Councilor

I first started using and maintaining a MoFlo cell sorter during my PhD (Clinical Engineering,
University of Liverpool, 2001-2005). This was my first contact with flow cytometry and I was incredibly fortunate to have several friendly experienced cytometrists that I could call with any question, however minor. I would not have ventured into a career in cytometry if it had not had not been for these people, who gave up their time to teach me cytometry and impart their wisdom. Bitten by the flow cytometry bug, I realised after my PhD that I did not want to pursue a career as post-doctoral researcher and instead wanted to use the skills I had learnt in analysing and sorting cells. This led me to pursue a career in SRLs engaging with scientists, offering the best service to all, and I became involved with the flow community. My first job was as a ‘Senior Technical Officer: Flow Cytometry Specialist’ at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, later moving within the University in 2007 to establish, grow, nurture, and manage the flow cytometry core at the Wellcome Trust MRC Centre for Stem Cell Research, where I remained for 5 years. My community involvement was initially with the Cambridge cytometry network establishing the Mid-Anglia Cytometry Club in 2005; becoming a co-founder of flowcytometryUK in 2006, and working with ISAC from 2010. This has led to me becoming a prominent figure in the flow cytometry community.

I moved to Babraham Institute, Cambridge, to become their Head of Flow Cytometry in 2012. I have successfully expanded the core from a 2 person, 4 instrument lab to a 6 person, 17 instrument core, serving not only Babraham Institute scientists, but also over 30 external biotech companies. In addition, I have set up collaborations with cytometry companies to beta test instruments, including with Propel Labs’ YETI and Bigfoot instruments. My 16 years’ experience of SRL management has given me a wealth of knowledge in day-to-day running of a lab and as a line manager. Throughout my career I have been active in supporting other scientists, especially those new to cytometry, through internal seminars, formal training courses, arranging for work shadowing, and answering questions on the Purdue Cytometry List. I hold regular flow cytometry training courses (currently virtual) with Derek Davies, through which we have trained over 1000 scientists since 2014. I have recently become an Associate Editor for Current Protocols in Cytometry.