Laura

What do you do at Qkine? 

Well, officially, my job title is Office Manager and QMS Assistant, but in reality, I wear quite a few hats! Day to day, my goal is to make sure the office runs smoothly and feels like a positive, organized space for everyone. That means managing everything from kitchen supplies and the cleaning contract to general facilities, and making sure the team has everything they need to do their best work. 

On the Quality Management side, I supported the implementation and upkeep of our new system. We’ve moved our quality documentation to a new system, including training materials, procedures, and records. It’s a big shift for the company, and I’ve really enjoyed being part of that process and learning more about lab processes. 

I also look after the lab consumables inventory, making sure the scientists have everything they need, from pipettes to reagents. It's not the sales stock, but all the materials they use day-to-day. I love that side of the job because it’s very detail-oriented, and I get to learn as much as possible about the software we use and test it to make sure it’s working as efficiently as it can for us – and use spreadsheets (both of which I get very excited about). 

Oh, and I also support the finance team, helping process purchase orders and invoices when needed. So yes, I’m kind of involved in nearly every department in some way! 

What’s a small daily ritual that keeps you grounded at work? 

Definitely starting the day with a proper cup of tea! I’m firmly in the tea camp (no coffee for me), so as soon as I get into the office, I head to the kitchen and get my brew going. That moment of calm, just making tea and saying hello to everyone, sets the tone for the day. 

Then I go straight into my inbox, which I treat as my digital to-do list. I categorize everything using color-coded flags so I can instantly see what’s urgent, what’s inventory-related, what’s a quality task, and so on. It helps me mentally with group tasks and keeps me focused. 

What was your very first job and what did it teach you? 

My first job was when I was 16, I worked as a sales assistant in a small, independent clothing shop in Huntingdon. It wasn’t part of a chain, so the atmosphere was quite relaxed, and we had a lot of creative freedom. My friend and I got to dress the mannequins and organize displays, which I loved. It felt like we were curating our own little boutique. 

Looking back, that job taught me the value of independence. It was the first time I earned my own money, learned to be on time, and took real responsibility for my work. 

Later, I worked in a busier shop with a very different vibe. It was more structured, fast-paced, and you had to deal with all sorts of customers. It wasn’t always easy, but it really taught me how to stay calm under pressure and work as part of a team. 

If you could rename your job title to something more honest, what would it be? 

Probably something like “A Bit of Everything Co-ordinator” or “What Do You Need Me To Do Today?” 

That’s genuinely how my days feel, I might be handling office maintenance in the morning, then jumping into a quality change request, then helping someone order lab equipment. But I like it that way. The variety keeps me on my toes, and I get to work with every team at Qkine. It’s also helped me learn so much about how the company fits together. 

What’s a surprising fact about you that most colleagues wouldn’t know? 

Most people are surprised when they find out I'm in the Army Reserves, it’s not exactly the kind of thing that comes up during a conversation about lab inventory or email color-coding! 

I serve in the Adjutant General’s Corps, in a personnel and HR role. My job is to make sure all administrative details for our service members are accurate and up to date.

It’s all about making sure everything is ready behind the scenes so the individuals deploying and their families are fully supported and protected. 

And yes, I’ve completed basic soldier training! That includes field exercises, weapons handling, and all the basics you'd expect from military life. Last year, I was part of a training exercise in the United States, where I worked in operations but also joined some of the field training. I even flew in a Black Hawk and a Chinook helicopter, definitely a surreal but incredible experience. 

This year, I’ve been helping prepare for a deployment to another country, reviewing personnel files and making sure everything is ready. It’s a very different environment from my work at Qkine, but I really enjoy that contrast. It keeps life interesting. 

I actually got involved through my partner, now husband, who was already in the Reserves. I tagged along to a company dinner, started chatting to people, and before I knew it, I was signing up myself. I never saw myself in the military, especially being female, but now I can’t imagine not being part of it. 

There’s a real sense of purpose that comes with serving. Wearing the uniform reminds me that I’m part of something bigger and I think it gives me a unique perspective I carry into everything I do, even in my day job. 

What’s one piece of career advice you wish you’d received earlier? 

Be more confident and don’t worry so much. 

I think I’ve missed out on some opportunities in the past simply because I doubted myself. I’ve often relied on others to push me forward instead of doing it myself. Looking back, I wish I’d trusted my instincts more and believed that I belonged in the room. 

That feeling of not being enough is sadly quite common, especially among women. Maybe it’s shifting now for younger generations, and I really hope it is. For me, confidence came later. I try to pass that mindset on to my daughter now: don’t be afraid to try, and don’t be scared to fail. Failure isn’t something to be ashamed of, it’s where the learning happens. 

What was your first concert — and what kind of music gets you in the zone at work? 

My first concert was the Spice Girls, classic! I went with my dad, my uncle, and my cousin. I was a big fan of Sporty Spice back in the day. 

These days, I still love pop and dance music, artists like Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, and Harry Styles definitely help me focus. I usually pop on a playlist in the background to keep the energy up when I’m working (whilst trying not to sing out loud).

What inspired you to get into biotech? 

Honestly, I kind of fell into it. I’m not a scientist, my background is in operations and administration but my first proper job was at Babraham Biotech Technologies, now part of Babraham Research Campus. I later worked at the Babraham Institute, and then several other biotech companies based on campus. 

Over the years, I've learned how the industry works from the inside. I’ve mostly worked in small teams where you have to wear lots of hats and I love that. Supporting founders, managing the office, taking care of the day-to-day, I’ve been lucky to learn how all the different moving parts come together. 

Now, biotech just feels like home. Though maybe one day, I’ll explore a different industry. Never say never! 

What’s your ultimate brain fuel during busy days? 

It used to be biscuits, hands down. But recently I’ve made some healthier changes, including joining the Tuesday running group with colleagues. 

It’s not just about fitness; it’s also about getting outside, having a change of scene, and doing something together. Even if we don’t all run at the same pace, we start together and that sense of accountability helps keep us going. 

That fresh air and headspace really helps when work is hectic. 

We recently ran in the Chariots of Fire relay race in Cambridge which was a really good team bonding experience. 

Is there anything else you'd like to share — advice, a shoutout, or a thought about your journey so far? 

If I could share one message, it would be this: support each other. Be kind. Be encouraging. Especially when things go wrong. It’s easy to judge, but it’s far more powerful to help. 

I’ve always tried to live with a “give it a go” attitude. Whether that’s joining the Army Reserves, running in the rain, or even auditioning to be in the Olympic Closing Ceremony back in 2012, yes, I was really on tv for a couple of seconds! I believe in saying yes to things. 

You don’t have to be fearless, just willing to try. 

That’s the mindset I want to pass on to my daughter. Try. Fail. Learn. Try again. You don’t have to be perfect, just curious and open.