Year in Industry

Sam Hemphil, UCB

I’m Sam Hemphil and I’m just completing my 4th year MEng Engineering (Biochemical) programme at UCL, this is me working at upstream processing at UCB.
I have been working with UCBs fermentation process development team on a number of projects at different stages of the drug development cycle. During my time I have had the chance to work with fermentations from the small scale (250ml) to large pilot plant scale (200L). I have also gained lots of experience on the analytical

side of things and been able to use a wide range of industrially-relevant techniques to assess the material we are producing to ensure that it will be safe for the patient!

During my year I have learned a lot of technical skills but also developed my team working, communication and leadership skills. The work is team-oriented and everyone’s experiments contribute to the success of the project. I also had the opportunity to lead group experiments and coordinate team activities.

The year in industry has given me a great insight into what working in the biopharm industry is like. I am hoping to use the skills and experience I have learnt this year to find a job within the industry. 

Amandeep Varia

I’m Amandeep and I’ve just completed a placement that formed part of the 4th year of my MEng degree.
I did my placement in Eli Lilly at Kinsale in The Republic of Ireland working on medicine manufacturing processes. My project focused on designing a new piece of equipment that would standar

dise operations resulting in cutting costs and time, then testing its effects and how much of an improvement it made.

I have had a great all rounded experience! Having to live in another country for over a year has been amazing, alongside working in a pharmaceutical company for the first time. I have had the opportunity to gain a lot of responsibility within the company with my projects and work with a wide variety of people (automation, cleaning and project engineers etc.). I have gained the ability to get a rounded view of the life of an engineer and the daily tasks and important responsibilities that an engineer holds. Not only have I learnt a lot during my placement, but the MBI courses at UCL have also allowed me to further broaden my knowledge on the new concepts and ideas related to my career as an engineer.

Year in Industry has helped me to better understand how the knowledge I gained from my degree is applied to help make the medicines we all rely on. I understand the wider impact that I can have as an engineer and my vital role within this context. As a result, I am now certain that I would like to continue to work within the pharmaceutical industry as an engineer.

Hamza Patel, GSK

My name is Hamza Patel and I did my year in industry placement with Glaxo SmithKlein (GSK) working within their cell and gene therapy group. I worked on a project to develop a cost-effective manufacturing process to produce engineered T-cells used to treat several types of cancers.
The environment and culture at GSK is dynamic and engaging making it a great workplace. I was given plenty of freedom to design my own experiments and take charge of my own work. The placem

ent has been thoroughly enjoyable and has provided a great platform for my personal and professional development. Above all, the placement has allowed me to practically apply theoretical concepts learnt throughout my degree to develop medicines that have the potential to save millions of lives. My experiences at GSK have motivated me to do a PhD in this field and ultimately pursue a career in research.