Profile
Ria Kalaitzaki
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About Me:
I live with my husband and 2 daughters (7 and 10) in London. I am very passionate about my work (Medical Statistician/ Biostatistician) but I also enjoy swimming, socializing and science fiction books or films. I love Jurassic Park!
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My pronouns are:
She/ Her
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My Work:
I am a Medical Statistician which means, I apply mathematics/statistics to medicine! I study diseases and their cause but also look into treatment options and help identify what works and what doesn’t.
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I first studied Mathematics (even though I didn’t particularly like it when I was young) and then did a Masters degree in Applied Statistics in Medicine. I always loved Medicine but my grades were not good enough so I made sure that my studies and work is as close as possible to my passion!
I have worked for universities, the charity sector (CRUK), NHS, and more recently, the pharmaceutical industry. For the last 14 years I help develop cancer drugs and I am very passionate about it.
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My Typical Day:
I wake up early and try to go for a swim or at least a quick walk. I then have breakfast with the family (and our cat!) and start work at 8:30am. I am lucky to work from home. I usually have a quick lunch break and I work until 5:30pm. I then pick up the girls from school and try to do something fun in the evening with them. I love watching a good film in the evening.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I have not thought about it but most likely would engage with the local primary or secondary school.
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Education:
I went to a local primary school back in Athens, Greece where I was brought up- nothing extraordinary or special about my school. I loved my teacher though, she could always see something in me when I couldn’t !
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Qualifications:
I was always “OK” at school but never outstanding or top of the class. I was interested in Science and particularly Physics and Chemistry and wanted to study Medicine but my grades were not good enough .
I decided to study Mathematics, even though it was not my favourite subject, and found it very difficult but I didn’t give up. During the second year of my studies I was the best performing student and I got an award and some money (still cannot believe it).
When I got my Maths degree, I did a bit of teaching for a year, but I realized I needed to study a bit more and do something different and closer to my heart.
I discovered there is way to combine Medicine and Maths and I immediately started the Masters course in Southampton: ***Applied Mathematics and Statistics in Medicine ***
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Work History:
Finding a job after graduating was not easy, I must have been in at least 10 interviews before I had a job offer! I was upset thinking I’m not good enough but I persevered and it was worth it because, I LOVED my job.
I was finally working with scientists, doctors and other Medical Statisticians studying complex diseases and trying to find what may prevent them or cure them. I worked for universities and the NHS nearly for 10 years. I enjoy learning and my work is never boring. It’s great because I feel needed and appreciated.
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Current Job:
I am now working for a drug company/ pharmaceutical, developing drugs that cure cancer. Specifically, I design clinical trials and analyse a lot of data that test whether a drug can cure a specific type of cancer. It’s very complex and can take a long time.
It’s not always easy but I still enjoy my work after 18 years of doing it. I love discovering things I didn’t know before, new ways of doing things and enjoy discussing with people from all over the world that share the same dream and passion.
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Employer:
GSK – a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
I had no idea. I just wanted to be happy and successful.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No, I was very quiet and reserved/ shy
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
So many things, I love design so I wonder if I would be good as Architect or Interior Design but I also love plants so would love to have a small shop with plants.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
U2
What's your favourite food?
Chips!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
a) be healthy, b) be happy, c) be loved and needed
Tell us a joke.
Why did the chick cross the road? To get to the other side (doh!)
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