Kyiah Howells

I strongly identify with the Quality Controller personality type. I value integrity, fairness, and responsibility, and I take pride in being trustworthy and ethical in my work. I care deeply about issues that affect others and have a strong sense of justice, which fits well with working in a regulated environment where accuracy and accountability matter. I also relate closely to the Developer type. I enjoy learning new things, challenging the way processes are done, and improving how work is carried out. I am strong‑willed and naturally drawn to problem‑solving, especially when it leads to better outcomes for both people and projects. Finally, I see myself as an Innovator. I am confident in sharing ideas, creative in my thinking, and good at understanding what others need. This combination allows me to contribute beyond my immediate tasks and engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

I am currently on an industrial placement year with Pfizer, working as a Junior Clinical Data Manager on a Phase III Oncology clinical study within a highly regulated, cross‑functional environment. My role involves reviewing and cleaning clinical trial data to ensure it is accurate, complete, and inspection‑ready. This includes safety and adverse event reviews, ECG and medication‑related data checks, maintaining study trackers and metrics, and managing essential clinical documentation within the Trial Master File. I also support quality control activities, biological sample reconciliations, and data freeze preparation, using systems such as Inform, jReview, DMW, SharePoint and Excel. Beyond my core role, I have contributed to vendor challenge activities, worked directly with external partners, and supported undergraduate recruitment through interviews and assessment reviews. Over time, I progressed from training to independently owning regular study deliverables and working closely with senior team members. The outcomes of my work are both professional and personal: I have built strong connections, gained confidence in a professional environment, and developed a clear understanding of how my skills contribute to real‑world impact. What I enjoy most is working with people from around the world on a study that ultimately aims to improve the lives of patients, knowing the work we do genuinely matters.

I have always enjoyed STEM subjects and was particularly drawn to science at school because I loved understanding why things happen. This led me to study Chemistry, Maths and Physics at A‑level, and I am currently studying Chemistry at university. Choosing a career in STEM felt natural to me because science has always genuinely interested me, rather than feeling like something I “should” do. Alongside my studies, I spent several years tutoring, which played a big role in strengthening my passion for STEM. Teaching young people and helping them understand scientific concepts showed me how impactful science education can be and how much I enjoyed working with others in this space. I was inspired by both my teachers and the satisfaction that comes from problem‑solving and learning. Science fascinates me because it helps explain the world around us, and that curiosity is what ultimately led me to pursue a placement year in industry, where I can apply what I learn to real‑world challenges that have a positive impact on people’s lives.

Outside of work, I absolutely love cooking (and eating!). I enjoy exploring different cuisines from around the world, experimenting with new ingredients and techniques, and recreating dishes at home. I also love going out to eat in London and discovering new restaurants, from small independent places to well‑known favourites. I spend a lot of my free time watching cooking shows, following food content online, and reading cookbooks to learn more. It might surprise people that I’m just as enthusiastic about trying out a new recipe as I am about working with data and science — both involve creativity, problem‑solving and a lot of curiosity.

A typical day at work involves a mix of independent and collaborative tasks. I spend a lot of time at my computer reviewing clinical trial data, responding to and raising queries, maintaining trackers and metrics, and filing essential documents within the Trial Master File to support inspection‑ready practices. I regularly attend team meetings and study update calls, where I collaborate with colleagues across different functions and countries. My role also includes data reconciliations, routine data reviews, and quality control activities to ensure trial data is accurate and reliable. Although I am not working on one single project, my day‑to‑day work contributes to the bigger picture of a Phase III clinical trial, with the ultimate goal of supporting safe and effective treatments for patients. I am continually taking on more responsibility, supporting larger tasks, and building a deeper understanding of clinical science, which helps both my personal development and the wider team. 

I completed my GCSEs, achieving 11 GCSEs including Mathematics and English. I then studied A‑levels in Chemistry (A), Mathematics (A), and Physics (B). I am currently studying BSc (Hons) Chemistry at the University of Manchester, where I chose to complete an industrial placement year as part of my degree. During this placement year, I am working as a Junior Clinical Data Manager within Pfizer Oncology, supporting a Phase III clinical trial in a regulated, cross‑functional environment. Alongside my formal education, I have several years of experience tutoring Maths, English and Science at GCSE level and below, both privately and through tuition centres. This experience strengthened my communication skills, confidence, and ability to explain complex ideas clearly, all of which have been valuable in my STEM career to date.