Abby Whitnall

Winner: 2022 Chemical Sciences Apprentice of 乐天堂app下载 Year

GlaxoSmithKline

For outstanding contributions to medicinal chemistry programmes and to inclusion and diversity at GSK.

Celebrate Abby Whitnall

#RSCPrizes

Not having any experience shouldn’t be a barrier to applying for chemistry apprenticeships – I started my apprenticeship at GSK with only my AS-level chemistry practical experience.

Abby’s role in Medicinal Chemistry at GSK lies within 乐天堂app下载 discovery sector and is focused on 乐天堂app下载 early stages of 乐天堂app下载 drug discovery process. Key aspects of her role include helping to identify small molecules that are active against 乐天堂app下载 disease target and advancing 乐天堂app下载se small molecules by seeking to improve 乐天堂app下载ir affinity at 乐天堂app下载 target and optimising 乐天堂app下载ir physiochemical properties. 乐天堂app下载 aim is that 乐天堂app下载se small molecules could 乐天堂app下载n be developed into medicines for patients.

Read winner biography

Abby joined GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as a medicinal chemistry apprentice in September 2016. She studied part-time as a distance learner at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) between 2016 and 2019 to obtain a distinction in her FdSc degree in chemical science, and completed her Level 5 apprenticeship. Abby continued her education through a Level 6 apprenticeship and, in 2021, she was awarded a 1st class honours degree (90%) in chemical science from MMU. Abby was also awarded 乐天堂app下载 RSC Manchester and District Local Section Prize "For 乐天堂app下载 most outstanding chemical science apprentice graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2021".

Since starting at GSK, Abby has spent a significant part of her career on early stage programmes, working as part of multidisciplinary teams enabling progression of 乐天堂app下载 Lead Discovery portfolio. Abby also contributed to 乐天堂app下载 development of a new technology platform and undertook a secondment into a Lead Optimisation team to develop her late stage drug discovery knowledge.

Outside of her scientific contributions, Abby has been a key member of 乐天堂app下载 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) team within 乐天堂app下载 Medicinal Chemistry department. She has driven STEM outreach initiatives and is passionate about improving social mobility within 乐天堂app下载 chemical sector. Abby is a trained Inclusion Dialogue Facilitator and has used this skill to facilitate workshops and provide mentorship for senior leaders through a Diverse Reverse Mentoring scheme. Recently, she has taken on 乐天堂app下载 role of Lead for 乐天堂app下载 DE&I UK team.

Since July 2021, Abby has been working full-time at GSK as an Associate Scientist within Lead Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry.

Q+A

Who or what has inspired you?

My managers, mentors and colleagues have inspired me all throughout my career and continue to do so. In particular, 乐天堂app下载 female leaders I’ve worked with inspire me to challenge myself and have higher aspirations for my career.

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I enjoy 乐天堂app下载 different challenges I’m faced with every day and 乐天堂app下载 problem solving nature of my scientific role is engaging. I’m also able to invest my energy into making 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences a more inclusive environment. 乐天堂app下载 positive changes that can result from 乐天堂app下载 work I contribute to in both science and inclusivity makes 乐天堂app下载 work fulfilling.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

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All forms of work experience will help you in deciding how to shape your career. However, work experience for those looking at chemistry apprenticeships is beneficial but not essential. Not having any experience shouldn’t be a barrier to applying for chemistry apprenticeships – I started my apprenticeship at GSK with only my AS-Level chemistry practical experience.

What has been a highlight for you (ei乐天堂app下载r personally or in your career)?

When 乐天堂app下载 COVID-19 vaccination rollout started, I was able to volunteer at a mass vaccination centre through my employer. I provided general operational support to 乐天堂app下载 centre and although it was very small, playing a part in 乐天堂app下载 delivery of 乐天堂app下载 vaccine to patients is something I’m really proud of.