STEM is a term used to encompass everything relating to Science,Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Most see STEM as a set of educational programmes to encourage students to take related subjects at school which progress them into STEM careers. STEM is more than this, it is a greater philosophy of how these subjects interconnect with industries, communities, and individuals to advance quality of life and economic growth.
Due to these benefits, STEM has been an area of special interest for governments, educational bodies, and companies in recent years. Trends show there is a significant skills shortage in STEM areas, not just in the UK but world-wide. The world's biggest challenges such as climate change, energy security and resource shortages all require problem solvers and creative thinkers from the STEM community. The UK Government has seen the importance that STEM has on the country's future, therefore has invested £179m in PhD programmes but also developed education programme partnerships such as Science Learning Partnerships{1}.
The most well-known aspect of STEM are the school programmes which span all age groups in education with the overall goal being to increase awareness and resources for future generations to pursue a career in STEM {2}. Furthermore, programmes are reaching out to ensure accessibility to STEM careers for those that are underrepresented in STEM industries. One example is the WISE Campaign which is encouraging more women into science, technology, engineering, manufacture, and construction careers from classroom to boardroom {3}.
The Cavell Street Project covers all elements of STEM. Being a life science building, most people's preconception might be an image of scientists with test tubes andBunsen burners, like a secondary school science class. The reality is that the facility is designed to ensure collaboration across Scientists, Technologists, Engineers, and Mathematicians. This might lead to the creation of new biotechnology implants for hearts or the next vaccine platform technology such as mRNA. It could even be statisticians researching DNA sequencing, or the development of personalised treatments for rare forms of cancers.The Life Science sector is changing rapidly and so will the operations in Cavell Street Laboratories. One thing is certain, Cavell Street will be a space for future generations; for those just starting to think about STEM careers, the next great minds whose creations will ultimately bring benefit to those in TowerHamlets, the UK and beyond.
What is your name, age, and where are you from?
My name is Saphira, I am 21 years old, I am from London.
Tell us a little about yourself- what are your passions and hobbies outside of work and study?
Outsideof studying I enjoy crochet. I taught myself to crochet last year. I like visiting protected parks in London, like the Japanese Garden in Holland Park.
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in life sciences, and what specific area are you interested in?
I have a whole story about it. When I was in primary school, I wore glasses for a few years. I had to go to the hospital quite frequently to put an eye patch. My right eye was my strong eye, and the left was a weak eye. They put an eye patch on my weak eye and made me use my strong eye, so this is how I got interested in ophthalmology. As I got into secondary school I heard about paediatrics, and I thought about being a paediatrician and doing medicine and then I did my A level and I thought I would apply for biomedical sciences because that would give me more options. Later, I decided to do a course that no one had heard about - medical genetics.
What skills and knowledge have you gained through your education that have been useful in your current role?
I thought it is quite interesting because I am learning more and more every day. You need quite a set of skills that you develop in your junior GCSE and A levels, like group class work, as you have assignments with your peers. I really enjoy them because I had so much practice.
Are there any programming or educational initiatives that you think could benefit the life sciences community?
I think it would be good to have more pathways todo courses like dentistry and dermatology, because to become a dermatologist you must do medicine first, I think it is one of the longest careers to achieve. I know people who are able, but it puts them off. I have heard there are access courses to becoming a nurse, where you can learn and work at the same time. It would be great to have it replicated for other courses.
How do you think life science organisations can better support early-career researchers and professionals?
I think just by making more students aware of the careers that are possible. The thing is when I was at school everyone talked about medicine and dentistry as kind of better degrees, no one ever mentioned other creative paths. To make people aware of all the options that are available to you is important. I didn’t even know Bioanalysis existed!
What types of infrastructure or resources do you think are most important for life science researchers to have access to?
I think the best thing so far is online resources.Nature and Science Daily are the ones I use the most as they offer a lot of resources and updates. Also, I think it would be nice to have an in person public space where you can go and see articles, read books, like some sort of library with a study space and with live updates on the screen. Like a Teaching Collection near UCL.
Do you think that more collaboration between academia, industry, and government is needed to advance the life sciences field? If so, how do you think this collaboration could be fostered?
