A Look into Immunogenicity: Colleague Spotlight on Emily Mallett

In Abzena’s Bioassay department at our Cambridge, UK site, Senior Scientists, like Emily Mallett, play a vital role in advancing drug safety through pre-clinical immunogenicity assessment.

Emily’s journey to Abzena’s Cambridge, UK site is a testament to her dedication and passion for science, reflecting our company’s core values.

Moving Into Science

Emily’s career path has been anything but conventional. She was originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and moved to the UK in 2006. Her professional journey began in the finance industry, where she spent two years working in a Norwich-based call center. However, Emily soon realized that her true passion lay in the sciences.

Determined to pursue her interest, she enrolled in an honors degree program in Natural Sciences through the Open University at the age of 23. Emily successfully graduated and chose to enter the science industry, starting her career at the prestigious Sanger Institute.

At the Sanger Institute, she began as a Cellular Generation and Phenotyping team lab technician. Her hard work and dedication led to a promotion to Research Assistant , where she contributed to significant projects such as the Mutational Signatures (Insignia) project, the Human Cancer Model Initiative, and malaria knockout studies. After three years at Sanger, Emily sought new challenges and found her way to Abzena’s Immunogenicity team in Cambridge.

A Role of Immunogenicity Expertise

Joining Abzena seven years ago, Emily was drawn to the Immunogenicity team by her fascination with how new drugs interact with the immune system and her relevant experience in isolating PBMC from whole blood. As a Senior Scientist, Emily has developed into a management role, overseeing two service lines within the immunogenicity team and mentoring two fellow scientists.

Her expertise is in silico immunogenicity and MHC Class II Associated Peptide Proteomics (MAPPs) is crucial to our projects. Emily’s day-to-day responsibilities involve a blend of office and laboratory tasks, including managing project timelines, training team members, and maintaining strong customer relationships. She balances collaborative projects with independent studies, ensuring that objectives are met timely and efficiently.

“I enjoy mentoring my team and seeing them grow in their careers,” Emily shares. Her commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment makes her an excellent role model for junior team members.

Life at Babraham Campus

Emily values the serene environment of the Babraham campus, nestled in the picturesque Cambridgeshire countryside. The ample green spaces provide a tranquil setting for focused work and moments of relaxation. “It’s always exciting to see a heron land just outside the lab,” she notes, highlighting her love for nature and the peaceful surroundings that enhance her daily work experience.

Embracing New Opportunities

Emily’s experience highlights the growth potential when embracing new opportunities, even those outside one’s initial field of expertise. Her journey to a science career demonstrates that with the right attitude and willingness to learn, transitioning into a new industry can lead to a rewarding and fulfilling career. Emily’s story is an inspiring example of how passion and perseverance can drive significant professional achievements.

Join Our Team at Abzena

At Abzena, we recognize the value of diverse experiences and backgrounds within our team. Emily’s journey exemplifies the opportunities available for those who are passionate about making a difference in the field of immunogenicity and drug safety. If Emily’s story inspires you and you want to contribute to meaningful projects, we invite you to explore career opportunities with us.

Visit our Careers Portal to learn more about current openings and how you can become a part of our dedicated team.

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