Karen Gannon

"I am a coach which means I am a problem solver, good listener and I'm keen to get the best out of people. I am also a quality controller which means I am curious, I like to keep people safe and excel at the details. I am also a trainer which I identify with the most as I like to be helpful, enjoy helping others improve and I'm passionate about sharing my knowledge. "

"I am a healthcare scientist working in Nuclear Medicine Physics for the NHS. My role is incredibly diverse; one day I can be checking imaging equipment performance or providing radiation protection advice to radioactive patients and the next I can be investigating unidentified radioactive substances as part of the NAIR (National Arrangements for Incidents involving Radioactivity) response. I love using my physics knowledge to help care for people and I enjoy the challenge of making complex concepts relatable for patients. To become a state registered Clinical Scientist you apply to join the NHS STP training scheme whereby you are paid a salary (£31,365 currently: 2020) to learn in hospital placements whilst completing a funded MSc. It is an excellent way to make a difference using STEM tools. "

"I started by completing A Levels in Maths, Physics and Biology. I went to the University of Exeter to study \"Physics with Medical Physics\" as a 4 year MPhys course and enjoyed medical physics so much I stayed to complete a PhD in High Resolution MRI. Following my PhD I spent a year as a Post Doctoral research assistant studying microcirculation of the equine foot using MRI before deciding that I wanted to leave academia and use my skills in a more practical setting. I applied for the NHS training scheme and chose to study in Cambridge and Norwich. I had every intention of continuing to work in MRI in a clinical setting but as soon as I started my rotation in Nuclear Medicine I realised this was the field I wanted to work in. After completing my training I got the opportunity to return to my home town to take on a basic grade physics job in Nuclear Medicine and have worked my way up over the years so that I am currently in charge of the Nuclear Medicine service in my Trust."

"I am a keen baker and bread maker. Baking is an science (unlike cooking which I consider an art form!). I enjoy live music, films and travel. Ideally I would live and work in New Zealand as it is a place I have visited many times and never grow tired of. "

"No two days are the same in my job. I have scheduled tasks to perform such as equipment quality control, patient discussions and I also participate in a rota to run our radiopharmacy where I make the radioactive drugs each day that are used in my department. Since I took on a leadership role I am also in charge of staffing and resources so I spend a lot of time purchasing equipment and radioactive drugs we do not make on site. I am often called upon to explain radiation risk to patients, or discuss any precautions patients need to take if they are radioactive when they return to their families. I also provide expert advice to another Trust and visit there regularly. In addition, I am responsible for the safe storage and disposal of all radioactive waste within my Trust and am active in training STP trainees from the North London consortium. "

"A Levels in Mathematics, Physics and Biology.MPhys in Physics with Medical Physics (University of Exeter)PhD in High Resolution Skin Imaging using MRI (University of Exeter)MSc in Radiation Physics (UCL) as part of the NHS Training scheme.NHS Training Scheme (rotations in Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine and MRI)"