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Name: Chibby Ebhogiaye ( she/her) Job title: Managing Director, Clinical Solutions and Interim Head of International Inclusion and Health Equity at Real Chemistry (Global Health Innovation Company) A levels / equivalent :Biology, Chemistry, Spanish Graduate degrees: Biochemistry and Chemistry Dual Honours Favourite science fact : There is enough DNA in the average person’s body to stretch from the sun to Pluto and back — 17 times Journey in three words: 1. Intentional, 2. Determined, 3. Agile Briefly describe your current role I am a strategic leader and subject matter expert for Clinical Trial and Health Equity related solutions. I lead the teams that deliver Clinical Trial and/or Health Equity solutions to our clients (biopharmaceutical companies) and orchestrate/oversee the progress of implemented solutions. I’m also a key member of cross-functional client leadership teams. I provide guidance, research, problem solving, analysis and strategy on Clinical Trial and Health Equity solutions based on client priorities and internal capabilities. I also serve as a Business Owner for design of solutions, and I manage other business owners in workstreams, to oversee a full suite of services. I’m accountable to my manager for the continued growth of solutions in expansion of offerings or creation of new offerings depending on the industry landscape and analysis of client pain points. I am an industry Thought Leader on Clinical Trial and Health Equity related topics. What motivated you to pursue a career in science? I have always enjoyed science and intellectual challenges of research and analysis, right from early school years. I also enjoyed the fact that science is global, it’s a global language which can essentially take you anywhere. Lastly and probably the most relevant motivation for my career path, is that there is no health without science, and I had a fascination with how health evolves as science and technology evolves. It’s integral to our daily lives. Although I studied Biochemistry and Chemistry, during my studies I definitely enjoyed the Biomedical Science and Medicinal Chemistry modules the most. I had the most passion and excitement for modules that explored diseases, medicines, bodily mechanisms and formulae and other health-related aspects of science. You decided not to pursue academic research. How did you find the world of clinical operations? As much as I loved studying biomedical and health related sciences the most, I passionately disliked the labs. I knew I needed a career that allowed me to interact with people as I am definitely a people person and a collaborator, I knew I wanted to be in job that was integral if not related to health and health research,and finally I knew I wanted to be in a field where there were a variety of options for career progression (and of course a job that paid well). I didn’t know much about pharmaceutical research at university. In fact the extent of my knowledge was laboratory testing on animals. I managed to secure a short internship at a Global Pharmaceutical company the summer after my second year at University in Clinical Operations and I loved it. I loved the intersection of science and business management. I discovered the opportunity to be in a world where you are still integral to health research and bringing novel treatments working in cross-functional collaborative teams, while developing business leadership skills and most importantly to me at the time, I would never have to enter a lab. How did you go about finding your internship and what advice would you give young graduates in that sense? Did you do an internship because it was just the thing to do or was it a thought our decision? I mentioned pharmaceutical research to my mum when she was pressuring me about what I was going to do after university, and so she asked within her network what I could do. Neither my mum or I knew it would turn out to be so pivotal. I always advise people to seek these opportunities and see what support their university can offer to help them get a foot in the door (internships, work experience and placement years). I also encourage people to just message people on LinkedIn and build a network. People will always know people, who can help connect you with the right people or show you where to apply. Lastly lots of the larger pharmaceutical companies are seeking ways to help students and provide schemes - I encourage people to research that too. Why was doing an internship important for you and how has it helped steer your career journey? For me, the internship was critical as it allowed me to discover a world beyond the bench when it came to science. I honestly had no clue what I was going to do after my degree, and I knew that I didn’t want to apply to medicine or dentistry. The internship also prompted me to research Pharmaceutical Research and Development roles beyond Clinical Operations as I engaged with different stakeholders. What do you enjoy the most about your role and what are some of the harder truths about the role? The most enjoyable part of my current role is being client-facing, I get exposure to a broad spectrum of clinical operations activity happening in different companies from smaller biotechs to big pharma, and across all therapy areas too. Working with different companies to formulate innovative solutions and solve problems puts me at the centre of innovation and allows me at the forefront of industry trends, which allows me to influence how these companies operate but also learn about the inner workings of different biopharmaceutical companies. The harder truth about my role is that while progressing healthcare is exciting, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry can often be ‘behind-the-times’ which is mostly due to the industry being so tightly regulated (with good reason). So sometimes I have to remind myself to balance my thirst for innovation with pragmatism, and I also have to be patient about realising change, especially when we get pushback from clients. Which direct and transferable skills have you used from your degree throughout your career journey? Data analysis and critical thinking skills. Also my understanding of scientific terms and processes helps me to understand clinical study protocols and procedures with ease. Where do you see yourself in 5 years ? Being at the forefront of leading and driving phenomenal industry transformation with innovative solutions (tech and data driven) and a recognised influential leader in Clinical R&D and Health Equity Solutions. Continued senior leadership roles. I am very agile as I navigate my career, I like to challenge myself and learn as I go, so I cannot say I will be doing ‘X’ role with ‘X’ title, but I know I follow the path of innovation and leadership. You highlight the importance of mentorship and support. How have mentors supported you and how does someone even get started? If it wasn’t for the mentors I’ve met along the way, I know I would not be where I am today. As a Black woman in a corporate setting, I’ve had to navigate barriers related to my race and gender every step of the way. Support from people who have seen me, and given me their time and energy to help me work out where to go next, helping me to make connections and grow my network, advice on how to acquire certain skills, and guidance on how to elevate myself and realise my full potential, as well as just a space to just vent and be completely honest as and when I need to, all of the this has helped me to overcome challenges or approach them appropriately. I do accredit my mentors for my acceleration in my career. It’s why I also am a mentor now and love giving my time to mentor people who are just starting or early on in their career. Outside science how would you describe yourself Outside of science I am a sociable and outgoing person who enjoys networking and meeting new people but would describe myself as an ambivert. I’m also a natural leader who enjoys coaching and mentoring people. I like learning new things and I’m an analytical thinker - I always have a lot of questions about everything! How do you feel careers in your field have evolved / where are they heading to? Careers in my field are always diversifying. Pharmaceutical Research and Development continues to expand which means that there is literally something for everyone, and you really can follow your passion. Now more than ever, I’m seeing people leave functional disciplines for an entirely new adventure. People will work in the Clinical Operations for years and then move into R&D tech to work on clinical technologies to support the Clinical Operations businesses. Healthcare data and tech companies are change agents, so people from life science disciplines are stepping into data and tech roles and thriving. Focus on Clinical trial diversity and health equity has driven many organisations to create teams that focus on this work, so if your passion is to ensure equitable healthcare for all, there’s something for you too. I have friends and colleagues