Profile
Paula Proszek
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About Me:
I live in London and work in a busy Cancer Hospital. I lead a team delivering genomic testing for patients. I am also a Mum (of a teen 😉 love travelling, animals, swimming, chocolate and Stranger Things!
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I am Polish, studied in Poland, Italy and UK. I now work in UK, so know well how it is to keep learning and not being native speaker in a country you live in.
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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My Work:
Testing cancer samples to match patient to targeted, kinder treatments. Some of those medicines are still in testing (called Clinical trials), before they become available to all NHS patients. Working with NHS service, research teams and pharma companies.
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My Typical Day:
Every day is different, but if I was to describe a one on a typical, quiet week, it would be: come to the office and discuss day/week plan for the team of scientists i work with, priority samples and any problems we need to solve or experiemnts planned together. I would then check my emails for any urgent clinical queries there may be (from doctors and nurses). I would then go to the lab and prepare (defrost etc) my reagents and samples, and come back to the office to have coffee. Then I would prepare samples and experiemtns, and analyse results when they are ready. If they are good to report, I would prepare summary for the doctors and then present them at molecular tumour board to agree on the best treatment. This is very rewarding part of my job. I also take part in a lot of metings/ review documents / check internet for the latest discoveries/ drugs / cancer news. I also go to conferences and symposia to present our work.
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Read more
https://www.royalmarsden.org/difference-you-make/how-does-dna-sequencing-help-us-treat-cancer
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would organise STEM competition in a scientific secondary school next to where I work OR get that school some new science equipment they need.
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Education:
Primary and secondary schoold (biology-chemistry profiled) in Poland, University of Gdansk Medical Academy for a year, then Biotechnology for Bachelors. I then went for Erasmus student exchage for Masters to Italy to study Biotechnology Medical Application. Part of the course was practical lab project in the lab, which i completed in Kings College (Institute of Psychiatry), as I got fascinated by neurobiology and neurogenetics. I then started (but haven’t finished) PhD in genetics, evolution and environment at Univ College London on genetics of Parkinsons, Altzheimer and other dementias.
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Qualifications:
Bsc Biotechnology, Msc Biotechnology
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Work History:
Apart from workin in the summer in some temp jobs, I worked in DVD rental shop and internet cafe in London during my interships. After University, i worked as Forensic Scientist for the local police department. It was so interesting, but very dark and grim at times. I then applied for a job in the NHS, genomic testing lab and has worked here ever since in various roles, the current one being research scientist and laboratory manager.
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Current Job:
Research scientist and laboratory manager.
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Employer:
The Royal Marsden NHS Hospital, Clinical Genomics departemnt
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
I wanted to be a medical doctor! I even studied medicine for a year before moving on to become a scientist.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I was a book worm and science geek, but struggled with history and languages... you dont need to be all As to succeed, focus on what you love.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I always wanted to be an astronaut and applied to NASA - if they accepted me, I'd be aboard International Space Station now! They actually do experiments and sequencing there.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Rock and indie. Florence and the machine, Annie Lennox, Maroon 5, Depeche Mode, PinkFloyd, Coldplay, U2, Ed Sheeran
What's your favourite food?
Chocolate, coffeee and italian gelati.
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Go to space, peace on Earth, cure cancer
Tell us a joke.
Why do biologists look forward to casual Fridays? Because they're allowed to wear genes to work!
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