Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
Both of my parents came to the UK to escape war in Cyprus in the 70’s. Due to the disruption they both faced, their studies were cut short and they had to start work at a young age. Growing up, my parents promoted the importance of education and higher education. Even though my dad did not get to study himself, he enjoyed teaching himself the sciences and that exposure as a child is how my enjoyment for science was formed.
My plan from a young age was to be a scientific researcher; I have a BSc in Biochemistry and an MSc in Cancer Therapeutics. While trying to start my career in research, I took what I thought would be an interim role as a teaching technician. Instead, this was actually the start of my career. When I started my role as a Junior Teaching Technician at King’s in 2012, I had no idea what the role involved and, due to lack of visibility, this still seems to be the case a decade later. The ultimate role of a Teaching Technician is the delivery of practical teaching - in reality, this involves a lot more than just aliquoting, or putting out of equipment. Over the past decade, I have been involved in method development, outreach work, delivering workshops to students and staff and designing lab spaces/facilities.
Currently I am the Technical Manager for the Teaching Labs on Guy’s campus, where I oversee the running of the labs. Not as exotic as physically being in the teaching labs, but I am still supporting the practical teaching of students at some level which is my passion, or at least my passion at work.
Looking back, did the pandemic and resulting lockdowns teach you anything you’re willing to share?
The importance of family. I have always been close to my family but not being able to see them at will really made me appreciate them even more. Often people talk about friends being their family, but for me my family are my friends.
What do you think people in the School would find most surprising about you?
I have a form of hypermobility disorder which affects most of my joints. Getting into weird positions has always shocked/humoured family and friends. However, as I reached my 30’s, this has caused me many health issues such as torn ligaments and carpel tunnel syndrome.
Also, I am a Whovian! Don’t blink!
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Still committed to supporting practical teaching on some level and supporting the visibility of Technicians.
Who inspires you most and why?
My husband. We have been friends since we were in school and seeing him grow has been an honour. He is hard working, kind and a loving human. People often gravitate towards him. Seeing how he carries himself makes me want to be a better person.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Birthing and raising my children are my biggest accomplishment (an ongoing accomplishment!) as juggling family life and full-time work is such a huge task. I am in survival mode most of the time!
What is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
The abundance of opportunities here at King’s is my favourite thing. Opportunities not just to further/enhance your career, but to experience events that I may not have had a chance to if I were working elsewhere. For example, I have attended talks by Nobel Prize winners, glass making workshops, amazing workshops in the DR (led by the DR technicians, thank you Kirsty, Doug, Mark and Nicola) and much more.
Most recently, I was also given the time and opportunity to complete The Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership. The programme is great at given women skills and confidence in progressing their career and giving female technicians visibility.
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite season: Summer
Favourite London restaurant: Rasa (a quaint little Malaysian restaurant I stumbled across one day)
Favourite cuisine: Pakistani
Netflix recommendation: The Last Kingdom
Coffee order: Decaf Latte
Most-used emoji: 😬