that have left clinical and gone to work in the commercial setting on branded products. In the past, I think people used to stick to their disciplines a lot more, but now there’s such an appetite and acceptance for people trying anything and everything. "As a young and naive graduate, I had pound signs in my eyes when I saw what a career that linked science and business management had to offer. " When considering your career path, how much has your potential salary affected your decision? I am completely honest, at the start of my career potential salary was a significant driver for my decision to go down the Clinical Operations route. As a young and naive graduate, I had pound signs in my eyes when I saw what a career that linked science and business management had to offer. However, as I have taken on more senior roles I evaluate multiple components to determine my decision. I put a lot of emphasis on work-life balance, company culture and values, company benefits (not just financial related ones, but things they offer to their employees for their well-being). For example, during the pandemic I noticed a lot of companies started offering discounts, or 6 to 8 free sessions of mental health services and I thought that was incredible. I also am now quite confident about asking about the diversity of their staff and support available for employees from diverse backgrounds. Of course, salary is still important. I’m intentional with calculating that my remuneration is reflective of my level of seniority, what I am expected to deliver, and how I value my skills and expertise, in coordination with what the market is saying for similar positions. What advice would you tell your younger self ? To my younger self whose Nigerian parents really wanted me to study medicine and be a doctor, and to my university self who was really anxious about what to do next, I’d advise them to base your career research on your interests, passions and what you’re good at. Seek mentorship early, create a Linkedin early and start following and engaging with content that interests you, which will lead you to making connections with the right people. Also, do not limit yourself. You can connect with Chibby on different platforms Instagram @tocareistocure LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chibby-ebhogiaye-15a6b057/

· Name - Sheeva Azma (she/her · Current job title - Freelance Science Writer and Lead Writer/Researcher, Fancy Comma, LLC · A levels/ equivalent - N/A · Undergrad and postgrad degrees - BS, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; MS, Neuroscience, Georgetown University · Favourite science fact - Neuroscientists used to think that you’re born with all the brain cells you will have your entire life, but now they know that the adult brain grows new brain cells. Journey in 3 Words - Persistence wins everything! · Briefly describe your role -I am the founder of my own science writing company, Fancy Comma, LLC (http://fancycomma.com). Basically, this means that I spend a lot of my time doing what I love -- writing. As a freelancer, I get to take on work that I like, and I can say no to projects that I don’t think are a good fit. I also get to set my own hours. The flexibility of being a freelancer is amazing! I also, of course, have to deal with the business aspect of freelance science writing. That includes seeking out jobs, as well as performing accounting and other tasks. · What motivated you to pursue a career in science - I have always been interested in science, especially neuroscience. Growing up, I really liked chemistry, biology, neuroscience, and medicine, and so I studied biomedical sciences in undergraduate and graduate school. · How have your previous experiences played a part in your career path. - I was a cognitive neuroscience researcher for over 10 years, during which time I studied the attentional mechanisms of the brain, and the brain’s susceptibility to stress and addiction. My scientific training gives me the critical thinking skills needed to examine issues carefully. As someone with strong research skills, I have been able to branch out from science writing; these days, I also do health, policy, technology, and business writing. Because I am a scientist, and am familiar with the terminology scientists use, I also know how important it is to summarize complex topics in a manner that is easy-to-understand for a general audience. So, my science background has been foundational to my career as a science writer. · What made you decide to pursue science writing full-time and as a freelancer - I actually wrote an entire article about this! You can read it here: https://www.thexylom.com/post/science-writing-was-worth-it-it-just-took-longer-than-i-thought. · What was the hardest bit about pursuing freelance writing ? and what advice would you give someone wanting to follow this path? - The hardest part about freelance writing is the fact that it can be very isolating at times. Sometimes, sitting in my little writing nook, it felt like I was the only person doing science writing. It helps to connect with other science writers. In today’s increasingly remote world, this is easier than ever. On Twitter, you can chat about science communication and follow the hashtag #SciComm. You can also join the National Association of Science Writers, which holds regular networking events and provides other resources for science writers. Feel free to follow me on Twitter, also! · How do you feel careers in your field have evolved / where are they heading to? - When I was in academic science, many of my colleagues expressed concern that they did not have marketable skills. As a graduate student, I helped organize career panels for people interested in jobs outside of academia -- so-called “alt-ac” careers. These days, so-called “alt-ac” careers have become more mainstream. You can read more about this here. Also, careers in science have never been more important. Science is at the forefront of many global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. · When considering your career path, how much has your potential salary affected your decision? - Salary is an important consideration when deciding on a career. As a freelancer, your income can be inconsistent, so it’s important to have strong budgeting and accounting skills so that you can live comfortably while doing something you love · Outside science how would you describe yourself - I am an avid runner and have run three marathons - The Chicago Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, and the Philadelphia Marathon. To keep up with Sheeva, follow her on socials below Instagram FancyComma Twitter FancyComma Facebook FancyCommaLLC

Name - Haniah Sindhoo Current job title - Marketing Lead A levels/ equivalent - I went to High school in Scotland. Highers - Maths, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History. Advanced Highers - Chemistry and Biology Graduate degrees Bsc:Pharmacology Msc:Biomedical and Molecular Sciences with Business Favourite science fact - Mitochondria aren't actually the small bean shapes we have seen in textbooks. They often fuse together forming large networks and contain their own circular DNA! Journey in 3 Words - challenging, rewarding, exciting Briefly describe your role - I currently work as marketing lead for UK based biotechnology company Nuchido. As a highly scientific company focused on anti-ageing research I bridge the gap between the scientific context of the company and the commercial requirements. My main roles include writing scientific content, creating and managing social media channels and helping with PR. Nuchido is still in the growth stages only being a couple of years old, the beauty of this is that I can get involved in so many different aspects of the company. I get given plenty of responsibility and support from my colleagues and the opportunity to really establish myself which I love. I have learned so many things from digital marketing and analytics, to social media strategy, intellectual property, e-commerce and supplement regulations. Work- Life Balance- this is something I have really struggled with in the past. The final year of my undergraduate degree I was so stressed out, unable to relax, constantly feeling guilty if I wasn't studying. I was really burnt out and almost quit university. Since then I have made it a priority to take care of myself and give myself boundaries. When I changed my mindset and had more work life balance my work improved and my grades got better. I focused more on being productive during the hours I set myself so that I can enjoy my free time and relax in the evening. Seperating my work space from my relaxing space really helped with this. What motivated you to pursue a career in science - I have always been fascinated by science. It was my favourite subject in school, I wanted to understand how things worked and why they functioned that way. In high school I loved biology, to me it just made sense and continuously made me gasp in amazement. For me it wasn't really an active decision. I just followed the subjects