What Next for your Career? LMB-CamAWiSE event, 16th July

This year’s Annual Career Stories Event, co-hosted by CamAWiSE and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), brought together a vibrant community of researchers, students, and professionals to reflect on what it truly means to build a career in science.

The event was opened by Louise Atkin, LMB’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, who warmly welcomed participants and highlighted LMB’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive environment where diverse careers and voices are supported and celebrated.

Following this, CamAWiSE Chair Agnieszka Rutkowska introduced the mission behind CamAWiSE and the value of sharing real, lived experiences across the STEMM community. Held in a spirit of openness and connection, this annual collaboration between LMB and CamAWiSE continues to inspire and empower.

The evening featured three incredible speakers - Dr Jillian Barlow, Dr Sarah Burge, and Dr Claudia Ferreira - each offering a unique perspective on the winding, often difficult yet strengthening road of scientific careers. Their stories revealed the power of mentorship, the impact of good networks, and the courage to redefine success on their own terms.

Dr Sarah Burge – Director of Clinical Integration, Cancer Research UK

Sarah offered a grounded, honest perspective on how personal life and professional life intertwine:

• She spoke of the critical role of support systems, including family, mentors, and colleagues.

• Emphasised the importance of "science + skills"—the leadership, empathy, and communication that underpin effective science and meaningful impact.

• Urged attendees to seek out high-quality environments—places that nurture growth beyond the bench.

  
  

With humour and clarity, Sarah reminded us that success is not just measured in papers and promotions, but in the capacity to remain authentic, supported, and inspired along the way. Her reflections on mentorship and sponsorship echoed a key theme of the evening: we rise higher when we lift each other up.

Dr Jillian Barlow – Senior Lecturer, University of York & Director, GenerationResearch

Jillian’s talk was an inspiring reminder that career paths don’t need to be perfect to be impactful. She shared how a difficult PhD—marked by self-doubt and negative reults—eventually led to fulfilling work in immunology and science communication.

• Her postdoctoral work bridged research and industry, interacting with patent lawyers and commercial teams.

• She joined the University of York while 8.5 months pregnant, embracing both teaching and management responsibilities.

• She faced numerous setbacks in grant applications—but those “failures” honed her skills and helped her build a resilient and successful funding track record.

Now, as a Senior Lecturer and Director of GenerationResearch, she helps over 140 students from diverse backgrounds enter science with confidence and support. Her story showed how mentoring and collaboration can turn challenges into stepping stones—and why giving back to the next generation is so important.

Dr Claudia Ferreira – Portfolio Manager, Digital, Vision & System, CMR Surgical

Claudia’s story was a powerful example of embracing change with intention. Originally trained in academic research at LMB, she realised that her strengths lay not in repetitive experimental processes but in strategic thinking, fast-paced problem-solving, and people-focused innovation.

• She explored consulting, startups, and innovation roles, actively networking to understand different career options.

• Eventually, she found her niche in portfolio management, where she now leads upstream innovation at CMR Surgical.

Her journey demonstrated the importance of self-awareness, experimentation, and courage to pivot. Claudia emphasised that every role along the way taught her something—about herself, the industry, and the value of connecting across boundaries.

What We Took Away

Each speaker took us on a journey—none of them linear, all of them full of insight. Their experiences highlighted how important it is to recognise when to adapt, when to persevere, and when to ask for help. Whether leading research, shaping student futures, or managing strategy in MedTech, all three have carved out meaningful, satisfying careers on their own terms.

What stood out most was the recurring theme of mentorship, networking, and community. It was clear that none of these journeys happened in isolation. Each woman spoke about the mentors who supported them, the peers who listened, and the networks that opened new doors—underscoring just how crucial these connections are in STEMM.

Thank you to Dr Jillian Barlow, Dr Sarah Burge, and Dr Claudia Ferreira for your honesty, strength, and generosity, and to the LMB for continuing to co-host this empowering annual event.

We look forward to seeing you in 2026.