This is week 2 of our Women in STEM careers series in collaboration with Shorla Oncology, where we introduce you to inspiring women making strides in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This week, meet Tamara, a dedicated professional at Shorla Oncology:
Hey Shona Project! My name is Tamara, I am 29 years old and a proud Tipperary woman. I work as a Quality Assurance Specialist for a pharmaceutical company called Shorla Pharma. In my spare time, you will find me running to stay active, with my dog or shopping to discover the latest trends (much to my wallet’s dismay!). I love being outdoors (which isn’t ideal living in Ireland), so I am always looking for new walking trails and various other ways to stay active in nature.
Discovering a Passion for Science in School
My school life was a balanced mix; I didn’t love school, but I didn’t hate it either. There were subjects and activities that I enjoyed, and others that were more challenging for me (I am still to find someone who actually enjoyed learning Irish!). Over the years, I found myself naturally gravitating towards the science subjects; they engaged an interest in me that I hadn’t really experienced with any other subject.
A Life-Changing Inspiration
I think what really sealed the deal for me was when I was in 5th year. Our science class had a woman guest speaker who was a pathologist (random, I know, but brilliant). She spoke of her day-to-day work, analyzing samples in the lab, diagnosing diseases, and investigating how diseases ‘think’ and how this can be directly used to influence treatment decisions and patient outcomes. I was in AWE of this woman and her work. Up until this point, I had no idea what I wanted to do in the future. I had entered the ‘Senior Cycle’ in school – talk of Leaving Cert points, colleges, and courses was at the top of everyone’s mind. So, fresh from my pathologist talk, I went looking into different science courses, went to several college open days, and eventually landed on Biological and Chemical Sciences at University College Cork.
My Journey Through College and Beyond
My college course was great; it gave me a taste of everything – microbiology, biochemistry, neuroscience, physiology, physics, and mathematics, to name a few. I decided to focus on the biological sciences and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology in 2017. I learned everything from yeast fermentation of beer (which came in handy early on in my career when I worked in a yeast propagation lab for Bulmer’s Irish Cider!) to genetic engineering of DNA!
A Day in the Life of a Quality Assurance Specialist
I started working at Shorla just over two years ago. I had followed Shorla on LinkedIn from its inception and was so impressed by its remarkable growth (in such a short period of time) and the big plans it had for the future. It was also founded by two women, which made it even more appealing.
Every day is different at Shorla, which I thoroughly enjoy, but a typical day for me involves a mix of routine tasks, project work, and collaboration with other departments to ensure that all our products meet quality and regulatory standards. This may include reviewing batch records, deviation reports, change control documents, or conducting audits.
My favorite thing about my job is that I learn something new every single day. Every day brings new problems to solve and opportunities to learn, which keeps me engaged and motivated. I also get to see firsthand Shorla’s commitment to addressing unmet medical needs and the chance to make a huge difference in the field of oncology.
For me, working in STEM means being at the forefront of innovation, research, and discovery, contributing to solving real-world problems, and being part of a global industry that is making an impact on patients’ lives all over the world. The room for growth is endless. We are leaning into science and technology more than ever to find solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. How exciting is it to be a part of that?
My Advice to Young Girls Considering a STEM Career
My advice to young girls looking to pursue a STEM careers: Let your curiosity guide your learning. Believe in your abilities and don’t be afraid to take on challenging subjects. Be aware of stereotypes and biases that may exist, but don’t let them limit your aspirations. The career possibilities are endless, and there are no limits to where you can go. You won’t regret it 😊.
Are you inspired by Tamara story? Stay tuned for 3 more women in STEM careers stories from the Shorla Oncology team over the coming weeks, or check out the last story from Audrene here! Let us know if this is inspiring you to consider exploring your own path in science and technology! x
Shorla Oncology was established in 2018 by co-founders Sharon Cunningham (CEO) and Orlaith Ryan (CTO). Shorla Oncology is an Irish-US speciality pharmaceutical company that develops innovative solutions into effective oncology treatments to improve patients’ lives. The company has an advanced pipeline of innovative oncology drugs for orphan and pediatric cancers. Shorla is focused on indications where existing treatments are limited, in shortage or the drug applications are inadequate for the target population. The company’s growing portfolio brings accessible, affordable and life-saving treatments to patients, delivering a major contribution to patient care. Shorla currently markets two products, Nelarabine Injection for the treatment of T-cell Leukemia and JYLAMVO for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other indications. Recently Shorla Oncologys TEPYLUTE has been approved by the FDA to treat breast and ovarian cancer.
