What's your name?
Julie Russell
What’s your Job title?
Lead technician laboratories
Describe your role in the University?
I lead a team of technicians providing support to research & teaching in science labs in the school of engineering.
When did you join the University of Glasgow?
I joined the university in 1996 after several years working at Strathclyde Uni, I have worked here for 25 years. I started working for the department of cardiology as a part time research technician, my role was to isolate cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells) for electrophysiology experiments, investigating the effect of drugs on heart tissue. I moved from there to Plant biology, extracting RNA from plant cells to investigate the role of light on plant growth.
I started work in the school of engineering in 2012, supporting various research projects in the environmental biotechnology lab, mostly involved in molecular biology work, working with DNA from environmental samples to investigate the role that microorganisms play in engineered environments, as well as supporting research in the biomedical engineering labs.
What projects are you currently working on?
Several of our labs are moving the newly built Advanced Research Centre (ARC) I have been involved with several of the lab moves but in particular the move of the Environmental lab. Its exciting and a bit daunting to be involved in packing up everything in a lab and starting in a new space that has been purpose built for these research groups. There is a lot of work to make sure that everything arrives in the correct space and is ready to start work soon after the move.
How has the University changed since you joined?
I have worked at the University for 25 years, it has become a more people centred and promotes and supports its staff better than it did when I started work here. New staff are given a formal induction and have a training plan, there is a probation period that is beneficial to staff and managers, it gives new starts the chance to request specific training and find their own place in the organisation.
Anything you would have done differently or advice you would give to others?
Working in a University is a great place to learn from others, get involved in different labs and research projects in the school, spend time getting to know technicians in other areas and see if you can develop your skills and find new training opportunities.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love spending time with my two dogs, nothing better than spending a day out walking with a dog, or two.
