Friday, 11th February is International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day dedicated to achieving full and equal access to participation in science for women and girls.
At present, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women and only around 30% of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Long-standing gender biases and stereotypes can often steer women away from science-related fields. At Uptake Strategies we want to help change this.
We are dedicated to inspiring the next generation to join the Pharma industry through our Uptake1000 commitment to support 1000 graduates over the next 10 years into the Pharma and Biotech industry. We are also proud to partner with In2ScienceUK, a charity committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM.
This week we hear from some of the fantastic women at Uptake Strategies, who share their experiences in the Pharma industry and provide some helpful tips and tricks for young people interested in a career in this field.
Meet Uptake Strategies’ Women in Science…
Stephanie Hall
1. What is your current role?
I am the Founder and Managing Director at Uptake Strategies.
2. What is the best thing about working in the Pharma industry?
I have had the opportunity to work across many different therapy areas and areas of science on some of the most innovative medicines from R&D teams, and to travel and work across about 40 countries during the course of my career.
3. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I loved travelling to China and Japan with different clients and working with their local teams to launch new medicines in cancer pain and rare diseases and to apply our expertise in planning, strategy, launch and omnichannel.
4. What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the Pharma industry?
The Pharma / Biotech industry welcomes lots of different skills and disciplines, not only science but leadership, analytical skills, teamwork, innovation, commercial acumen and much more. Talk to as many people as you can about the different roles, opportunities and companies in the industry so that you can find your “best fit”, then communicate your authentic enthusiasm!
5. Who in the Pharma industry inspires you?
I’d like to recognise a few amazing pharma leaders who inspire me: Victoria Williams, Kate Leach, Sarah Matthew and Maxine Smith.
Lauren Tyson
1. What is your current role?
I am a Senior Account Manager, which means I oversee multiple projects within the accounts I look after. Primarily, I am the key point of contact for the clients I work with, and I provide support to the wider Account Team.
2. What is the best thing about working in the Pharma industry?
We are all working towards the same goal: to make a difference to patients’ lives.
3. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
To be trusted with coaching and developing true shooting stars and talent in our team. It is so rewarding to see the team grow and succeed in carving their own development path.
4. What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the Pharma industry?
Expect the unexpected; this is a fast-paced industry that will always keep you on your toes.
5. Who in the Pharma industry inspires you?
I am always in awe of our wonderful team at Uptake who strive to deliver our utmost best work and balance that with being an inclusive, collaborative and compassionate environment.
Rachel Moran
1. What is your current role?
My role at Uptake Strategies is Senior Account Executive.
2. What is the best thing about working in the Pharma industry?
I have only worked in the Pharma industry for the last 11 months, but I have found that the best part of working in the industry is feeling like the work you are a part of is making a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
3. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
The highlight of my career so far was being involved in the creation and launch of a brand’s new strategy and campaign. After months of hard work from the team, seeing the campaign come to life at an international conference was really rewarding and a great experience. I was also given the opportunity to facilitate for the first time at this conference, which was a pleasure to do.
4. What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the Pharma industry?
The advice I would give to someone wanting to enter the Pharma industry is to always be curious. The industry is fast paced as companies continue to strive to find ways to improve and save lives, and with this comes lots of opportunities to learn and be at the forefront of research and medicine.
5. Who in the Pharma industry inspires you?
Sarah Gilbert, the lead professor behind the Oxford coronavirus vaccine. Described as ‘Superwoman’ by one of her PhD students at Oxford, Sarah led her team to producing a design for the vaccine just days after scientists had published information about the virus in January of 2020. She played a critical role in the fight against COVID and achieved all this while raising triplets.
Iruni Rabel
1. What is your current role?
I am a Graduate Project Management Assistant at Uptake Strategies.
2. What is the best thing about working in the Pharma industry?
I am keen on building a career in development and transformation in industries linked to healthcare. Over the past few months working closely with clients in the Pharma industry, I have witnessed the genuine passion and motivation in striving towards best outcomes for patients. It is a satisfying feeling knowing that somewhere down the line you are helping to make someone’s life better.
3. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Uptake’s graduate programme allows us to be involved in a variety of projects in such a short time. This is a great steppingstone, as it lets you build up the confidence and knowledge to progress quickly in your career.
4. What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the Pharma industry?
With the current trends and development in the industry, there are opportunities for any disciplines and backgrounds. If you are passionate about healthcare, there are many ways to contribute through the Pharma industry.
5. Who in the Pharma industry inspires you?
Stephanie Hall and the marvellous Uptake team.
Belinda Blakeney
1. What is your current role?
My role at Uptake Strategies is HR and Operations Manager.
2. What is the best thing about working in the Pharma industry?
As someone who started out as a science teacher with a specialism in biology, working in an industry that supports individuals’ healthcare is not only inspiring but also incredibly satisfying.
3. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Teaching, coaching and mentoring young people in school or at the start of their career has been so gratifying for me. The best feedback I have ever received was from when I left my last teaching job: a group of students thanked me in a card, saying I had made them love science. I think when you are passionate about something, that really comes across.
Another highlight has been meeting and engaging with some of the world’s most incredible and inspirational scientists. Without fail, it is always a very humbling experience.
4. What advice would you give someone wanting to enter the Pharma industry?
Show your passion for the industry at every opportunity; this will shine through when applying for internships, jobs and during interviews.
5. Who in the STEM industry inspires you?
Women in STEM that have inspired me are Anne Goldsworthy and Jane Goodall.
