Sharing Love Of Science

30/07/08 Sharing Love Of Science - Pfizer

A Kent woman committed to inspiring young people to engage with science has been selected to represent Pfizer in a global initiative to promote the human issues and faces behind scientific research.

Sonia Patel, 28, of Canterbury, joined the international healthcare company at its European R&D headquarters at Sandwich five years ago and worked with the team involved in the company¹s groundbreaking HIV research.

Miss Patel is featured among scientists talking about their work in the laboratories and beyond in Pfizer¹s science awareness programme promoting exceptional researchers, Think Science Now.

The programme links with www.bigthink.com an interactive social networking site providing information and discussions on politics, law, business and science as a means to support greater public dialogue on thought-provoking issues.

Visitor to the Big Think website have the opportunity to vote for the most inspiring scientist featured on the site this summer. For each vote cast, Pfizer is making a donation to a not-for-profit organization providing resources and materials for science projects in US schools.

The Pfizer Think Science Now campaign also complements the company's sponsorship of NOVA scienceNOW a spin-off of NOVA, the most popular science program on US television this summer, which will include a profile of a scientist in each episode.

"This has been a marvelous chance for me to talk about my work and let everyone, but particularly young people, know about all the different and incredibly exciting opportunities available in a science career," said Miss Patel

"It is hard for schools and college to really communicate the wide range of paths available to science students. I believe it is up to people like me who are following inspiring careers to encourage young people to actively engage with science and seriously consider working in the field.

"It is not all white laboratory coats and glasses. At Pfizer I am at the heart of an incredibly fast-paced industry working with and learning from experts in their fields on a daily basis. It is work that can be painstaking and, at times, disappointing because developing a successful new medicine is difficult.

"But it is that small chance of discovering a compound that makes it through the laboratory, clinical testing and a licence to be prescribed that keeps it exciting and motivates us all. We could make a tremendous difference to people¹s lives around the world."

Miss Patel's first post at Pfizer, after qualifying as a registered pharmacist, was supporting the drug discovery team. Now she is working as a formulation scientist developing the first tablets or capsules for human clinical trials an essential stage in the 10-12-year development from discovering a new molecule to bringing a new medicine to market and making it available to patients.

Miss Patel, who grew up in Leicester and studied for her Masters in Pharmacy at Nottingham University, is no stranger to the camera.

She featured in the popular television series Location, Location, Location when she was seeking to buy a house in Canterbury.

"It was great fun and I really like the house the team helped me find,"she said.

"I have always enjoyed contemporary art and it was one of the subjects I had to put to one side when I started studying science A-levels. I was on a tight budget when I moved into my house so I decided to create my own art works for the walls and that was fun. And I do still find to keep my interest in art going and I am fortunate to have friends who run galleries
in London."

Outside the laboratories Miss Patel is also a keen cyclist and tennis enthusiast and regularly goes to the gym.

"The flexible hours at Pfizer are really helpful if you enjoy sport as you can arrange your day to make the most of playing sport in the summer sunshine!" she added.

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