Stephanie Ward

I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at Nottingham University in 2014. I stayed at the University of Nottingham to complete my PhD in the field of Biochemistry and structural Biology. My PhD focused on the molecular characterisation of a deubiquitinase using techniques such as X-ray crystallography, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry and enzyme kinetics. I addition, I extensively used recombinant protein expression and purification techniques such as size exclusion chromatography protein and E.coli protein expression methods to generate the starting material for experiments. Since completing my PhD I have 4 years’ experience working for a Contract Research Organization (CRO) where I expanded my skillset to include Flow Cytometry, High Content Imaging, radiochemical binding assays and Surface Plasmon Resonance. I worked on several projects which involved the development of bespoke assays for determining the IC50 value for compounds against a particular target. A critical part of the assay development was ensuring assay robustness as well as ensuring the assay is high throughput to enable the rapid screening of hundreds of newly developed drugs. My experience working for a CRO has been particularly rewarding, using my knowledge and expertise to help progress drug discovery programmes and seeing the development of a new drug candidate progress from pre-clinical to a lead candidate in Phase I clinical trials.