I enjoyed and applied that same thinking to choosing my degree. What do/ did you enjoy the most about your degree - what i enjoyed most was the variety. I got a taste of lots of different fields, physiology, pharmacology, neuroscience. With my masters degree everything we were taught had so many practical applications and was related to some of the most exciting areas of research. What is most important when choosing a masters and what motivated you to pursue one? When I finished my undergraduate degree I was absolutely terrified and lacking in self confidence. I had no clue what I wanted to do but knew that my future wasn't in research. When I found a taught masters that combined my love of science with commercial subjects such as business, corporate finance, marketing I knew I wanted to study that. I am grateful that the University I did my undergrad at was running the course so it meant I didn't have to move and already knew the staff and area. What transferable skills did you get from your degree and how do you use them in your current role. The main thing I developed during my masters was confidence. I threw myself into networking events, extracurricular activities such as enterprise challenge, and becoming a member of the students representative council. I also developed my public speaking skills via journal clubs and presentations. Another really helpful skill was developing my communication skills. I did a science communication honours project in which I had to explain complex cancer biology subjects to a variety of people of different ages and backgrounds. All of these really help me in my current job. You completed a degree in a pandemic… how did you cope? Honestly, not well and with the help of lots of wine! It was such an uncertain time and everything changed so quickly. One day we were in classes, the next everything was closed. It was terrifying especially as my mum was immunocompromised and we didn't know what was going to happen. I tried my best to maintain a routine and stay on top of my university work but it wasn't easy. Some days I didn't get out of bed, I didn't do any work and I felt super overwhelmed. I tried to be kind to myself and not put enormous pressure on myself to be productive 24/7. I'm sending lots of support to all students who are still going through this because it's tough! But you can do this! What advice would you give anyone wanting to follow your career path - Just put yourself out there. I attended lots of careers and networking events to learn about the different career options I had. Speak to people (I know it can be terrifying) and share your career goals, ask questions and ask for advice, you never know who you may connect with! When considering your career path, how much has your potential salary affected your decision? For me the salary wasn't the most important factor. Obviously, we all have bills to pay but being a broke student for 5 years meant any salary seemed like a lot of money to me. I have to say it is nice having some disposable income for the first time. My main concern was finding a career path which would be a good fit for me. I wanted to work in an environment in which I could grow and develop with opportunities for progression. Outside science how would you describe yourself - outside of science I have so many different interests. I love watching football, playing sports, cooking and reading. I also love makeup and fashion as a way to express myself. To stay up to date with Haniah follow her on instagram : @believeinyourcell

Name:Jennifer Dominic (She/Her) Current role:Transitioning from a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) to a Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Managing Director of a Pharmaceutical company A levels/ equivalent :Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Maths Undergrad degree:BSc Bioscience Favourite science fact: An individual blood cell takes about 60 seconds to make a complete circuit of the body What motivated you to pursue a career in science I have always thrived in subjects that allowed me to understand the world we live in. Developing scientific knowledge and understanding the theory which underpins this really helps to acknowledge the potential of science to improve and help lives. With clinical research and human biology specifically I have been able to be part of some of the greatest advances in science and human history. Journey in 3 Words :Unique, Complex, Informative Briefly describe your role CRA( Clinical Research Associate): The main function of a CRA is to monitor clinical trials. A CRA reviews study progress, the quality and accuracy of data collection, compliance of patients to trial visits and assessments, and investigational product accountability, and will ensure good clinical practices are maintained throughout the trial and offer direction when needed. During a trial, the CRA conducts regular site visits—virtually and physically—to ensure proper progress and record keeping on the part of the clinical site. CoS( Chief of Staff) : In general a CoS works with the leader of an organization and their leadership team. I will be working behind the scenes to implement strategic initiatives, support the leadership team solve problems and deal with issues before they are brought to the managing director. Often chiefs of staff act as a confidant and advisor to the chief executive/managing director, acting as a sounding board for ideas. Ultimately the actual duties depend on the position and the people involved. What transferable skills do you use from your degree now in your job Regardless of the role you work in within my current field the core skills are all regularly utilised in everyday life as a student on most courses particularly science based courses. Communications, teamwork and collaboration skills will always be critical skills to communicate effectively and work with others (think group work!).In addition, analytical skills in my previous role were used almost daily to interpret patient information and data. This was to ensure they are eligible patients to be enrolled into our clinical trials. Why didn’t you go for the option of further study and what advice would you give an undergrad wanting to follow your career path? It was a very difficult decision for me that was very much influenced by my experience whilst working as a lab researcher for my university. Through this my passion for science intensified and so did my ambition to want to contribute to healthcare which led me to a career in clinical research and 5 years later I am currently looking into what postgraduate degree options there are to further my studies which support and complement my career so watch this space! When considering your career path, how much has your potential salary affected your decision? Salary was a factor but not a huge one. My whole career path to date has been focused on roles that have allowed me to gain a wealth of experience! Making sure I was well equipped for roles that would grant me growth, as this is key to achieve my future career ambitions. You run an amazing platform called Wenite - how do you maintain balance with your main job? Great question! Maintaining balance is key for peace of mind - I try my best to implement barriers and boundaries to make sure I have sufficient time for all elements of my life: family, faith, friends, Wenite, career goals, etc. Some weeks are great and other weeks I can do better but I am committed to establishing a strong equilibrium in my life! Last year with Wenite I decided to operate a bit differently as I found that it was taking a lot of mine and my team of 2 at the times’ time. Since then we have increased the team size to 9 and outsourced as much as possible. This new structure has allowed us to innovate more, increase efficiency and with lower time commitment. Spreading the workload between the team has allowed me to draw on shared passion for science with a highly talented group of friends that I have worked or interacted with in my own personal life/career journey. What advice do you give in terms of networking and how have you gone about building meaningful connections? Networking is key - this is something we see and hear about all the time and as cliche as it sounds it really is important to network ‘authentically’. I have always enjoyed meeting new individuals and sharing ideas/thoughts, especially through my involvement in groups of interest such as the Women of Colour in Pharma, I was able to connect with women who inspired me, empowered me and understood me. What advice would you give on dealing with rejection and perseverance? To deal with rejection and perseverance, its important to fall back on your support network, who’s primary aim is to help you achieve your personal or professional goals. The network does not have to be large and it does not have to be limited to your friendship. Find people you connect with that allow you to feel vulnerable and share, vent, express your feelings to them. Most of the time they won’t be able to do anything but often they empower you to be able to cope with the stresses of life best! Outside science how would you describe yourself ? Serioholic - I love to binge watch shows! Connect with Jennifer Instagram:@jenniifer_xx & @wenitestem Twitter:@oluwajennii & @wenitestem Linkedin: Jennifer Dominic & Wenite Wenite

