Emilia Reyes Pabon, Level 6 Laboratory Scientist, University Of Oxford Clinical BioManufacturing Facility

·         Why did you choose to pursue an advanced therapies apprenticeship?

I chose to complete an apprenticeship as it gave me the opportunity to learn through practical, hands-on experiences, while also receiving theory from the training providers. The combination of theory and practice has been beneficial for my development, allowing me to advance from a Level 3 to a Level 6 apprenticeship.

·         Could you tell us a bit about your role and the projects that you’ve been involved in as part of your apprenticeship?
As part of my role in Production Team at the Clinical BioManufacturing Facility, I contribute to the manufacture of vaccines for early phase clinical trials. One of my key responsibilities has been the filtration and filling of our final drug products inside our isolator. Since we are a small facility, I really enjoy the opportunity to collaborate and learn from different departments. For instance, as part of my apprenticeship project, I was involved in the development of NGS and PCR assays, which are not typically part of my routine tasks.

·         What opportunities has your apprenticeship opened up for you?
Beyond my work, my apprenticeship has opened up incredible opportunities for outreach and growth. I've had the privilege to share my apprenticeship journey with students in schools, career fairs and in the radio! One of the most memorable highlights was attending sessions at the House of Lords and The Royal Society in London to discuss my role as an apprentice during COVID-19. Additionally, I've had the opportunity to attend the Global Young Scientist Summit in Singapore, and learn about different science disciplines and broaden my perspective as a young scientist.

·         How have you balanced your work and studies?
Balancing my apprenticeship with work was challenging at times, however, since the beginning of my apprenticeship I've had very supportive line managers and work colleagues, that ensured I had enough time to complete all my apprenticeship work, allowing for extra time when needed.'