International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Interview with Fiona Garner (Class of 1994)

Enrichment pupils, Ruth and Matthew, recently interviewed Fiona to gain an insight into her science career and how her time at Watson's influenced her route into science.

1. Why do you feel it is important that the participation of women and girls in science is celebrated?

Celebrating females in science is an important way to raise awareness of a scientific career path and the varied and different opportunities that exist. Over the last 20 years, careers in science have evolved and expanded a lot, so it is great to learn and recognize what female scientists have achieved.
 
2. Did you have to overcome any major setbacks en route to where you are today? If so, what were they and how did you overcome them?

After completing my PhD, I continued my lab-based research as a postdoc, first at AstraZeneca then at Manchester University. However, I really wanted to be more involved in clinical trial work. I found that transition to be a really hard one – firstly because I had no clinical experience, and second, I was often told I was too overqualified because I had a PhD! To gain more “experience” I took courses to get insights into how clinical trials are run and to understand the requirements and expectations of different clinical trial jobs. I had many letters of rejections over an 18-month period, but I was finally accepted to join the NHS Scotland Clinical Trials unit as a junior clinical research associate. The person who hired me also had a similar background (PhD scientist) and had successfully made the transition into clinical research, so understood the challenges I was facing and she appreciated my tenacity in making the move into clinical research. Although I was still early in my career (I was around 30), I had to take a significant pay cut and start at the beginning of the clinical research career ladder. Looking back now, this was the best move I made! I LOVE doing clinical work and as it turns out, having both a scientific PhD and clinical trials experience gives me a unique and valuable skill set to develop new cancer drugs for patients.
 
3. How do you think we could get more women and girls involved in science?

Getting girls involved early in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Maths) through engaging and fun classes can help foster an interest and open up career options. As female scientists it is important that we make ourselves available for career guidance, networking opportunities and providing internships to encourage young women to explore scientific roles. I have benefited from several female mentors who have encouraged me to step up and be heard in an often male-dominated environment, and I try to pay that forward by encouraging my female mentees to do the same.
 
4. What is the best part about your career in science?

It is incredibly fulfilling to speak to the doctors who are using or testing our medicines and hear the impact it is having on their patients’ lives. I once spoke directly to patient who had heard me present at a conference – she tracked me down to say thank you for all the work we were doing. It’s a moment I have never forgotten and keeps me inspired to work.
 
5. How did GWC influence, or support your route into science?

I had an amazing biology teacher - Dr McDonald, who made learning fun! He explained genetics in a way I found captivating and encouraged me to apply to do genetics at Edinburgh University…which I did although I ended up graduating in Immunology!
 
6. What is something you wish you knew about your field before you left school?

At school I had no idea about clinical research and wish there had been options to get some work experience in biotechs or pharma companies. I live and work in Boston, MA which is a biotechnology hub There is a great program here for high schoolers to get work experience and insights through summer internships with local biotechs. It really helps shine a light on jobs that exist in science beyond the traditional lab-based role.