Profile – ChemCareers Zone

Education:

I went to Soham Village College (1980-85), then Cambridge College of Arts and Technology (1985-87) and then De Montford University (1987-1990). I decided to go back to learn a new subject and went to University of Hertfordshire (1997-2000)
Qualifications:

I have 13 O’levels (these were what you got before GCSEs!), and 4 A levels. I have a degree (BSc) in Chemistry and Mathematics and a masters degree (MSc) in Pharmacology and Toxicology
Work History:

I have worked in a chemical factory designing and making glue and fertillizer, I have worked in a company which makes the drips (intravenous infusions) they put in your arm when you are ill in hospital (I used check to make sure the right ingredients had been added – and I made some dummy ones to use in TV programmes like Casualty etc), and I have worked in pharmaceutical companies.
Current Job:

I am currently Director of Regulatory Affairs – It is a grand title but basically I talk with health authorities all over the world to ask them to allow us to sell our medicines in their countries having done the right clinical trials first.

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In my everyday job I work out how to get people the medicines they need by talking with health authorities in different countries in the world to find out what information they want about the medicine. I then use this information to write strategies and plan clinical studies so we can find out how well a medicine works and whether it is safe for people to take. It is a really exciting job and I get to travel to places all over the world and meet very interesting people. There are some pictures below from my travels.

One of the things I like to do in my spare time is help people to find a job or career pathway by getting them to look differently at their degree. So for example, if you have a degree in chemistry, you don’t have to stand at a lab bench all day, you can work in brewing or cake making or medicine or even in childrens toys where knowledge about how materials work is very important. Some colleagues of mine were recently made redundant and I worked with them to get them other jobs by suggesting new things they can do with a chemistry degree.
What I'd do with the prize money:

Show young people that chemistry is not all about laboratories

Angela Stokes