Profile
Sophie Strickfuss
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About Me:
I live in Hertford with my husband and my 2 daughters and our puppy! I spend my free time running, reading, and knitting.
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I am originally from France and I first came to the UK to complete a BSc in Chemistry following a 2 year chemistry degree in France. I then decided I wanted to study further so I remained in the UK to complete a PhD in chemistry at Bristol University. Since then, I have been working in the pharmaceutical industry, supporting the development of new drugs. When I am not at work, I love running (half marathon is my favorite distance), reading, especially travel journals, and knitting and crochet. I have always had dogs until recently, and we hope to get a new puppy towards the end of the year.
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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My Work:
I work in pharmaceutical research and development, as part of a team that develops the new chemical processes to make new drugs. I manage a team of analytical chemists who develop new methods to analyse the drug substance. Our job helps to make sure the drug substance is of high quality and safe for the patient.
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I work in pharmaceutical research and development, as part of a team that develops the new chemical processes to make new drugs that are then used in Safety or Clinical studies. I manage a team of analytical chemists who develop new methods to analyse the drug substance. We use many different techniques and equipment, and the work we do is very exciting as no-one has ever done what we try to do! Our job helps to make sure the drug substance is of high quality and safe for the patient.
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My Typical Day:
I wake early so I can have breakfast with my family. I work from 8 to 5:00. I attend meetings to discuss the plans for our projects, and I review the work my team has completed to make sure everything is correct (it usually is!). I spend most of my days with my team, helping them, discussing technical problem, planning work, training them. Everyday is different as we never know what kind of technical problems we might need to solve!
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I wake early so I can have breakfast with my family. I work from 8 to 5:00 and I have some flexibility so I can start earlier/later, as long as I work the hours I should be working! I attend regular meetings to discuss the plans for our projects with the process chemists who are the team making the drug substances, and I review the work my team has completed to make sure everything is correct (it usually is!). As a manager, my main role is to support my team so I spend most of my days with them, helping them, discussing technical problem, planning work, training them. I do not do lab work anymore but I try and go and talk to people in the lab to make sure they are OK. Everyday is different as we never know what kind of technical problems we might need to solve!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would want the prize money to be used towards science communication.
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Education:
IUT Robert Schuman (French Technical University)
Tesside University
University of Bristol
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Qualifications:
Baccalaureat (equivalent to A-Levels)
DUT in chemistry (French 2-year long technical degree)
BSc(Hons) Chemistry
PhD in Chemistry
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Work History:
While I was at University, I worked as a tutor in Maths and Chemistry, and as a Library assistant. During the summer, I worked as a bank employee, and as a Scientist, first for a small company that manufactured custom chemicals, then for Teesside University.
Since completing my PhD, I have been working in the pharmaceutical industry, first for MSD, an American company, where I started as Senior Development Scientist then got promoted to Associate Principal Scientist. I then worked for GSK where I was a New Product Introduction Analytical Lead, then an Analytical Specialists Manager.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Dog-loving chemist
What did you want to be after you left school?
I wanted to be a teacher when I was little.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No, I was always very good.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Elton John
What's your favourite food?
Fish
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Have more free time, a house full of dogs, being able to say no to cake!
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