The BLS Alumni events are a chance for BLS students to hear from BLS graduates about their diverse, challenging and inspiring career paths having left Lancaster University. On Tuesday the 5^th March we have four talks from recent Lancaster graduates each followed by a Q&A and then a chance for networking. Isaac, Magdelana, Helen and Hannah work variously for Genus ABS, Amiculum USA, The Civil Service and Jaguar Land Rover. This event will appear in the Biol100, Biol231 and Biol300 timetables.

Venue: Cavendish Lecture Theatre

Time: 18.00-21.00

Food and drinks will be provided in the foyer from 18.00.

Isacc Hodgson

I graduated from Lancaster with a degree in Biomedical science in 2023. Having enjoyed the applied nature of the degree along with an interest in livestock production from our family farming enterprise I was successful in joining the Genus ABS graduate future leader programme. Genus ABS is a global livestock genetics business with the programme aiming to give graduates an insight into all areas of the business. In my talk I will give both an overview of the global Genus business along with an insight into my current placement with the beef product development team ensuring we supply sustainable cattle genetics for both the farmer and consumer.

Magdalena Formela-Leigh

I studied BSc Biomedicine at Lancaster University between 2013 and 2016. In my final year, I wanted to apply for Masters degree and move to Scotland. I received Highly Skilled Workforce Scholarship to cover tuition fees at University of Glasgow, where I completed MSc in Stratified Medicine and Pharmacological Innovation. Following its completion in 2017, I started working in medical communications. My first role was an associate medical writer and I later got promoted to a medical writer within the same company. In 2020, I moved on to work at AMICULUM USA as a senior medical writer. In the same year, I successfully applied to medical school. I deferred my entry and continued working full-time until September 2022, when I started Medicine at University of Glasgow. I’m currently in my second year. I continue working flexible part-time at AMICULUM USA as a senior medical writer/account lead, focusing on rare diseases.

Helen Soper

I have had a varied career spending some time working in Tenerife for TUI, flying out the day after my final exam. I started working for HMRC in 2015 as an administrative officer and the skills I gained from my education has empowered me to quickly gain promotion through the civil service grades. I have worked in learning design, contract management, and I am now currently a grade 7 it service manager ensuring digital solutions to support applications for health and disability benefits are reliable and performant. I hope to cover during my session what a career in the civil service looks like, including the variety of different roles and progression opportunities available.

Hannah Darwin

Hannah completed the MSci BioMedicine degree course at Lancaster University in 2015 before joining Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) on their graduate programme. She has worked at JLR since, starting in Manufacturing Material Planning & Logistics (Vehicle Scheduling and International Programme Management in Graz, Austria); before moving into the CEO Corporate Office, a role involving coordinating the JLR Board meetings and leading the Executive Office. Over the last 8 months Hannah has progressed into a dynamic role as Business Manager and Business Office lead for the Executive Board Director of global Enterprise Performance & Quality, with key deliverables in increasing business wide value creation and global organisational efficiency.