Slides from a presentation given by Suzanna Hawkey (Public Health England) as part of the 2016 Careers After Biological Sciences season at the University of Leicester, UK. As well as describing her role, Suzanna gave insights into the principles of handling highly contagious organisms, and generic tips for anyone considering applying for a similar job.

1. Microbiology Trainer –
from high school to high
containment
Dr Suzanna Hawkey BSc, MSc, DBMS, FIBMS
Senior Microbiology Trainer,
Novel and Dangerous Pathogens Training,
PHE Porton
Salisbury

2. University
Teaching
Clinical
Microbiology
Research / Ref.
Microbiology
NADP
Training
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School / College
LEARNING
How I got here?

3. Public Health England was established on 1 April 2013 to bring
together public health specialists from more than 70 organisations
into a single public health service.
What we do
We protect and improve the nation's health and wellbeing, and reduce
health inequalities.
Who we are
We employ 5,000 staff (full-time equivalent), mostly scientists,
researchers and public health professionals
3
Public Health England
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4. 4
PHE Porton
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PHE Porton supports in preparing for and responding to health threats
by providing high containment microbiological research and reference
capabilities.
PHE Porton has an international reputation in scientific research, with
a long established record in the safe handling of hazardous
pathogens.
Porton Down site:
1916 Royal Engineers station
UK Military
1979 CAMR / DSTL
2003 HPA CEPR
2013 PHE Porton
2015 PHE / Porton Biopharma

5. 5
Emergency preparedness and response
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Novel & Dangerous Pathogens Training
PHE Porton
Biosafety and applied microbiology training
Customers:
- government agencies,
- technology companies,
- universities and
- foreign governments

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Biosafety Principles
Pathogens are categorised into four hazard groups:
HG1, HG2, HG3 and HG4

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Containment laboratories
Containment equipment
CL2 CL3 CL4
MSC I MSC II MSC IIIFFI

9. Training in the workplace
Unconscious
Incompetence
Conscious
Incompetence
Conscious
Competence
Unconscious
Competence
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10. Typical day as a microbiology trainer
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? Never the same
Depends on the course:
• Containment Level 3 / Applied refresher
• ISTR Biosafety Practitioner Level 1
• Basic Lab skills
• Molecular / Virology / HG3 Awareness
• Hitch Hikers Guide to Microbiology
• Ebola deployment / Olympic Preparedness
• International projects
• E learning development and authoring
- CL3 laboratory supervisor / lab work
- Risk assessments…….
International travel:
Azerbaijan, Turkey, Italy, Germany, European conferences & meetings
- Up and coming this year Thailand, India and China

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Theory and practices
- Biosafety principles in practice
- Specialist containment equipment
- Scenarios
- Specific techniques
- Identification methods / diagnostics
- Disinfectants and waste treatment
- Transport of biological material
- Inspection and audit
- Training and competency
- Professional development

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In the laboratory project work

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In the field

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Local community

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Career to date
1996 – 1999 Biological Sciences, (BSc Hon, Leicester)
1999 – 2000 Teacher training (PGCE, Leicester)
2000 – 2003 Teaching (NQT, QTS and supply) NW London , Cornwall
2003 – 2007 Clinical microbiology, Truro (HCPC / IBMS & MSc, Ulster)
2007 – 2009 Microbiologist, Research Porton (DBMS, Portsmouth)
2009 – 2010 Senior BMS, RIPL Porton
2010 – present Microbiology trainer, NADP Porton (2015 finished DBMS)
2007 – present Posters, publications, presentations
The future?

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Summary of top tips
- Don’t be afraid you are not always going in the direction expected
- You don’t know unless you ask
- Go for laboratory visits / volunteer if possible / environment
- Be prepared for interviews – find out about the organisation
- Sometimes it’s what you know opens doors
- Sometimes it’s who you know opens doors
- Read scientific literature, use critical appraisal tools makes it easier
- Health and safety important in all biological science careers
- Team working is very important – interpersonal skills
- Knowledge, skills and experience
- Relating what you learn to the real world or working in science

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High containment?