I think that it is important so you can update the courses. Science progresses. Any new information should be put through to the school board, as long as it is reliable.
How do you think the life sciences industry can better support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives?
Honestly just by putting more information about women and people of colour who have made differences in science. Because I did not really know of many, in school you are just taught about this man did this that man did that. And nothing mentioned about the women who were involved.
Can you describe a project you have worked on that you are particularly proud of, and how it has contributed to the field of life sciences?
This links to a previous question. It is not really a project but more of an assignment I did last year for my module in Evolution.I had to find someone, not a privileged white male in science who made a difference or contributed knowledge to the evolution field, so I found quite a few women. It is sad, they were not given credit for that, even though they were known to discover something.
How do you stay up-to-date with developments and advancements in the field of life sciences, and what resources do you rely on for this information?
So I rely on online resources, I know you can subscribe to physical magazines. Online I am finding all the references for my assignments.
In your opinion, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the life sciences industry today?
I have heard a lot about how junior doctors are protesting, because their pay is not enough. I completely understand where there are coming from. Obviously, they do a five-year course and then extra years after and they have to pay after that as well. I think the challenge will be the low pay.Also, because everyone talks about inflation, how are they supposed to pay if their wages are not increasing.
I would say that the opportunity is that there is a health research programme called ‘our Future Health’ that is in partnership with NHS. They are taking volunteers, currently there are millions from the UK, because they are predicting that there will be a much higher percentage of people with cancer and other diseases. They are trying to find out how they can prevent that in the future and to find better treatments. So,I think there is a lot more opportunities for upcoming students.
What advice would you give to students and young professionals interested in pursuing a career in life sciences?
I would say even though you have a specific career you are looking for, always keep your options open. Even if you focus on careers such as dentistry, have backup options. I know people that have applied for dentistry, they got degrees and everything, but they did not get in and did not know what to do afterwards.I would also say even if you do not have a career in mind look through and seethings that could interest you. Don’t undervalue skills you gained at your GCSE levels, not the content, because you would need them in the future.
What is your name, age, and where are you from?
My name is Eniola Olabode, but most people call me Eni, and I’m a final yearBiomedical Science student. I am originally from Nigeria but moved to the UK when I was 10 years old.
Tell us a little about yourself- what are your passions and hobbies outside of work and study?
I am very advantageous - I like to try new things, for example this year one of my goals is to learn how to speak Hebrew. Being exposed to all these different activities and societies helps me learn outside of my education, for example I now know how to do a risk assessment for events.
What inspired you to pursue a career in life sciences, and what specific area are you interested in?
My inspiration for a career in life science (and science in general) started in secondary school; and I think my teachers made an impact in this. I loved my science lessons specifically physics and biology– the teachers made the lessons very fun. I also felt like I could ask them anything and they would explain it in a way that I would understand. The area I am particularly interested in is paediatric global health.
What skills and knowledge have you gained through your education that have been useful in your current role?
Thinking outside the box, not believing everything at face value (a good bit of advice - one of my lecturers gave was that just because its in an article doesn’t mean you have to believe it). The major skill for me is probably problem solving; looking at things from a different aspect and drawing information from different sources to help solve a problem. Even with the exams they give us they teach us the knowledge and we have to learn how to apply that knowledge. Finding ways to apply that knowledge and using different skills to do this is probably one of the biggest things I have learnt in my degree.
Are there any programming or educational initiatives that you think could benefit the life sciences community?
I think especially for me as I am not in a job setting yet and I am just finishing my degree, if I had an opportunity when I was younger to be exposed to other avenues that I could take like radiography and clinical genetics (those more niche degrees). Even coming into university, it's either Medicine or Research – all the modules we can do can lead us to different places and knowing this prior would have been a huge help. People who work in these niche sectors coming into schools and speaking to students would expose them prior to having to choose at university and they would know what they would need to do to get there (instead of feeling that they only have two options)
How do you think life science organisations can better support early-career researchers and professionals?
Exposure at an early age to different opportunities, not just research and medicine. Also access to these resources as many of the journals require paid subscriptions or school emails. Students don’t have a lot of many so perhaps these resources should have free subscriptions or just be a bit cheaper.
