Chitranjan Poojary, Drug Discovery MSc

The opportunity to be able to study at a university which is so highly regarded globally and taught by world renowned professors and researchers was certainly a major inspiration for me. Having always had a keen interest in research, I was also inspired by the wide array of research carried out at UCL which have an impact on the lives of numerous people.

What attracted you to the Faculty of Life Sciences?

My background in pharmaceutical sciences meant that the Faculty of Life Sciences provided a great platform to hone my skills further in this area and hence I was attracted to the course of MSc Drug Delivery.

What did you enjoy most about studying in London?

London is such a great cosmopolitan, multi-cultural city. As a student the thing I enjoyed most about London was the opportunity to meet people from across the world and learn about their different cultures.

What is your favourite memory of UCL?

My favourite memory of UCL was graduation day - it was bitter-sweet but such a special day as it was culmination of a year of some amazing experiences at UCL.

What advice would you give to current or prospective students?

Remember to enjoy and make the most of your time while at the university! If things get stressful or hectic, remember that you are not alone, and there are some great people who you can reach out to. 

What is your current job title and the company name?

Senior Quality Assurance Advisor, Cell and Gene Therapy, GlaxoSmithKline.

Please provide a brief summary of your core duties and the skills you use

I work in Quality Assurance at GSK's Cell and Gene Therapy area. My core role is to ensure that any drug products that are manufactured by the company meets all the requirements for patient safety, product quality and efficacy. This includes overseen the Quality Management System which includes important aspects such as deviation management, change control and reviewing product manufacturing processes.

Briefly describe your journey, from graduating to where you are now

I graduated in the course of MSc Drug Delivery. My first job after graduating was working the lab as a research scientist at GSK's Inhaled Product Development department which involved working on the development of dry poweder inhalers. I then moved onto working on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient research focussing on medicines for malaria. After a few years of working in the lab I moved to Quality Assurance, first working on small molecules and then gradually moving to my current role in Cell and Gene Therapies.

How do you think UCL has helped you in your career to date?

UCL was instrumental in shaping my future.The knowledge and abilities I gained during my master's degree enabled me to enter the field of pharmaceutical research. Being able to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge gained at the university in the pharmaceutical industry has been a very fulfilling and satisfying experience.