Name : Dr Thato Motlhalamme Course/ job: Postdoctoral fellow at the South African Grape and Wine Research Institute A levels/ equivalent: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, English Undergrad and postgrad degrees: I have an undergraduate degree in Complementary Medicine, Master degree in Medical Biosciences (both obtained from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa) and a PhD in Wine Biotechnology (Stellenbosch University, South Africa). Favourite science fact: I really don't have a favourite science fact. I am fascinated by all the things we constantly learn about the world and the universe. Some things that may be science fact today could be disproved tomorrow. Journey in 3 Words: Challenging, exciting and unpredictable Briefly describe your role I work as a Postdoctoral fellow in the Microbial Ecology group at the South African Grape and Wine Research Institute. A typical day for me is lab based where I teach graduate students in the lab various techniques such as management of microorganisms in bioreactors, isolating nucleic acid material from yeast cells and running experiments to analyse gene expression patterns. I write articles on the data we generate and also manage the lab. What motivated you to pursue a career in science? I have always been fascinated by biology. As a kid I spent many hours watching medical shows on TV and would pretend to be a doctor. Biology just made sense to me and I wanted to work in a space that involved biological sciences. What are the best and worst parts of doing a phd? The best part of my PhD was the constant learning. I love to challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone and this degree gave me plenty of opportunities to do that. This was also the source of some of the worst parts of a PhD. In the quest to find out how and why yeast produce melatonin, there were many failed experiments and data that did not make sense which was very frustrating. But in the end I discovered so many great qualities about myself that I had not known prior to the PhD. What advice would you give your younger self Believe more in your abilities. There is nothing you cannot achieve once you set your mind to it. How do you feel the Science world has evolved throughout your career? ( what are some hard truths you have had to face?) There are politics everywhere you go including science. The first hard truth I had to face was at the end of my undergraduate program when I realised that it would be difficult to practice as a Complementary Medicine healthcare practitioner because of the policies in the country at the time. There was resistance from the allopathic sector and government at the time to open up the healthcare sector to traditional and complementary healthcare practitioners. This forced me to look at other opportunities available to us at the time and in hindsight it was a blessing in disguise because I love research. How do you feel careers in your field have evolved / where are they heading to? I have an interdisciplinary background and that is a direct result of the changes in happening in all science fields. We are realising that in order to fully understand how systems work, we need the experts from different fields to work together. We get to learn from one another and I think that will open more opportunities for us as scientists. Outside science how would you describe yourself? I am a very energetic, positive, free spirited and fun loving person. My husband and I live in South Africa but our families are from Botswana and Zimbabwe. So in my down time I travel between the two countries visiting them. Spending time with family is how I recharge. You have recently co-authored a book – what were the motivations behind the book and how did you balance the writing process alongside other commitments? The book developed from numerous conversations I had with Evodia about the low representation of successful black female scientists in South African academic institutions. At that point I was in the middle of my PhD and had questions on how women like me built STEM careers in academia and industry. We then organised a small round table with other young black women in STEM to understand if the feelings I had were unique to me or shared by others. In this session, we asked the ladies what questions they would ask the female scientists they looked up to in their respective fields. That was the basis of the questions we asked the scientists featured in the book. We interviewed the women featured in the book, transcribed these interviews, and wrote the stories based on the information gathered in the interviews and internet searches. Once we were happy with the story, we sent it back to the scientist featured for final approval. I was a full time student at that point and most of this work was done in the evenings and every Saturday for the past 18 months. It hasn't been easy but what made it work was the passion we both had to make this book a reality. We chose to make it a fun, learning experience which helped keep us motivated I believe. Connect with Dr Thato Motlhalamme Twitter: @thatoym Instagram: @holdingtheknifesedge Linkedin: Thato Motlhalamme About holding the knife's edge : The Book Launch Buy Holding the knife's edge Twitter:@holdingtheknife

Name : Chude Obuaya Job Title: Pharmacovigilance Specialist A levels/ equivalent :Biology & Psychology (A level), chemistry, English lit & Lang, BTEC Science (AS level) Graduate degrees Bsc Biology Biomedical Science (PGDip) Biomedical Blood Science (MSc) Favourite science fact Induced pluripotent stem cells have been reprogrammed to behave like embryonic pluripotent cells, enabling the development of an unlimited source of any type of human cell for treatment Journey in 3 Words Long but rewarding Briefly describe your role I manage pharmacovigilance (drug safety) cases through intake, documentation, case processing and submission. I determine the seriousness, expectedness and causality of each case and perform follow-up if required. What motivated you to pursue a career in science I want each individual to be able to receive and access the best healthcare possible Given your Msc the "lab " would be the expected route , how did you end up in pharmacovigilance ? In my masters, we didn’t just focus on lab/clinical based skills we also branched into ethics, project management and case studies. The role I’m in found me, as I actually applied to a different role. But in this role I get to see how medicine impacts people and the way in which we can work alongside different healthcare industries to ensure patient safety. I didn’t enjoy it, so I decided not to pursue it. How did you decide “the lab” wasn’t for you? I didn’t enjoy it, so I decided not to pursue it. -whilst every part of science is important and impactful, I think some of the frustration when it comes to science/healthcare innovation can be the lack of public input. I enjoy interacting with people and I want to be in a role that allows me to interact with patients and clients to ensure that healthcare/science innovation is driven by the real needs people have. Also I believe that your work should be enjoyable and quite frankly, I find the lab boring. How has your perception of “healthcare” changed over the course of your career? So much bureaucracy. It’s clear that people aren’t always at the forefront of healthcare. What advice would you give on picking universities A Russell Group is nice on paper but it might not necessarily be the best place for you to go. Ensure the university degree suits the requirements you need to enter the world of work or apply for a PhD. For example, questions to ask may be is the course IBMS accredited, do I do research project or a dissertation in my final year. How do you maintain a healthy Work- Life Balance? I don’t allow my work define me. Work is what I do, it’s not who I am. I’m a Christian, so I believe God defines and gives me my worth. I live life more freely as a result. Given the lack of adequate career advice, what advice would you give someone wanting to follow the same path ? Use the platforms that are available to you e.g. Twitter, IG etc. don’t be afraid to reach out to those of us who’ve gone before you. If you don’t ask you don’t get. How have internships helped you navigate your career path I did a consulting internship in my undergrad and it reaffirmed my love for research and people-facing roles. No career journey is a linear path, What are some hard truths you have had to face along the way? There’s always someone with more experience and when applying for jobs there’s a lot of no’s before you get that yes. Sometimes you have to do a job you don’t like in the industry to get where you want to go. What is your biggest pet peeve about how the world perceives science That anyone can understand it to a professional degree. The world of science is large, with many different disciplines. There are niches that people dedicate their lives to. Reading a couple of blogs doesn’t mean you know what you’re talking about. When considering your career path, how much has your potential salary affected your decision? Job security and satisfaction are more important to me than pay, but I want to get paid my worth. But if the opportunity is good and progression is clear, then I can consider taking a bit of cut temporarily Outside science how would you describe yourself Funny, sporty and easy-going

