Leah Williams

I work as a Biocompatibility Specialist at ConvaTec. This means I assess medical devices to determine whether they are safe to use or not.

I like this job as it requires you to be interdisciplinary, meaning I still get exposure to a lot of different scientific disciplines within my work; Biocompatibility Specialist need to have an understanding of everything from the manufacturing processes to the packaging and sterilisation to the method of use to the patient physiology, and understand how all those factors might lead to risks when using a medical device. Patient safety is the number one concern.

I didn't really know that this type of position existed until during my year in industry, and even then I wasn't too sure about what exactly a Biocompatibility Specialist does, but my favourite modules during my degree looked at how cells responded to materials and external stimuli, and all materials science principles (including material properties, manufacturing techniques, medical materials, different ways of materials processing, etc) are very relevant to a position in Biocompatibility. So this felt like a natural option for me from a technical perspective.

There are also a lot of 'soft skills' I've learnt through doing a degree which I use every single day in my working life, such as communication, teamwork and time management.

Post 16 Education: AS Level: Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Graphics (you need a chill subject!) then A Level: Biology, Chemistry, Maths and EPQ - I researched into the potential of using nanotechnology for pancreatic cancer treatment

Higher Education: MEng Biomaterials Engineering. Currently doing a PhD in Biomaterials (new material development).

Why did you choose Biomaterials Engineering?

Because it was different and gave me the opportunity to study a range of sciences.

I didn't want to specialise, I wanted to do biology and engineering and chemistry and physics and maths! Basically, I hadn't decided exactly what I wanted to do yet, but knew I liked science and being creative with science. Studying Biomaterials would mean I had the option to work in a range of disciplines following graduation, from materials science to food science to the renewables industry to medical engineering and more.

The course modules also looked really interesting when I was doing my research before applying.

Leah’s experience as a student

Loughborough was my first choice because of the Biomaterials Engineering course they offered, and then when I visited the campus it felt like somewhere I wanted to be.

I really enjoyed studying at university because you had the opportunity to really explore whatever wanted to do and become the person you wanted to be. Outside of the course, the best things I did during my degree were to get involved with the orienteering club, with which I went on regular training weekends to the Peak District and Lake District, and also to complete a year in industry with DePuy Synthes, which really was an invaluable transition into the working world.

Use this time to give everything you have ever wanted to try or maybe have never even heard of a go!