Do you think that more collaboration between academia, industry, and government is needed to advance the life sciences field? If so, how do you think this collaboration could be fostered?
Yes, each ‘sector’ brings a unique perspective, and bringing the ideas together is beneficial to society. For example, government see this from a wider perspective i.e how is this going to affect this community/country as a whole whereas life scientists tend to look at things analytically. This collaboration would require transparency from all parties, commitment, and willingness to change.
How do you think the life sciences industry can better support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives?
First take the time to establish what these demographics needs, and how they can support them. If there is a demographic, then getting academics to go to these schools and exposing children earlier –most chances these kids don’t know what job role it is or what opportunities are out there if they have never been exposed. Using prevalent figures in these communities to get these messages across as most likely someone that the community can relate to, they will listen to rather than a scientist.
Can you describe a project you have worked on that you are particularly proud of, and how it has contributed to the field of life sciences?
My final year project at Centre of the Cell in the Blizard Institute is a project I am extremely proud of. It involved me developing a curriculum-linked tabletop activity and blog for school students.It was really interesting getting to know the requirements of students and identifying ways my project could meet those requirements. I was able to take two topics that can be considered dull to study and develop activities so students can learn in a more engaging and fun way. It was challenging trying to learn way to teach kids how to understand something they don’t know – coming up with analogies was challenging at first, but then looking back and improving each time made it easier!
How do you stay up to date with developments and advancements in the field of life sciences, and what resources do you rely on for this information?
Follow science-related pages on Instagram, TikTok, snapchat based around science. Subscribed to societies e.g., Royal Society ofBiology since secondary school. Sometimes attending events that I can find out through societies and social media.
How do you see your career in the life sciences industry evolving in the future, and what are your goals?
I want to learn how to code and want to work in an environment that allows me to combine my interest in coding/tech and paediatric global health.
What advice would you give to students and young professionals interested in pursuing a career in life sciences?
Don’t be afraid to try out new things, explore new careers (even if you have never tried anything from that sector before). Your journey might not look the same as other people, and that is fine and don’t be afraid to ask for help, utilise the resources around you.
What is your name, age, and where are you from?
My name is Kaya, I am 26 years old, and I am originally from London.
Tell us a little about yourself- what are your passions and hobbies outside of work and study?
So I am quite creative, I like going to art galleries, making pottery, painting, cooking.
What inspired you to pursue a career in life sciences, and what specific area are you interested in?
I have always been interested in science because I like finding solutions.Especially as I did BCs in pharmacology, and I enjoyed it. It is like putting a puzzle piece together, I find it fascinating. I come from a Cardiovascular background; I think it was quite accidental. I did a master’s at Bristol inPharmacology and I did a PhD at Queen Mary recently and it was funded byBritish Heart Foundation. Now I do all the diseases, just science really.
What skills and knowledge have you gained through your education that have been useful in your current role?
I think the number one for me it is presentations.When I look back at the beginning even at my BCs, writing millions of words on slides - now it is streamed lined and so easy. Maybe a soft skill – perseverance.In the lab it is very difficult, and you need a lot of self-motivation and that is quite useful in my career now because if I push myself I get more out of it eventually.
Are there any programming or educational initiatives that you think could benefit the life sciences community?
I thought this question was quite interesting. I am not sure about programming. At my company, I work for a life science strategy consultancy. And they do quite a lot of outreach events, like ‘The Switch’. Corporate companies going to local primary and secondary schools and doing CV and cover letter writing workshops is very beneficial. Ingraining and showing kids the opportunities that they have in Life Sciences kind of directs them to the subjects they want to take at universities. So, I think that is quite important, just basically educating people to what is available, and the next steps you can take to get into Life Sciences, because Life Sciences is huge, there is so much to do: academia, industry, government, everything.
How do you think life science organisations can better support early-career researchers and professionals?
I think the big buzz words in the corporate world are learning and development. So just offering things outside your main tasks, for example learning how to code, which is a big thing at the moment. And within academia I think you need to encourage people to attend workshops, I know QueenMary do host these events like programming. I did attend one online during lockdown at university of Edinburgh. Maybe even if it is not applicable to you at the time but if they are available then you should use them. I had no idea I would start using coding a year later when I was doing the course.