1. Name: Damilola Rasheed Oresegun 2. A levels: Biology, Chemistry, Maths, English Literature 3. Your undergraduate degree (and masters if applicable ): BSc. Biomedical Science (w. a placement year); MSc. Applied Bioinformatics 4. Journey in 3 words: illuminating, Challenging, Malleable 5. Phd project:Sequencing the genome of a malaria from South East Asia Working title: Bioinformatic elucidation and characterisation of the SICAvar genes in the Plasmodium knowlesi genome using Nanopore long read sequencing Layman’s: Sequencing the genome of a malaria from South East Asia 6. Briefly describe your project :I am trying to use long read sequencing to find a family of genes in a type of malaria that is only in South East Asia. This form of malaria is interesting because it was used for decades in labs malaria research until they found that it has naturally moved from infecting monkeys (macaques) to infecting humans that come in contact with these monkeys. The difficulty lies in the fact these genes are repeat themselves a lot so are it's hard to sequence using the more used Illumina short read sequencing. Added to this is that I'm using clinical patient samples which makes the work more harder because all other information available are based on the lab samples. This means that my samples are slightly different because time will have allowed the malaria to evolve further in nature rather than in the lab. 7. What motivated you to pursue a career in science Some people like horror movies because they get a thrill from being scared and it gets their blood pumping. Scientifically, when that happens, they get a release of dopamine and serotonin – both are ‘feel-good’ chemicals. That is why I’m doing science; learning interesting things like that. Learning about micro-organisms and the way they infect and survive, understanding the inner workings of their ‘life’. For me, science is the way I can deal with my over-curiousity about everything; it gives me an avenue to explore and understand ideas I randomly have. What I currently do will not change the world but I believe that increasing the knowledge available can possibly lead to something that will change the world. 8. Work- Life Balance I find that the a work-life balance is something that is constantly changing and being adjusted. I work as an assistant warden (a.k.a residential assistant) as a part-time job which has allowed me to help younger undergrads in a variety of ways. Personally, to alleviate stress, I play games, listen to music, go for walks on the beach and do adult colouring books (I’m working through a GoT one currently). Although I still think my work-life balance is somewhat lacking due to different factors but I am working towards improving it. 9. How did you know a pHd was for you Honestly, I didn’t. My journey up till this point is pretty convoluted and in retrospect I think I’ve been fortunate in many ways. My masters was the by far the most difficult thing I have ever had to do so far in my life and at the end of it, I did not feel like I was experienced enough to go into a work environment. 10. What advice would you give someone wanting to apply for a phd Know what you want to study. Be ready to fail. Be ready to pick yourself up and try again. Be ready for frustrating moments and moments of epic self-doubt. However, also be ready for a time that is full of self-discovery, opportunities, and understanding. You will learn everything about a hyper-specific area of study that you will meet other academics, researchers about. In terms of skills and such things, I believe anyone can do a PhD; the main qualifier is determination, grit and the ability to adapt at a frightening pace. It’s definitely always good to talk to previous/current PhD students and visit labs. However this isn’t always available so I would just say that a PhD is a major commitment so BE SURE YOU WANT TO DO THIS. 11. Outside of academics what benefits has pursuing a phd given you ? I have had the opportunity to travel to Asia twice. In fact I recently just got back from Malaysia (October 2018). I have met people studying interesting things that will change the world, help people and increase the understanding of that area. Personally I have grown more confident in my skills and my knowledge. I consider myself one of the world’s expert in what I study as it is something that has never been done before. I have been able to develop a better sense of self, being more aware of my mind-state and the effects of my environment on my well-being. I have grown in my ‘soft skills’ – responsibility, accountability, time management, project planning etc. 12. What benefits did doing a placement have for your career and which tips would you give students looking / completing a placement year. If I didn’t do a placement, I probably wouldn’t be doing bioinformatics. Well at the very least, it would have taken considerably longer. A placement acted as a way to focus what I wanted going forward. I found that whilst I truly enjoyed being in the lab and carrying out tests and the like, the routine nature of the work was monotonous. I found that I got bored very quickly, which led to a building up of resentment toward the work. I also learned the inner workings of the job sector which disillusioned me into the appreciation for that particular job role by the rest of sector. Most importantly, my placement year allowed me access to a dedicated team of bioinformaticians that I was able to talk to and work with which allowed me to gain a love for bioinformatics. Additionally, without my placement, I wouldn’t have had my first publication which was work that was adapted from my undergraduate thesis. So for me, placement while not directly beneficial for my undergrad course, it was essential for where I am now. When looking for placement, especially for biomedical science or biosciences in general, I don’t think it’s important to know that you definitely want to work within that job role. If there is even any notion of working in that role in the future, I would advise to pursue a placement. It will provide a better idea of what to expect in that role. You WILL at the end of it, know whether it’s for you or not. If you get a placement or are completing one, try new things, say yes to every single opportunity, talk to lab directors, section leaders etc. The aim of a placement apart from getting your portfolio is to get your foot in that door – whether you choose to go through it or not is down to you. Intigrate yourself with the people there and you will be able to utilise their connection later down the line. Honestly I cannot recommend placement enough, I would say that everyone thinking of doing a placement should apply to one without fail, it is always beneficial. 13. What are the best and worst parts of doing a phd Best parts – You get responsibility for what you do. You determine what experiments to run, when to run them. You get to build better and somewhat more ‘human?’ interactions with lecturers, professors and principal investigators. Your opinion is sought after, valid and respected for your knowledge and understanding. You get to meet a variety of people both in your lab, office, school and wider university. You get to push that bubble of total human knowledge ever so slightly bigger everyday. Personally, I have gotten to travel, work with world leaders in malaria research and be a role model for my community. Worst parts – Personally, I moved to less diverse environment than I was used to which was quite difficult to adjust to. I have had to deal with bouts of depression due to loneliness and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Being far from family, friends and feeling like I am missing out on so much. Constant moments of self-doubt about whether you can do this monumental task ahead of you. 14. Where do you see yourself after your phd? After the PhD, I’m not entirely sure to be honest – I’ve just started my second year. Hopefully, I will have a few more publications under my name. However, I currently don’t see myself staying in academia due to internal politics present in the academia and also due to the demoralising process of grant writing and application. At the moment, I’m thinking going into industry, working for a biotech company or forming my own bioinformatics consultancy that is able to provide a service. For me, the truly great thing about what I do is that I could do all three as the only limiting factor for me is time required.

