Can you describe your educational background and what initially drew you to a career in quality control?
I hold a degree in Forensic Science with a Chemistry focus and was always drawn by the combination of science and law, particularly around drug management and toxicology. During the course I completed a year in Industry with a University in the Netherlands as well, which involved working on using my analytical chemistry knowledge and applying it to real life situations, collaborating with the local police and the hospital there. Once I graduated, I was drawn more towards drug development rather than drug enforcement and the blend of science, precision and ways of maintaining product safety within the Pharmaceutical industry.
Tell us about your career background and current role.
I started my career as a laboratory technician for a food chemistry company which developed my analytical and statistical skills, before gaining experience in auditing food companies when moving to Auckland and learning to apply legislation to real life applications. Once I returned from New Zealand, I became a QC Scientist for Quotient sciences and worked my way through the levels to Senior II Scientist. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to move to Upperton 2.5 years ago as a Senior Scientist, just as the company was growing and planning to expand to Tent Gateway and have been involved in the impressive wave of growth ever since. After 8 months in the role, I was promoted to QC Manager which has provided me with a chance to improve my decision making and leadership skills.
Can you describe a typical day in your role at Upperton, highlighting your main responsibilities?
My role is multifaceted and entails many aspects of the QC laboratory- no day is the same! However, my main responsibilities can be separated into two parts:
The first part is the management of the laboratory. I manage a team of dedicated QC Scientists, but it also entails regular collaboration with many departments such as Engineering and Quality Assurance, in order to make sure the laboratory continues to achieve GMP standards at all times. This is through the introduction and maintenance of equipment and quality systems such as taking part in audits, laboratory investigations, CAPA/change control implementation and risk assessments.
The second part includes project management within QC once a study reaches GMP, and involves regular collaboration with the project managers, analytical development, R&D and production to make sure studies run smoothly and on time. I attend calls with clients to help develop their technical and clinical stability programmes, usually updating them on the testing that is being conducted once their programmes have started through data cards and slides.
What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of your role?
I enjoy the continuous improvement projects that I am currently involved with which are all aimed to improve the day-to-day efficiency and ease of the QC team as a whole. These vary greatly in size, from helping analysts improve logbooks, to completely overhauling an entire procedure that has always been very cumbersome. Such projects I’m involved with include: the design and implementation of worksheets, the procedure and documentation surrounding stability programmes, and redesigning and adapting the laboratory investigation reports.
What are the biggest challenges that you face in your role?
One of the biggest challenges I face is managing resource/equipment constraints, balancing workload across the department, and ensuring that tight deadlines are met without compromising on quality. Also, managing cross-functional teams and ensuring seamless collaboration in order to ensure our laboratory is kept to GMP standards, particularly now we have recently moved into a brand new, much larger laboratory.
What advice would you give to someone looking to develop expertise in your field?
Start by gaining a solid understanding of the scientific principles behind drug development, analytical chemistry, and how quality control and legislation needs to be applied to them and why. Hands on experience in analytical chemistry, particularly in a GMP environment is crucial. Being detail orientated, adaptable and well informed about updates to legislation and industry trends is also important.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to the launch of several new initiatives at Trent Gateway this year such as the introduction of a sterile manufacturing facility and the testing that will entail. This gives the opportunity for the QC team to develop and learn new things, as well as give members of the team a chance to become an expert in the field. I also look forward to expanding our new QC laboratory, with more equipment and team members.
Can you describe Upperton in a few words?
Fast-paced, dynamic, quality focused, continuous improvement.
Download our brochure
If you’re looking to work with a CDMO that can support your product from preclinical development to market, then we’re here to help.
