The North East Innovation Lab teamed up with Northumbria University for a women in STEM event to mark International Women’s Day on Wednesday 8 March.
Amanda Winter, diagnostic evaluation healthcare scientist at the lab, was among those who spoke at the event to help inspire graduates into the field of science.
“I decided to do a STEM degree because I’d always been interested in science and healthcare, and there were lots of employment opportunities in the field,” she said.
“I was fortunate enough to be selected for a placement opportunity at the Freeman Hospital during my degree, which really helped to shape my career. I really enjoyed doing tests in the lab and helping to solve clinical problems made me feel like a detective!”
The placement also supported Amanda in gaining qualifications which helped her to join the profession when she graduated.
Amanda has worked in the NHS for over ten years and originally trained in microbiology and virology.
Prior to joining the team she worked as a biomedical scientist specialising in haematology and transplantation science. On gaining her MSc in biomedical science, Amanda became a methodologist at the National Institute for Health Research Newcastle In-vitro Diagnostics Co-operative.
In her role in the lab Amanda supports all aspects of the design and delivery of research and evaluation including study design, protocol development, participant identification and recruitment, and provides specific methodological expertise to the team.
Women in the North East Innovation Lab team work in a range of roles to support the development of cutting edge diagnostic tests.
Between them, they bring together impressive experience and expertise in areas including liver disease, tumour immunology, haematology, transplantation science, paediatric oncology, type 2 diabetes, diagnostics and genetic testing.
Meet rest of the team.