Name: Angatu Role: PhD student A levels: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, French Undergraduate degree: Biomedical Science Describe your journey in 3 words: Challenging, captivating, fulfilling. A brief description of your role : I am studying how an atherosclerosis-associated meat, poultry and dairy metabolite known as TMAO affects the function of vascular cells, using tissue culture and molecular biology techniques. What motivated you to pursue a career in science: I have always had an interest in human biology, and as I progressed through my schooling I became more and more fascinated by the depth and interweaving complexity of the innumerable processes that keep us alive and well (or not so well). This motivated me to embark on a Biomedical Sciences degree, which paved the way towards pursuing a career in human biology research What keeps you motivated: A desire to contribute to my community and wider society, to achieve my future career goals, and my family (especially mum). What advice would you give to someone wanting to follow your career path: Be sure that it is your passion! Studying or pursuing a career in science can be gruelling and oftentimes the main outcome is personal fulfilment and job satisfaction (rather than a huge pay check…), so as long as you enjoy science and don’t mind a bit of hard work, you’ll do great! How do you manage your work-life balance: Doing a PhD is pretty consuming, and although I may not find as much time for myself as I would like in my day-to-day life, I make sure to give myself time off to do what I love the most, which is to travel. That requires good planning of my work and co-ordination with colleagues, so my project doesn’t suffer.

Name: Iyesha What do you currently study: Pharmacy A Levels - Maths Chemistry Biology Journey in 3 words: Exciting, enlightening and overwhelming What drives you to stay motivated: Getting to the finish line- being a pharmacist Brief description of your role / course: A pharmacist is responsible for ensuring that the medicines prescribed to patients are safe and suitable for them. Depending on where you work your role will vary slightly. For example, if you work in a community you’ll give a lot of over the counter medication advice than if you work in a hospital. The course involves a lot of biology with some chemistry and maths. Throughout the four years you will learn about A LOT of medications- there indications, interactions, side effects, safety monitoring etc. At the end of the four years, you’ll graduate with a Master of Pharmacy degree /Bsc and will have to do a pre-registration year which is like a placement year where you train under the supervision of a tutor for 52weeks and then take the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) exam in order to get your pharmacist licence. You can do your pre-registration year at a community pharmacy, hospital, GP or industry. You also have a choice of doing a split pre-registration year which means you can do your pre-registration year at two places (e.g. community and hospital). What motivated you to pursue a career in science: I’ve always had a passion to help people and I always knew I wanted to study a healthcare profession. I chose pharmacy because of the amount of impact I’ll have on people’s life. I’ve been around a lot people who have limited knowledge about medications, they’ll take medicines for the wrong reason or take a wrong dose, causing them to suffer side effects or worsen an existing condition they have. Knowing that I can help prevent these from happening motivated me to do pharmacy. What advice will you give to someone wanting to follow a similar career path to yours: - Before you apply for pharmacy, do a lot of research about it and be certain it is what you want to do. Do not just settle for pharmacy because you could not get into medicine. - Once you are in: o Believe in yourself! o Work hard but at the same time enjoy yourself. o Build up your network (e.g. through RPS conferences) o Get a part time pharmacy job or volunteer (this will really help) o Get involve in extra-curricular activities that are not pharmacy based. Describe how you manage your work life balance By being organised! I always try to plan my week ahead by scheduling time to study and to do whatever I want. I also try to finish all my course work at least a week before it's due and i try my best to not let my lectures pile up. Tips on applying for internships: Big chain pharmacies like boots, Lloyds, wells etc. do summer internships every year for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year pharmacy students. Apply to as many as you can. Even if you don’t get in to their summer placements, you can always volunteer at local pharmacies. Also, instead of getting a summer internship, you can get a part-time job at boots, Lloyds or any local pharmacy. Having a part-time pharmacy job is a great way to increase your knowledge. Some hospitals and research industries also offer summer placements for 2nd and 3rd year pharmacy students. Placements and part-time jobs are really important as they can be a gate way for you to get a pre-registrations placement.

