treatment of patients, and without the contribution of our ACM Bioanalytical Services team the drug would have never been approved for use.
Which professional achievements are you most proud of?
During my PhD, I used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to discover that white blood cells produced a new inflammatory cytokine (LTB4) that attracted other white blood cells when in the presence of a foreign body. This novel discovery was published in Nature and initiated new approaches to the treatment of a whole host of inflammatory diseases, many of which are still in use today – including some that have had an impact on how providers care for patients with COVID-19.
Whilst I was chairman of the British Mass Spectrometry Society, I presented the Aston Medal to Professor John F. J. Todd at the 17th IMSC meeting in Prague, August 2006.
In 1996, I created ABS Laboratories, which is now ACM Global Laboratories Bioanalytical Services, as a specialised service for complex assay method development and validation for the quantification of drugs, metabolites and biomarkers in biological samples. ACM shares our dedication to producing sound scientific strategies and data to inform preclinical and clinical trial programmes.
What have been the greatest challenges to overcome in your career?
Continuing to work whilst being mum to three boys and when being treated for breast cancer whilst running a company. The longest time off work I have had was six weeks around the birth of my first son. I thrive on challenges and I could not have done it without the support of family, superiors and peers at work and professional childcare.
What are your hopes for the future?
That I can share a long, happy and healthy retirement with my husband and watch my boys grow up to be happy and healthy and find careers that they enjoy.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
If you are unhappy, have the strength to change rather than trying to convince yourself that things will improve. A year is not a long period of time. Concentrate on short-term challenges and goals rather than worrying about a long-term plan.
