The University provided the platform for me to excel towards a scientific and senior management role both in the public and private sector. Previously, during the Covid-19 pandemic, I was Acting Head of Life Sciences in addition to my substantive role.
In my previous role, I led a pan- European pathology service provider in London for the operational excellence of five divisions including a bespoke Harley Street breast clinic practice. The tutorials and group seminars at the University allowed me the confidence to confer and build my strong relationships with key eminent surgeons and key stakeholder partners. The University secured me the confidence to develop a natural presence, build high emotional intelligence, stay positive, resilient, flexible, adaptable and develop a confident personality. I became innovative, strategic, proactive, dynamic and adaptable to change. I became proficient with my interpersonal skills, both written and verbal. This has helped me tremendously with my sessional lecturing upon the UCL MSc External Cornea course. I developed thorough knowledge of Care Quality Commission, ISO standards 15189 (2012), Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations 2007, MHRA Requirements Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005. Moreover, I developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams to meet the expectations of my employers.
The University assisted towards my numeracy and analytical skills. I became adept and proficient, becoming a key member of all NHS/private IT steering panels. I was also privileged to have my audit report nominated in the top 10 NHS Clinical Governance Poster Presentation in 2019. The University provided me with organisation and planning skills. I was able to invest heavily upon contingency and disaster planning. Therefore, when the Covid-19 pandemic commenced, my disaster plan was initiated swiftly. I was honoured to have then assisted the North Central London region and PHSE with SARS-2-Cov-19 testing. I successfully led my NHS trusts validation and implementation of SARS-2-Cov-19 testing and assisted in the operational excellence of all UK urgent ocular surgeries. I am privileged to manage a department that won my NHS Trust’s Team of the Year award 2022. I am honoured to be a Healthcare Science Ambassador with Health Education England,thus able to share my knowledge and experiences to the next cohort of ambitious scientists.