Name :Marie Nugent (she/her) Job Title :Public Engagement Manager, Attenborough Arts Centre, University of Leicester A levels/ equivalent : Biology, Chemistry, English Literature (French AS Level) Graduate degrees BSc: KCL Biomedical Sciences with Genetics PhD: Leicester in Behavioural Genetics and Neuroscience with a dash of Electrophysiology Briefly describe your role It’s my job to broker collaborative partnerships between researchers and others who can contribute to research engagement Favourite science fact It would take over 90 years to read your entire genome letter by letter (yet your cells are doing it in minutes all the time!) Journey in 3 Words Come full circle In many ways, going to university meant I had to distort myself a bit and I was confronted with what I now understand to be my class difference. I’ve reconnected with my younger self to understand myself now and I’m glad I no longer feel I need to be like the others in order to be taken seriously. What motivated you to pursue a career in science I’m naturally a very curious person, nosy if you will. I like to observe things, look for patterns and spot how things work and inter-relate. THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME Your biology teacher had a huge impact on you attending university, What would you tell Mrs Beevor and younger Marie? I’ve thought about getting in touch with Mrs Beevor but I have no way of finding how to, sadly, if I could I would say THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME. She could have given up and let me slip behind in my grades but instead she *metaphorically* grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and told me to sort myself out at a time I really needed to hear that. To my younger self, I would say to never forget that what makes you different makes you special. What resources helped you most during your direct transition from BSc to PhD. In hindsight would you still recommend this direct path? I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into if I’m honest and hindsight is a funny thing! I had literally no resources that I used other than findaphd.com to find the opportunities I could apply for. PHD Comics were always a great source of laughter, I’m pretty sure I had some printed out at my desk! I don’t regret anything I’ve done to this point as it’s got me to where I am now, however, looking back I wish I’d known the power I really had as a student in terms of making sure I was getting the training and support I needed to get the skills and experience I required for the next step in my career. I instead felt I needed to keep that on the side and the first priority was delivering my research project, which is of course important but shouldn’t be the be all and end all. How did you know a pHd was for you? And how did you realise it was no longer fulfilling its initial purpose? I hadn’t even heard of a PhD before the end of my 2nd year of my BSc when I was looking for summer lab projects to get more experience in the lab alongside my degree. I realised that I would need to get straight into a fully-funded PhD to continue my studies as I couldn’t afford to do an MSc in between. I worked hard to get interviews and got accepted at Leicester which was such a relief! It was then just over the half-way point that I realised I loved the outreach and engagement work I was doing alongside my lab project and started looking specifically at developing my experience so I could work in Science Communications and Engagement after completing my PhD. What transferable skills do you use from your degree now in your job ? I’m a fast learner so picking up key words and terms in new areas of work is a great skill to have when you are working across such a range of specialisms. It reassures people that you understand their work and needs which makes new working relationships easier. Studying genetics I suppose enabled me to look for logical patterns and processes, understand relationships and have a general wonder at how complex life is which in a philosophical way is something I absolutely bring into my professional work now. You work in Higher Education engagement What was the hardest thing about transitioning into this space from academia and research -> Academia vs Corporate culture I went from Academia - Corporate - Academia and transitioning between these two worlds takes some adjustment! The working culture is rather different in many ways, for example you rarely get praise in Academia so when you get lashings of praise in a Corporate setting for something minor it can feel like it’s a bit overkill and left me feeling a bit awkward sometimes. Mentorship isn’t something spoken about much in the science field. How did your mentor help shape your journey and what advice would you give someone seeking a mentor? I’ve benefited from a range of mentors but someone who supported me to get the skills and experience needed to get my first full time professional role after my PhD was an academic in the Genetics Dept called Dr Cas Kramer. He saw I enjoyed the work and I was good at it so took the time to help me get enough experience in a range of settings to give me enough to talk about alongside my PhD project in job interviews. Best advice I could give others is to look for someone you respect and just put yourself out there and ask for their help, if you don’t ask you will never know. What advice would you give anyone wanting to follow your career path and are there ways to work in this field without a Phd? Yes, there are absolutely plenty of paths to the job I have and you do not need to have a PhD or have even been to university to work in my profession. Sadly, the culture is such that often people are drawn to those who have been to university or worked in HE before despite it not being a requirement. This is quite frustrating at times. However, demonstrating you can work to tight deadlines, you can build effective working partnerships and you can think strategically are important skills which you can draw in from a variety of places so if you think you have these skills then maybe a role in engagement is for you. Look at a range of sci comm and engagement professionals out there on LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media and follow the networks and accounts they are linked to in order to start building your own awareness of what opportunities there are in these spaces. How have your experiences motivated your career path (current and future) and what impact has this had on your current role. My experiences and career to date only motivate me further to develop opportunities for a broader range of people to have a say in how HE and research enriches our world. It’s easy to forget sometimes how much we still don’t know because we are so saturated with information, the next big challenge is working out how we best use what we know to create a more equitable, sustainable way of living. Science is a verb, not a noun. What is your biggest pet peeve about how the world perceives science ? Science is a verb, not a noun. People find it really hard to accept that yes, science can simultaneously reveal truth and yet be limited in that truth. In other words, science is only stating with as much certainty as humanly possible what can be observed and measured within a set of conditions, so it is always subject to change and is not the only way of knowing. When considering your career path, how much has your potential salary affected your decision? Honestly, not at all. Maybe I should have thought about this more! Outside of science, how do you describe yourself? I’m not sure how I describe myself is any different in or out of science. I am open, honest and try to be kind. I’m observant and I look for the fun and joy in life. I have high expectations of myself and I’m driven by my values to make positive change. I am no better or no worse than any other person and I believe that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

Name : Jade Hall (She/her) Job title: Senior Science Policy Officer – Royal Society of Biology (RSB) A levels: Biology, ICT, General Studies Graduate degrees: BSc Biology with an industrial placement MSc Ecology, Evolution and Conservation PhD in Biomechanics and Animal Welfare Science Favourite science fact: A naked mole rat’s lower incisors can move independently and even work together like fingers or chopsticks. Journey in 3 Words: Exhilarating, Overwhelming, Intriguing Briefly describe your role: I am responsible for providing input and delivering a portfolio of activities focusing on policies linked to scientists. This includes research funding, research integrity and research publication. Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) has also become a large part of my role, I support RSB’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and Diversity and Inclusion Network. By working with RSB’s board of trustees, committees and staff members, I assist with planning and implementing a programme of work to pro-actively promote and embed EDI into our current organisational policies, practices and behaviours. Finally, I also focus on disseminating policy news of interest to our membership. What motivated you to pursue a career in science? Since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated by animals and why they behave differently. My favourite characters in books and TV shows or toys were always animals, and my world exploded once I discovered nature documentaries. I was driven by a passion to explore the natural environment and was frequently found at my local ecology centre or the natural history museum. Your BSc included a placement year, looking back how did this experience play a role in your current career path? During my placement year, I worked for a biotechnology company investigating the enzymes used in glucose biosensors. I wanted to explore if working in a lab was for me. Developing my wet lab skills helped to secure my degree, but the interpersonal skills gained were irreplaceable. I was lucky enough to work and learn something from different team members, enhancing my communication skills by succinctly presenting my findings during lab meetings. Although I had a great experience, it helped me whittle down my career possibilities and provide direction as I then knew working in the biotech industry wasn’t for me. What advice would you give someone wanting to do a placement year? If the opportunity arises, do it! It is a fantastic chance to immerse yourself in an industry and see if there are elements you like or dislike. It is also advantageous as you get paid for a year, and it can increase your job prospects after graduation. There are always skills to be gained from each experience along your career journey. How did you decide on your MSc? and do you feel you made the right decision for your career? During my undergrad, animal and plant-related modules received the highest scores, indicating I could flourish learning more during post-graduate education. It was definitely the right decision, as I learnt from experts in a field, I was passionate about. Additionally, I always dreamed of working with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), where I carried out my final 6-month project placement. My eyes were opened to exciting conservation programmes, working in the charity sector, and impactful outreach initiatives such as Soapbox Science. How did you know a PhD was for you? Sometimes when you tell people you have a PhD, “you must be really smart” is a common comment, “I am really persistent and stubborn” is often my response. A PhD can have many ups and downs and is a marathon, not a sprint, which can be hard to grasp before you start. Although there were times when things never went to plan, I enjoyed talking to people about my project. To date, I still get excited about new developments in connected fields. A professor once told me that if you would spend your last pound finding the answer to your investigative question, you know a PhD is for you. What advice would you give someone wanting to apply for a PhD? Spend a significant amount of time on your personal statement and get another person to review it. Connecting with current PhD students to hear about their experiences can also be beneficial. Don’t be afraid to take non-traditional routes. I acquired my PhD via an interdisciplinary doctoral training programme that included an internship and opportunities to develop a variety of additional skills. After your PhD, you transitioned “outside” of academia what helped you make this choice? Vocalising my thoughts and fears with the people I trusted was crucial. Academia was my life, and I didn’t know what else was out there. So, I treated my impending future career as one of my study projects and researched! Tools such as LinkedIn are fantastic to investigate career paths, and blogs such as The Catalyst in Me are influential in highlighting the range of routes available. To date, I still have one foot in academia as I work with academics and support policy activities that apply to an academic context. What do you enjoy most about your current role and which “transferrable skills” have been most valuable through your journey? I enjoy connecting people that are working on inspiring EDI initiatives with learned societies. In the policy world, you have to be a sponge absorbing lots of evidence. Along my journey, I have learnt to take large amounts of information and disseminate findings in understandable, digestible formats covering various life science disciplines. Furthermore, I have continued to stay inquisitive and maintain my passion for science. I still get excited when learning about a ground-breaking discovery or a fun science pub-quiz fact. When considering your career path, how much has your potential salary affected your decision? The older I have become, a salary has more significance and is frequently tied to my career choices. With each future endeavour it is vital to recognise your worth. How would you describe yourself outside of science? Pre-pandemic, I was a Cuban salsa fanatic. I loved travelling to salsa congresses around the world or going to local classes. Post-pandemic, I have developed a love for arts and crafts (it is just a coincidence that all of my art pieces characterise animals).

