Faces in Science
Published: 10 November 2023
This months Faces in Science feature is from Wendy Beattie
In this newsletter, Wendy Beattie has answered some questions for Faces in Science.
What is your job within SCMH?
I’m a senior research technician – when I started here 17 years ago, I was mainly working on molecular techniques (DNA/protein/RNA, including some large scale microarray projects) however as I moved to work with new groups, my role morphed into one which involves me mainly supporting in-vivo projects for various PI’s (although I do still feel at my happiest when I’m setting up a 384-well Taqman plate!). As well as doing the usual core-technical duties, I co-ordinate the training of specialised techniques for PIL holders within the School.
What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
There are so many things I love about my job (my husband jokes that I’d keep working, even if we were to win the lottery!) I love the challenge of learning new things – as the PI’s needs change, so does the skill set of the technician. We have to be versatile and adaptable to keep up with the latest technique needed, and I’ve often been pushed beyond my comfort zone as a result. I love the fact that every day is different – there are always such a variety of tasks to be completed, and each requires a different approach, so monotony is not something that happens here! I really enjoy training people too – it definitely consolidates your own knowledge on a subject, particularly when the trainees ask lots of questions, so you have to stay on top of the latest developments in the techniques you show others. I love working with and chatting to new people – we have such a rich pool of amazing characters here (now, and over the years), and I think it’s amazing to get to know them as individuals. I’m also fortunate to call so many of them friends too.
I’m also enjoying seeing the visible profile of a technician change – we haven’t always been acknowledged as co-authors in publications, so it’s been great to see that change beginning to happen, and for more and more PI’s to recognise our contributions, to value our role and the support we give to the smoother running of their projects (and the subsequent publications they achieve). I appreciate this won’t be the case for every technician tho, and not every PI will acknowledge their technicians in this way, so I hope this change will soon become the norm for everyone.
What are you most proud of having been part of during your time in SCMH?
Working towards and getting an MSc (by research) – it was a hard slog, particularly as I hadn’t really appreciated how much work writing a thesis would take, however with the brilliant support of Dr Delyth Graham & Dr Martin McBride (and also Ernest & Julio Gallo!) I got there. I also got to see my mum look proudly at every single page of my thesis (even tho she had no idea what any of it meant) which made it all worthwhile.
Seeing students grow in confidence when I’ve been training them – not all techniques come naturally to everyone, so seeing them persevere until they’re able to work independently is amazing
I’m also proud of the fact that I’m still employed here after 17 years – starting off as grant funded technician, there was never any guarantee of having a continued position, so even tho it took 15 years to achieve a core post, I’ve obviously not done anything catastrophic over the years to warrant my dismissal!
First published: 10 November 2023