What types of infrastructure or resources do you think are most important for life science researchers to have access to?
There is so much available, especially within careers, all these blogs, academia, and LinkedIn. LinkedIn has changed my life it is so good. It got me my dream job. I use it as social media, connecting with people.Other recourses for academics – making papers open access. I had to pay to read my own paper. That is the issue with the publishers.
Do you think that more collaboration between academia, industry, and government is needed to advance the life sciences field? If so, how do you think this collaboration could be fostered?
Yes, because at the moment academia, industry and government they all are separate and compartmentalised, but they all have the same aim which is health care and to provide treatments to patients who need them. I think there needs to be more collaboration as there are so many restrictions. Industry has all the money and selling the drugs and the government is kind of restricting it especially the UK government. The academics are kind of left behind and I think forgotten often. The academics are the reason why the drugs exist in the first place. So I think more collaboration would be beneficial, but it is quite political.
How do you think the life sciences industry can better support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives?
From my personal experience there are more and more companies are focusing on it or at least have some sort of resource groups. But it is whether they actually action on it or not. So in my previous company which I am not going to name they had that like diversity and inclusion group but they did not do anything with it. We never had any seminars and things like that. In my current company they do an event once a month and they are actively trying to encourage more people form different diverse background to join, which makes really inclusive environment.We had someone came in to speak about inclusion. Having discussions about it is important. Queen Mary is great at this.
Can you describe a project you have worked on that you are particularly proud of, and how it has contributed to the field of life sciences?
What I am working on at the moment, which is in spinal muscular atrophy, which is a very rare disease, which means that it has are ally tight community. Only 1 in 10000 people have it. What is nice is that we are working with a company who has the drug already available, and treatment only became available 7 years ago. When you go to conferences it is not just people form companies and academia but the actual patients are there as well. It is really nice to be part of.. You can see first-hand how the project (drug) you are working on is benefiting people.
How do you stay up-to-date with developments and advancements in the field of life sciences, and what resources do you rely on for this information?
FiercePharma.com – is amazing. I only found out about it a year ago, the lingo is quite simple. News-wise is the best one. But I also like The Pharma Letter LinkedIn of course!
In your opinion, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the life sciences industry today?
I would say one of the biggest opportunities is AI, I know it is so cliché. ChatGPT changed the way I work personally. I know it is not restricted to Life Sciences. I used to be an analyst writing market reports and ChatGPT pretty much wrote it for me. So, embracing AI, research started to use it as well, creating compute models for disease and reduce for animals and need for human in clinical research. I think this is a huge opportunity embracing AI technology that we have. The challenge is how to use it appropriately. Another challenge is merging academia and government and the industry.
How do you see your career in the life sciences industry evolving in the future, and what are your goals?
I am definitely going to stay in Life Sciences I love it. I really wanted to be a consultant and now I am on and I am really enjoying it. I am excited to see where it goes.I am in a good position; I can stay in this field and do really fund exciting stuff or I can maybe go into Big Pharma and work directly with big companies and work within strategy cycles. I am not planning to go back to academia, butI have still the connections.
What advice would you give to students and young professionals interested in pursuing a career in life sciences?
Start early, do as many things as you can to get an idea what you actually want to do and also engage with workshops or career days and meet people. One of the useful resources is workshops that companies offer. If you meet someone there before applying for a job your chances of getting that application even noticed are so much higher. I got rejected by so many places because they did not even read my CV. So much about it is about networking. Connect with people onLinkedIn, ask them questions, including questions about the company ‘culture’ and if they enjoy(ed) working there.
How STEM are you? STEM is a term used to encompass everything relating toScience, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Find out how much you know!
{1} Multi-million government investment in the future of UK science - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
{3} WISE - Diversity I Inclusion I Change
National Human Genome Research Institute
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A key part of the vision for 100 Cavel Street is our commitment to delivering meaningful community benefits as part of the development. The scheme will work closely with the local community to deliver a long-term legacy for local community in Whitechapel and TowerHamlets.
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