What do you do at Qkine? 

I’m the Vice President of Scientific Operations, and my role is quite varied, which I really enjoy. I originally joined Qkine around three and a half years ago to help develop the lab areas and grow the scientific teams. Back then, the company was much smaller: a team of five people working out of a very small lab space. 

Manufacturing and R&D were heavily overlapping, simply because of size and space constraints. One of my early goals was to grow the teams, build expertise, and separate functions while still keeping collaboration strong. Interestingly, on my second day at Qkine, I was shown this building when it was still an empty shell, so I’ve been involved from the very early stages of building what we have today. 

Because we’re still a growing company, collaboration is essential. If manufacturing needs support, R&D steps in, and vice versa. And sometimes that means I’m helping with big-picture planning, other times it’s stock takes. That flexibility and teamwork are a big part of what makes Qkine work. 

What was the moment you knew this was the career for you? 

I don’t think there was a single moment; it was more a gradual journey into bioscience. I grew up in a rural farming area; my dad, his brothers, and my grandfather were all farmers. At school, I was drawn to biology, especially genetics, which probably links back to that farming background and ideas like selective breeding. 

When it came to university, I was torn between computer science and biology. I liked maths, computers, and biology, but genetics won. I studied a dual honours degree in genetics and microbiology, without any clear idea of where it would lead. I certainly didn’t set out to become a VP of Scientific Operations, I wouldn’t even have known what that meant at the time. 

After university, I moved to Cambridge to work as a Molecular Biologist and spent over a decade properly learning science hands-on. While working in a university-based environment, I managed to persuade my company to sponsor me through a part-time PhD in molecular biology, something I’m still very proud of. 

From there, I moved through very different scientific environments: antibodies at Abcam, stem cell research at the Sanger Institute, and eventually back to proteins and growth factors at Qkine. Each step was different, but what I learned is that if you have a solid scientific mindset, you can apply it across disciplines, even if it means feeling uncomfortable at first. 

What’s a totally unrelated skill that makes you better at your job? 

I’m naturally quite meticulous; I like things done to a high standard, which is important when building processes and teams. I’ve also been told I’m a good delegator, which is essential at this level. Giving responsibility helps people become independent, confident, and invested in their work. 

Any unusual collections, talents, or party tricks? 

My wife and I collect Lego figureheads, mostly Star Wars characters. And yes, I also received a Thanos gauntlet for Christmas, which slightly expanded the collection beyond Star Wars. 

If you could tell your 22-year-old self one thing, what would it be? 

Two things, really. First, resist the urge to lock yourself into a single path too early. The early years of your career are an incredible time to cast a wide net, learn fast, and figure out what you truly enjoy. 

Second, don’t be your own harshest critic. And from a career perspective: drive your own path. One of my early managers once asked me, “Are you the driver or the passenger of your career?” That stuck with me. 

You can’t wait for opportunities to simply appear. That mindset is what led me to pursue a part-time PhD, I researched it, developed a proposal, and asked. The worst answer you can get is no. Two of my own direct reports later took the same initiative, which I am incredibly proud of. 

What’s the proudest professional moment of your career? 

Completing my PhD is definitely one, doing it part-time over five years while working wasn’t easy. Another is stepping into leadership roles I never expected to hold. 

When I joined Qkine, I never imagined leading large teams. It’s easy to feel imposter syndrome when you step into those roles, but building and developing teams and seeing how Scientific Operations has matured alongside the company is something I take real pride in. 

Who helped shape your career the most, and how? 

I’ve been fortunate to have supportive line managers throughout my career, people who stood up for me, challenged me, and promoted my ideas. That kind of support makes a huge difference. 

Now, I try to create that same environment for others. I want people to feel comfortable around me, to joke, to challenge ideas, and to be themselves. Leadership doesn’t mean being intimidating. Respect can come from kindness, trust, and approachability. 

What’s your favourite science joke? 

Why can’t you trust atoms? 
Because they make up everything. 

What’s one lesson you’ve learned from a failure that still sticks with you? 

Nothing dramatic comes to mind, but one lesson stands out: if you believe in something, fight your corner. Understand other perspectives, but don’t just accept things quietly and complain later. 

Be brave enough to say no, or to say something isn’t right. Trust your experience. There’s no point being unhappy about a situation if you never tried to change it. 

If your career were a board game, what would it be called? 

Day by Day: A Scientific Campaign.