On the 14th of October 2021 Wenite STEM hosted a #ProudToBeBlackFoundersInSTEM event. The event saw 13 organisations come together with attendees from different fields. The founders on the day came together to talk about their experiences and show black students the support available to them ! “We exist, We are here to help and we are here to STAY” Being black in STEM is a journey with many twists and turns, there are numerous published articles on the difficulties and barriers black graduates face. Most recently in a BBC article, a focus on academia again ! While the STATS for black professors are disheartening, this also filters across different sectors. How do black students stay the course and climb up the career ladder feeling supported and heard? The #ProudToBeBlackFounders event was that space of showing the range of industry professionals and leaders willing to help. The companies present represented the pharmaceutical industry, academic pathways, medicine and all corners of STEM with a focus on mentorship, support and guidance. The powerful keynote speech by Dr Abdullahi Sheriff , BBBA STEM senior Leader of the year 2020, set the tone for the event: Striving for excellence on your own terms even if it means taking the “scenic route”. Why science? for Dr Sheriff he shared that, science allowed him to innovate and his scenic route involved stretching himself for the pursuit of knowledge. “There is no need to apologise or worry about how you perceived or who you are” - Dr Abdullhai Sheriff Visibility is important for anyone pursuing any career path and it is clear that REPRESENTATION MATTERS. The event centres around students feeling more empowered, informed and hopefully resulting in increased confidence to take chances and pursue the STEM field of their choice. The importance of highlighting these founders and organisations, shows the power of coming together and from the outside looking in, other organisations will value collaboration and know who to approach for different outreach activities when it comes to Black and STEM graduates. The event had a single message for organisations looking to support #BlackFounders #BlackStudents and #BlackProfessionals. “Give opportunity and we will absolutely surprise you when you ALLOW diverse talent to thrive” The #FireSideChat with the panelist produced a space for the panelist to really talk through the missions of their organisations and attendees to ask questions. The discussion of the evening, Led by Jennifer, Founder of Wenite, followed the journeys of the founders, asking what organisations could do more of ! Here are the main takeaways from the panelists, Wande, A Director at Novartis who volunteers across a number of organisations supporting diverse talents including Wenite - highlights the importance of building that confidence as a professional to put yourself in spaces you want to be seen in. She acknowledges the constant battle with imposter syndrome that many people face but to push through in times of adversity and lean into the support network you have built. Wande shares that her journey in science is motivated by helping people into and through the pharmaceutical industry and even if it's just one thing “Know your worth and pursue that excellence. As black people in white spaces, you cannot hide if you tried, so use that “ - Wande Tomi, BWIS Founder - BWIS was formed as a support network and needing a community in science. Her talk really hones in on the importance of mentorship and community”. BWIS has been a pillar of support for many and herself. Not having had a straightforward journey, the network has kept her going through a time where she just wanted to quit. Her pursuit of science is the pursuit of knowledge and just being nosy ! “Its difficult loving a field and being rejected again and again” -Tomi Kim, Co-founder of Black Pharma - Similar to bwis, the network was created to find people more like her in pharma and support each other through the industry. Her talk also highlights the importance of being seen and valued in the workplace. Her line manager took a chance on her and that had a great impact on her journey. “Everyone's dream job is in pharma and you can leverage many skill sets, with great global impact “ - Kim Dr Ajeleti, Co-founder Modern Day Medics - From a former biology teacher to becoming a medic, his talk really focuses in on the point of belonging and pursuing what you want. Modern day medics takes people through the journey of pursuing medicine but also highlighting other routes within science, STEM and healthcare in general. “I love science because WE ARE SCIENCE” - Dr Ajeleti The event ended with a networking session. Networking is difficult for many but the select few that aren’t afraid of rejection. Oftentimes students and people early in their careers find networking daunting and awkward. Another aim of the event was to get people networking, providing a bridge to making it easy to identify organisations and people to work with, connect with and seek advice from. From a student perspective, it is very difficult to know who to approach, but the event through the founders making themselves visible, who also represent the members of their groups bridges that gap on who is willing to be approached. Finally as an attendee and Q and A host, it wouldn’t be a TCIM blog post without a few tips and take homes from the event. Tips on networking and the pursuit of excellence Network across with your peers that attended the vent Network above with people in fields and positions you aspire to be Believe in yourself and aspire to wanting to be different Go for the opportunities and SHOW UP after making yourself visible Define what excellence means for you and strive for that Apply for Jobs early, you have nothing to lose and exposure to the recruitment process. Science is about helping and making a difference that doesn’t only have to be achieved through medicine. STEM is the pursuit of innovation and exploration, so write the future you want to be a part of. You can find the event playback here. For more information about the organisations and their founders, watch their highlights summary here: Speakers & Sponsors