Morris James

My name is Morris James. I have recently graduated with a degree in BSc Pharmaceutical Biosciences at Ulster University, Coleraine. Alongside this I also completed a placement in industry during my penultimate year of study. I am currently actively looking for career opportunities within a pharmaceutical industry.

I completed my placement year at Randox Laboratories in Antrim, Northern Ireland. I was privileged to gain practical work experience in two different business units in my time working there. I joined the company amid the Covid pandemic and subsequently worked in the RT-qPCR testing department as an extraction scientist. Here, I used aseptic techniques to manage biological patient samples and extract mRNA for testing.

I worked as an analytical chemist in the second half of my placement year. I gained exposure to conducting GMP analysis of raw materials, commercial grade reagents and lyophilized controls and calibrators. This job role required the use of multiple analytical techniques; including HPLC and analytical machines developed in-house. The work completed in this industry involved strictly adhering to SOPs and ensuring company guidelines.

I currently have a 2:2 in BSc Pharmaceutical Biosciences. Within the course I gained theoretical and practical knowledge in various fields. This includes the following:

• Chemical Biotechnology 
• Haematology and transfusion science 
• Microbiology 
• Genetics 
• Organic and bioorganic chemistry 
• Human anatomy and physiology 
• Drug formulation and physicochemical properties 
• Pharmaceutical Preformulation and excipients
• Pharmaceutical Biosciences
• Quality processes and Control