Deborah Lakeland

"I was matched with the explorer, manager, and quality controller personality types.Explorer - I feel that this is a good fit. Professionally I am always searching for new information, innovative ways to accomplish things. Personally, I am adventurous. I like to walk a path that no-on else has. In the workplace, this makes me valued because I bring fresh ideas to the table.Manager - Yes this describes me too.Professionally I wear lots of hats. I work in many different teams across the North West of England, plus I am studying for a postgraduate Masters Degree. I have to manage my time well, spinning lots of plates in the air at the same time. There are many challenges that must be overcome to achieve work goals. Someone needs to take charge and make difficult decisions. I can do this. I'm a great communicator and able to show leadership in many different scenarios. And I have a vision which I will accomplish.Quality Controller - absolutely fits.My laboratory role requires me to provide evidence that I have followed processes using equipment that operates as it is supposed to. Quality management is a huge part of my day job. Laboratories are inspected to ensure they meet high standards so must show how I meet these standards."

"My role is very varied. I currently have responsibility for maintaining equipment used in laboratory investigations. I write operating procedures, perform risk assessments and undertake analysis of patient samples which informs their heath care. I am the nominated scientist performing testing for a clinical trial involving Cardiology patients on anti-clotting therapies, to determine whether they are on the correct treatment based on their genetic make-up. I am helping to design a regional website which will showcase how to access specialist genomic testing to clinicians. I am involved in lots of genomics education, delivering talks to my work peers, and also in partnership with Preston North End Football Club's charitable trust, educating primary school children. I also work with the Cancer Alliance to introduce genomic testing into the care pathways of patients with cancer. This aspect of my work will have enormous impact for patient benefit."

"It all started in high school. Mrs Darken was my science teacher and she made it so much fun. Back in the day they had science O levels. Then science A levels. I did both. Then I completed a specialist Biomedical Sciences degree in Cardiff, which was recognized by diagnostic laboratories in the NHS. Then I completed 2 years on the job training documented in a portfolio, and sat a viva with an external examiner who assessed my technical ability and knowledge. This allowed me to become a State Registered Biomedical Scientist. My first job was in a hospital bloodbank, matching blood donations to patients in need of transfusions. Then I started working in a Clinical Immunology laboratory, assessing immune function of patients. During this time I also became the Radiation Protection Supervisor have responsibility for radioactive testing in my workplace. Then I got a secondment opportunity to introduce genomic analysis to patients with rare diseases and cancers. And now I am studying a Masters Degree in Genomic Medicine at Manchester University. Who knows where this will take me?"

"In my spare time, when studying allows, I am a member of the North West MX5 Owners Club, and their designated Motorsports Coordinator. We explore the countryside in our MX5s or go to the racetrack in a convoy, and sometimes go on holidays abroad. There aren't many females that drive sports cars in my club but that hasn't stopped me, and I have earned the respect of the men in the group with my awesome driving skills. Also I volunteer behind the scenes for the Preston Air Cadets, looking after the welfare of the children that join the squadron. When I was a teenager I was one of the first girls ever to join. There is a kind of theme here. I like to do what the boys are doing, but I want to be a girl doing it."

"Typically my days starts with some daily maintenance of instruments in the laboratory. Then I respond to emails requesting information or setting up meetings to discuss how the benefits of genome analysis can be used to best effect in my region. Sometime I have to write reports or create presentations. Some days I am extracting DNA from blood samples to test for the presence of certain genes, or testing patients for their response to treatments which can vary according to their DNA sequence. Its a huge undertaking but equally a really exciting time, and I am so happy to be leading these changes locally. "

"A levels - Biology, Chemistry, Physics taken at Cardinal Newman College in Preston BSc - Biomedical Sciences taken at Cardiff Institute for Higher EducationLevel 3 Certificate of First Line Management taken in my workplaceGood Clinical Practice certificateCore People Management Skills certificateMental Health First Aid certificateNHS Long Service AwardMSc - Genomic Medicine completed at the University of ManchesterCSOWISE Leadership Development Programme for Aspiring Leaders"