Could you please give a brief synopsis of your Ph.D thesis?
It’s been a while ago, but briefly….

I investigated the effects of agitation and sparging bubbles on the growth, metabolism and antibody production of hybridoma cells. These cells are important for the production of therapeutic antibodies and it was the beginning of the era of the use of animal cells for the production of biologics.

How have postgraduate studies influenced your career?
Yes, it gave me a head start at the start of the biomanufacturing of antibodies as a therapeutic. This experience helps me to develop the Bioprocessing Technology Institute’s research programme in stem cells and also establish collaborations with companies.

How do you use the skills that you acquired during your postgraduate training in your current profession?
Developing new and scaleable bioprocesses for the production of therapeutic stem cells and supervision of staff and students. We also run a Bioprocess Internship programme giving hands-on experience to graduates before they go into industry.

What advice would you give to current students studying on your degree programme?
Unfortunately, that whole Chemical Engineering Department in Birmingham is no longer involved in animal cell bioprocessing and has been disbanded a decade ago. However, stem cell bioprocessing will become an important piece of the puzzle in future regenerative medicine with stem cells.