Meet the Staff: Nunu Arora

Job title: Senior Lab Technician

By George Thirlway, Research Technician and Coordinator for Public Engagement

George: What is your job title and main roles here at the Prion Unit?
Nunu: I am a senior research technician. This includes all of Professor Parmjit Jat’s research which mainly covers cell biology in both the cancer and prion fields, but the main focus of which has been on the human cell model for variant and sporadic CJD.

George: So how long have you worked here?
Nunu: I have been at the Prion Unit for 19 years, but a total of 21 with Parmjit. The additional years were actually in this same building when it was the Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research. Then I joined Parmjit at the Prion Unit, originally based at Queen’s Square House, which then moved back to the Courtauld building, where we are currently.

George: I see, so what was your job prior to joining Prof. Jat’s group and how did you get to here?
Nunu: I worked for an NGO in Kenya – the International Livestock Research Institute for a couple of years as a graduate. I then worked in a Veterinary and Rapid diagnostics private company. We were working on rapid diagnostic test kits for HIV and Hepatitis B, which would be instant and we could distribute easily across urban and rural areas of Kenya. Unfortunately we were probably about 10 years ahead of time to be able to succeed in the way they wanted. The Veterinary lab did very well offering a same day blood testing service. After that I moved on to join Prof Jat’s group in London.

George: Very interesting! So you are originally from Kenya? Did you attend university and if so what did you study?
Nunu: Yes, I was born in Kenya and then studied Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After that I studied a Masters in Molecular Virology in Toronto, before moving back to Kenya, to start a career and family.

George: Okay, so what does a typical week look like for you? Is it pretty similar each day or more varied?
Nunu: It varies quite a bit, but in a typical week I will be at the tissue culture hood, where I can usually be found either on the fourth floor or in the CL3 labs. More often than not I will have students with me that I am either directly training or overseeing in tissue culture, western blotting and other techniques.

George: What is your favourite thing about working at the Prion Unit?
Nunu: It really is like a home away from home, which is good because I spend a lot of time here! I enjoy getting to meet and work with wonderful people. Lots of different people come and go over the years but I have made some good friendships and stayed in touch long after they have moved on. This is especially true for students, it’s always so nice to see them grow and succeed in their work here and afterwards. It gives a real sense of accomplishment working with people and getting to see that hard work pay off for them. Most importantly, if you are coming to work with me I always say ‘You have got to start with a smile.’

George: What would you say the best and worse parts of your role are?
Nunu: I think the best part is all the hard work actually being worth it. With the human cell line, which we now have and up and running, it took ten years to come to fruition. All that time and effort spent on a very labour intensive project, overcoming lots of doubt. It feels so good to see it come together. The worst is part of the best, especially if it does not work out. It’s the sheer amount of time and effort research like this takes; working on experiments that can take up to six weeks to potentially have a 50/50 success rate or a 25 plate assay becoming bacterially contaminated and having to be scrapped. Just frustrating lab things, which in the end add to the best bits as we have to go through and overcome all of that.

George: Following on from that, do you have any favourite memories of particular days working here?
Nunu: Well lots of days when experiments work and we get positive results! One of the best being with the human cell line which was followed by well-deserved celebratory drinks at the pub with Waddy, Laszlo and Sue.

George: When was the first time you learnt what a prion was? 
Nunu: The first time was actually while studying my Masters in Toronto. It was during a talk I attended in an absolutely packed auditorium, being given by Stanley Prusiner. This was just after he has received his Nobel Prize for discovering and first describing prions as an explanation for CJD and BSE.

George: That is amazing! Do you have a favourite science fact?
Nunu: I do! There is enough DNA in all the cells of an average human body, which if unwound and stretched out, would reach from the Sun to Pluto 17 times!

George: So when you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? And how close would you say that is your current role?
Nunu: Well I always wanted to be a doctor, and my father wanted me to be a pediatrician. While that’s not what I ended up doing I am still the designated doctor and medical professional for the family! During lockdown I did undertake a medical neurology course which is usually for medical students. It was challenging but I am proud to have completed it. I actually discussed one of the assignments with a clinical neurologist who works here and he couldn’t believe how demanding it was!

George: So if you weren't doing this job, what do you think would you be doing instead?
Nunu: I’d say probably a doctor. Or actually something I might pursue when I’m done with science, which is my passion for cooking.

George: Oh very nice! What kind of cooking do you enjoy?
Nunu: A little bit of everything really, I would love to undertake some formal training in gourmet cooking.

George: What are some of your other interests or hobbies outside of science?
Nunu: When I finish at the lab for the day I head home for my second job as mum, wife, chef, dog mum and family carer. I also love calligraphy, which I did quite a lot as a child and would like to get back into more.

George: And finally, I think I know the answer to this then, but do you have any pets?
Nunu: Yes, Pablo the dog! He is a Malshi and my permanent toddler.