Profile
Karen Tait
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About Me:
I’m an enthusiastic scientist and STEM Ambassador who loves learning new things and solving problems. I live near Edinburgh with 2 teenage kids and a cute cockapoo called Kylo. I enjoy tap dancing and helping at a local netball club. I still think of myself as a scientist first and love helping others make sense of data and explain it to others.
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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My Work:
I lead a clinical trials laboratory testing samples from people taking part in clinical trials across the world. I enjoy helping my company make money from science!
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Read more
I enjoy helping others to progress their careers in science and moving from very sciencey roles into business roles.
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My Typical Day:
I start my day by walking my dog and getting a good start on my 10000 steps each day. When I get to the office I check my diary for the day and answer some urgent emails from customers and people I work with. I would then meet with some of the other people helping to run the departments to find out how they are getting on and how I can help them. I might then read some reports and provide some comments. After lunch I would then have meetings with my colleagues in America to make sure we are all doing the same thing and trying new things together. When I get home it’s time for dinner, dog walk, exercise and running my kids around to their activities.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would love to buy some lab coats and basic equipment to take into schools for running STEM activities.
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Education:
Linlithgow Academy local comprehensive school
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Qualifications:
7 standard grades
5 highers
2 CSYS
BSc hons biomedical science
PhD reproductive biology
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Work History:
Pharmacy shop worker
breakfast waitress
Temporary secretary in a biotech company
production scientist in the same biotech company
study director in a global contract research organisation
research and development manager
associate director flow cytometry
director flow cytometry
senior director flow cytometry and anatomic pathology
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Current Job:
general manager central laboratories Europe Middle East and Africa
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Employer:
Q Squared Solutions
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Makes science money
What did you want to be after you left school?
A scientist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No I loved learning
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Personal shopper
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Take that
What's your favourite food?
Pizza
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Work less, play more, help others
Tell us a joke.
There is a fine line between a numerator and a denominator and only a fraction of people understand this
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