Meet the Team – Q&A with Training Associate Erin Bell
After graduating with an honour’s degree in Microbiology, Erin began her scientific career as a lab technician in a veterinary serology laboratory before transitioning to a global CRO to work in human clinical trials. From here, she progressed her way into a team lead position where she led technical development and troubleshooting, as well as developing and conducting training, before making her way to Tower Mains as Training Associate.
Here, Erin tells us what initially attracted her to her role, her career highlights, and what makes her tick outside of work.
What attracted you to your role?
My career so far has consisted of laboratory roles which I have thoroughly enjoyed, however, I reached a point where I felt like I was no longer developing new skills, and as someone who strives to continually grow my skill set, I felt it was time for something new. As if by chance, Andrew appeared and presented an opportunity at Tower Mains, and everything just clicked. I have always enjoyed working with people and being creative, so this role felt too good to be true. It gives me the best of both worlds, remaining fully immersed in science whilst also allowing me to use my creative side by designing training courses and sharing my experience. I get to meet and work with people from different areas of science – in different stages of their careers – and being given this opportunity to positively impact their development gives me great job satisfaction.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
A highlight is being able to support people and make them feel like they have the knowledge and confidence to be the best they can be. Recently, I learned that a participant in our GLP and GCP training courses had taken a leap into their dream job after spending time with us – how can I not say that is a highlight?
You’re fairly new to the team at Tower Mains, what are you enjoying the most?
I have been at Tower Mains for around four months and was instantly made to feel like part of the team. I enjoy the culture of the company, having the freedom to brainstorm and implement my ideas. I feel lucky to learn from my colleagues, hearing funny and interesting stories from their experiences over their careers, and something I enjoy is the fact that their stories are built into our training courses as it makes them unique.
If you could quickly and easily learn any new skill, what would it be?
Technology. The definition of technology is ‘the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life.’ If I could understand codes, bits, systems, and technology, in general, a bit better (past turning things off and on again), it would make my application of scientific knowledge to others much easier.
What makes you tick outside of work?
Outside of work, I like to get out of my normal environment and see how other people live. I love to visit different countries and stay with locals to learn more about their day-to-day culture as well as experience the weather and attractions. These culture exchanges bring me lifelong friends from different areas of the world and that is very fulfilling. It also allows me to better understand and appreciate every individual, which is great for my role as there is no such thing as one size fits all!
For Tower Mains, Erin manages our internal quality management systems and oversees our internal and external training programmes. Alongside this, she has been working away on our recently published ‘Conducting Laboratory Investigations’ course alongside Senior Associate Anna Lothian. Erin and Anna will be using their experience and expertise to provide a detailed walkthrough of how to conduct a laboratory investigation. To find out more, click here.
Find further information on our range of courses on our website, or if you are interested in discussing your specific training requirements or if you wish to book a course for your group or organisation, please don’t hesitate to contact training@towermains.com.