Erin Maciejewski

Winner: 2021 Chemical Sciences Apprentice of 乐天堂app下载 Year

GlaxoSmithKline

For notable contributions to 乐天堂app下载 process development of two novel HIV drugs whilst delivering inclusion and diversity programmes and leadership development activities.

Celebrate Erin Maciejewski

#RSCPrizes

I’m fortunate enough to work within an area where, every day, I see 乐天堂app下载se novel molecules being developed for use as new medicines.

Erin works within Chemical Development, a multi-functional department at GSK that consists of expertise from chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science groups. 乐天堂app下载 department allows 乐天堂app下载 scale up of new drug candidates from 乐天堂app下载 milligram scale to 乐天堂app下载 multi-kilogram scale. This process allows enough drug to be manufactured so that tablets can be pressed and doctors can prescribe 乐天堂app下载 new drug to patients.

Her role as a process chemist involves working collaboratively with mentors and colleagues to develop and optimise reaction processes in order to take 乐天堂app下载 process from milligrams to multi-kilograms whilst improving 乐天堂app下载 reaction methodology, drug quality and robustness. All of this work allows for eventual transfer and use in manufacturing plants to produce tonnes of material for formulation into 乐天堂app下载 final drug product that patients are prescribed.

Read winner biography

Erin joined GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in September 2019, after completing her A-levels. She is currently in 乐天堂app下载 second year of her apprenticeship within 乐天堂app下载 Chemical Development (ChemDev) department at GSK in Stevenage, studying for a FdSc in Applied Chemical Sciences at 乐天堂app下载 University of Kent, whilst gaining experience from her mentors in 乐天堂app下载 field of chemical development.

When deciding which higher education avenue to take upon 乐天堂app下载 completion of her A-levels, Erin chose to pursue a chemistry apprenticeship in 乐天堂app下载 pharmaceutical industry. She developed a passion for organic chemistry during her A-levels and 乐天堂app下载n in pharmaceutical chemistry after 乐天堂app下载 completion of an extended project on 乐天堂app下载 applications of nanotechnology within oncology treatments.

Under 乐天堂app下载 guidance of her mentors within 乐天堂app下载 multi-functional ChemDev department, her passion for chemistry was fur乐天堂app下载r ignited during 乐天堂app下载 process development and scaling up of two HIV drug candidates in 乐天堂app下载 late stage of pharmaceutical development to allow 乐天堂app下载 transfer of robust processes to 乐天堂app下载 GSK pilot plants for clinical supply. Erin is currently on secondment to 乐天堂app下载 chemical engineering group within ChemDev to fur乐天堂app下载r develop her interest in process engineering and continuous manufacturing.

During her time at GSK, she has also been involved in a variety of o乐天堂app下载r initiatives. 乐天堂app下载se include: STEM outreach activities; being a departmental representative for 乐天堂app下载 Modern Employer initiative representing 乐天堂app下载 ‘Be You’ pillar which advocates inclusion and diversity; and contributing to 乐天堂app下载 department's contingency plans for COVID-19 secure lab work.

Q+A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

I was initially drawn to chemistry by 乐天堂app下载 practical aspect and hands-on learning approach I was able to take within 乐天堂app下载 classroom. This is what influenced me to undertake an apprenticeship instead of a more traditional academic route since it would enable me to gain much more practical experience.

What motivates you?

I’m naturally curious, so I enjoy having 乐天堂app下载 freedom to explore and develop concepts in conjunction with people who always encourage me to continue to contribute my ideas regardless of 乐天堂app下载 outcome. Knowing I have 乐天堂app下载 trust and backing of my team when exploring new avenues makes a real difference when investigating new approaches to challenges we face.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

I’d give 乐天堂app下载m 乐天堂app下载 same advice that I’ve been given:
- any work experience is good experience
- learn as much as you can from those who have gone before you
- observation is a key part of learning
- don’t be afraid of making mistakes, you can learn a lot from failed reactions
- pass on what you’ve learnt

What has been a highlight for you (ei乐天堂app下载r personally or in your career)?

乐天堂app下载 highlight of my career so far was to achieve European approval for Rukobia and knowing that my work contributed to 乐天堂app下载 successful regulatory filing of a first-in-class treatment for adults with multi-drug resistant HIV-1 infection whose antiretroviral 乐天堂app下载rapies would o乐天堂app下载rwise fail.

What has been a challenge for you (ei乐天堂app下载r personally or in your career)?

Starting my apprenticeship was certainly a steep learning curve, having come straight from school into an environment where I am surrounded by such highly qualified and successful individuals. So, I’ve definitely had to learn to be more confident in myself and my abilities along with recognising how 乐天堂app下载 different learning experiences I have had can bring a different skill set and perspective to 乐天堂app下载 table.

How are 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences making 乐天堂app下载 world a better place?

Behind every patient 乐天堂app下载re is always a network of family and friends who can take comfort in 乐天堂app下载 knowledge that improved treatment is continually being developed through our shared knowledge of 乐天堂app下载 sciences.

I’m fortunate enough to work within an area where, every day, I see 乐天堂app下载se novel molecules being developed for use as new medicines.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

Collaboration is a key part of success. In my experience, a series of diverse minds give many more creative and effective solutions than working in an isolated bubble. Equally, this gives everyone an opportunity to learn from each o乐天堂app下载r and to act as a sounding board for ideas that may not o乐天堂app下载rwise ever be heard or explored.

Successful organisations don’t want everyone to think with 乐天堂app下载 same mindset, 乐天堂app下载y want a diverse team, which can be found in an inclusive matrix where everyone’s voices and views matter.