Cameron Bonner

Based at the Radiopharmacy in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, I am on a 3 year structured training programme (STP) for clinical pharmaceutical science.

• I work in a small team at the quality control laboratory for a major pharmaceutical drug manufacture, ensuring drugs that enter the UK market meet the pre-described specifications before they can be legally sold.
• Performed a variety of physical tests such as identification by FTIR, UV-vis, TLC, disintegration, friability, uniformity of mass, physical dimensions and measuring water content by Karl Fischer titrations. Quantitative chemical analysis tests were carried out using HPLC and dissolution to detect impurities and amounts of the API present.

• Worked as a postman and parcel delivery driver at different sites in the Greater London area.

• Individually ran, with complete autonomy, the COVID-19 PCR lab onboard cruise ships for the client Carnival, coordinating with the senior nurse and doctor onboard. Analysed swab samples using the Accula SARS-CoV-2 test kit aseptically and uploaded results to LIMS following company protocol.

• The role involved using LIMS for managing COVID-19 PCR sample processing and overseeing TECAN liquid-handling systems for sample preparation. I supervised reagent preparation for RNA extraction with Kingfisher Flex and ensured accurate operation of qPCR systems. Conducted quality control following ISO standards and employed aseptic techniques. After two months of excellent performance, I became a certified trainer for multiple lab sections.

• The role was based in both big supermarkets and small convenience stores and was highly varied, involving shelf-stacking, checkouts, cleaning, trolley collection and working the customer service desk.