SciMed team member since 2024

What's your specialist subject?

After my undergraduate, I initially worked in healthcare with a role in breast cancer and diabetes as a research technician. These roles inspired me to further my professional development, and I completed a PhD in the genomics and molecular biology of pregnancy and labour with a focus on specialised immunology. My postdoctoral work further solidified my skills in human health on organ specific immunology and chronic inflammation in the context of respiration. During the pandemic I also worked on immunological responses of COVID-19. In addition to my academic research, my professional experience spans a variety of skills including surgical instrumentation, data analysis, database management, health and safety documentation, and legislative research regulations. 

How did you get into the healthcare technology industry?

I was looking at how my skills could be transferred into other fields and had a chance introduction with Alastair [Selby, SciMed’s MD] and had a conversation about opportunities here. I was very interested, but it was a couple of years later when I reapproached the company and it quickly turned out to be a great match for my skills and interests. My expertise in data analysis tools and database management and understanding in regulatory requirements in biomedical research has made health technology and post-market surveillance a fulfilling extension of my work. 

What do you like most about working about working at SciMed?

I enjoy being involved in the development of innovative medical devices, as it allows me to explore and engage with a variety of fields. Each project presents the opportunity to dive into diverse areas of science, technology, and healthcare. But what I appreciate about working at SciMed Consultancy is the exceptional blend of professionalism and a welcoming environment. My colleagues are truly lovely, it is a positive and productive place to work.

What challenges do you think the healthcare technology industry face, and how would your expertise deal with that?

In recent years, the medical device industry has faced a significant shift due to regulatory and political challenges and these have had a direct impact on compliance, and market access. There is more stringency in evaluations, surveillance, and traceability. In addition to regulatory shifts, the industry has been impacted by political challenges, particularly with Brexit and international geopolitical tensions, including trade wars and sanctions. These have disrupted global supply chains and there are multifaceted processes under different regulations for existing products to navigate.

If you could have a scientist for dinner (past or present), who would it be and why?

It would be so hard to choose only one. There are so many who have inspired and fascinated me and I am naming a top three!

Dr Jane Goodall, I saw her deliver a lecture while I was still an undergraduate and I was taken aback by her quirky and inspiring adoration for her work in conservation and animal rights. She was clearly passionate yet so modest, especially for the kind of outreach she has achieved. She was quite extraordinary yet so approachable. 

Professor Tan yu-you was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2015 for the anti-malarial treatment artemisinin. It was found from scouring and testing plants sourced from historical medical texts of herbal remedies from ancient China. The challenges  and the scepticism they faced before successful clinical trials and world-wide implementation fascinates me. 

I would also say Dr John Barry, who was a military surgeon in the mid-18th century with accomplishments in obstetrics, bettering public healthcare and education in low socio-economic populations. He was one of the first surgeons to perform a caesarean section with survival of both mother and baby which was a remarkable achievement at the time. On his death, Dr Barry was actually revealed to be a woman. Not a lot is known about Dr Barry before their career in medicine.