David Lewis

David submitted his PhD in 1981 in the Department of Biochemical Engineering and has gone onto work across a range of jobs in the field of biochemical and chemical engineering.

What programme did you study at UCL Engineering and when did you graduate?

Arrived at UCL for a one year Research Assistant role in 1973 after graduating in Microbiology at Cardiff University. Professor Lilly said stay on as he had another grant. [I] stayed on after the grant and completed my submission in 1981 [with a] PhD in Biochemical Engineering.

Which country are you from?

Living in the UK near Stockport.

Where do you work now - and what is your role? 

Now retired.

Why did you choose to study at UCL?

Undecided what I wanted to do. Decided a year in London was attractive. Realised how lucky I was to be in the department so very happy to stay on. Worked 30 hours plus at a time on occassions, middle of the night, rock music on the tape, manually adjusting feed rates, taking samples and analysing. These days HR would have something to say.

How did you get from graduating at UCL to where you are now - tell us about your journey!

Joined Searle pharmaceutical in High Wycombe running fermentations of Physarum, a slime mould which at the end of the growth cycle produces a mixture of polysaccharides but no protease, target[ing] human fungal infections. Moved onto Phenylalanine production for Aspartame. As there was no bulk supply I developed a biotransformation process using bacteria in which we'd cloned the key enzyme. Won the award that year for Searle innovation world. Moved up to be Director of Applied Microbiology running a cloning group (human hormones) and an Aspartame group. Ran the first category 3 laboratory outside proton. 

I was offered a senior role in Chicago and enrolement in the Chicago Business School Exectuve MBA programme. Flown out with my with my wife and at a meal with the guy running Aspartame, later head of Monsanto, he said you're destined for the very top etc. My wife said is he talking about you? Normal working day was 8.30am to 10pm often in work weekends. [I was] offered other jobs in the USA/UK and chose the Techincal Director at Sturge Biochemicals. [I] retired at 56 exhausted. 

How has your UCL Engineering degree helped you?

[I] retired way back. Got the Searle job due to the knowledge I gained at UCL. [I've] only realised over time how advanced UCL awas in the field. A senior fermentation manager said on his retirement "I thought I knew a lot about fermentation before I arrived". [I] only got the breaks due the UCL education.

Do you stay in touch with UCL (via events, volunteering) or with your classmates? If so, tell us a bit about this experience of being in the UCL alumni community.

Employed Dr Fish as my technical manager. Stayed in touch with classmates.

What is a favourite memory of your time with us, or something you particularly liked about UCL Engineering / your department? 

Wee hours rock music looking after the microbes. 

If you could choose just one thing - what was the best thing about your UCL experience?

Learning from the best in the world.

Do you have any advice for prospective students considering UCL Engineering for their degree? 

UCL is way out in front in Biochemical Engineering. Your degree is a ticket to an interview, after that it's what you make of it. They give you the ticket, don't waste it, it opens doors.

Do you have any advice for fellow alumni who are just starting out on their career path?

You've got the golden ticket, don't waste it. You're ahead of the pack. The harder you work the luckier you get.