Technicians Network Steering Group members

Meet the members of the Technicians Network Steering Group.

Sarah Northey profile image

Sarah Northey, Network Chair and Senior Core Laboratory Technician, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences

I graduated from Liverpool John Moores University studying Biochemistry and Forensic Science. I started my scientific career as a DNA analysis in LGC, after 3 years I moved on to become a Forensic Examiner in LGC Forensics.

I began working at the University of Liverpool as a Core Laboratory grade 4 Technician in 2013. I worked in the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, supporting research activity in the department of women and children health primarily based in the Liverpool women's hospital. My main rolls where processing human samples, maintaining cleaning of the laboratories as well as training students in numerous techniques including but not limited to PCR, tissue sectioning including frozen sections and immunohistochemistry.

In 2019 I became the Senior Core technician in the same department but primarily based in the Institute it the Park at Alder Hey Children's hospital. I carried out number of techniques in molecular biology, biochemistry, bacterial work and tissue culture. I gained extensive in-depth experience in all these areas but specifically in tissue culture both primary and cell line techniques. I also supported the management and daily running of the laboratory, ordering, servicing and maintenance of equipment plus training members of staff and students. I was the human materials officer for the institute in the park.

All these extra responsibilities I took on lead to in 2023 me gaining a new position as Technical Supervisor. I work in the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences. I help manage all the labs within the institute spread across numerous sites as well as supporting and supervising the technical teams within the institute.

I am a member of the Institute of Science and Technology and a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) with the Science Council. I am also an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Jenny Bradley profile image

Jenny Bradley, Research and Teaching Technician, School of Environmental Sciences

I graduated from the University of Leeds with a BSc degree in Geography, and followed this with an MSc in Environment and Climate Change here at The University of Liverpool. I joined the University in 2015 as a Research and Teaching Technician in the Department of Geography, and am now also the lead technician for the department's Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) lab, where I oversee the day-to-day running of the lab. In my current role I provide a wide range of support to both students and staff alike across a variety of classes and modules. I assist on field trips; including residential teaching classes, and research trips to collect samples for current grant projects.

Jan Brett profile image

Jan Brett, Technical Development and Planning Officer, Technology, Infrastructure and Environment Directorate

I have a B.Sc. (Hons) in Biomedical Technology from Sheffield Hallam University and a M.Sc. Molecular Genetics from Leicester University. I have worked as both a research assistant and technician working my way up the grades from 4-7 inclusive at a number of higher education institutions, including time spent working at the University of Queensland in Australia.

I was a technical team leader managing the research labs at Leahurst for over thirteen years and in July 2020 moved into my new role in the Directorate. Now I aim to support the development of our technical staff and embed the aims of the Technician Commitment. I have a member of the Institute of Science and Technology and I am registered as Chartered Scientist with the Science Council.

Josh Hicks

Josh Hicks, Teaching Laboratory Technician, Central Teaching Laboratories

I started at the University in 2012 as an apprentice, after completing my apprenticeship I then gained full time employment at the University in the CTL as a Technician in the undergraduate teaching labs. The multidisciplinary nature of the CTL means I am involved in Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Sciences.

Lukasz Lukomski

Lukasz Lukomski, Core Technician, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences

I obtained my BSc and my MSc in Zoology at the Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań (Poland) working on reintroduction projects and population ecology of dormice (2004). I moved to Liverpool to study for a PhD with Mike Begon and Malcolm Bennett where I studied cowpox infection in field voles in Kielder Forest.

I have worked as a research technician in the Institute of Integrative Biology at the University of Liverpool for several years. I currently work as a technician on a research project investigating immunodynamics and infectious disease in a wild field vole population led by Professors Steve Paterson and Mike Begon, on which I co-manage and lead a group of technical and research staff and students. I manage both the laboratory and fieldwork sides of the project and had a major role in the initial set-up of the project including financial and logistic aspects.

In 2017 I joined the core team in Biosciences building. I am responsible for day to day maintenance of several labs and assisting multiple research projects.

Mike Knapper

Mike Knapper

I joined the University in 2013 as a Grade 2 lab technician working in the life sciences teaching labs and autoclave room. In 2015 I made a sideways move to join the Human Anatomy Resource Centre, our department focuses on the undergraduate teaching of Anatomy, Medical and Dental students using human cadaveric material as well as CPD events for groups of surgical practitioners. We work closely with Liverpool City Council to ensure that the dying wishes of our donors can be fulfilled as they seek to donate their bodies to Medical science.

I originally joined the HARC as a Grade 2 lab technician, being promoted to a Grade 4 technician in 2018 and then became the Deputy Technical Manager in 2021 after spending some time acting up in the role. I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to show that I could take the role on and then to be given it permanently. Since becoming the Deputy Technical Manager, I have spent a good chunk of my time overhauling all our safety documents and protocols as well as line managing a great team of 6 teaching technicians to ensure the smooth running of the lab spaces for all users.

During my time at the University I have undertaken CPD training including IOSH certifications and Management Essentials training through the Academy and am the departments sustainability lead recently receiving the silver LEAF award. I am also a member of the Institute of Anatomical Sciences which shares best practice with other University medical schools.

I am also a qualified Horticulturalist in both Practical and Theoretical Horticulture with the Royal Horticultural Society.

Sarah Gare, Technician, Analytical Services

I work in Analytical Services as a Technician and started at the University in September 2022. I have primary responsibility for the ICP-OES service. I support project students to carryout LC-MS and train students and staff to use the self-service equipment available in Analytical Services in the Department of Chemistry.

Prior to this I worked at LJMU as an Analytical Chemistry Technician in Teaching for five years. I graduated from the University of Hull in 2006 with an MChem in Chemistry with Forensic Science and Toxicology. After graduating I worked in Drug metabolism for a contract research company for nine years.

I am a registered scientist, a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and of the British Mass Spectrometry Society. I have two children aged nine and 12 and in my spare time I am Cub Scout leader.

Michael Bayliss, Senior IT and AV Technician, School of Histories, Languages and Cultures

I have a BSc (Hons) in music technology from the University of Stafford and have previously worked as a performing arts technician at a sixth-form college. I have also worked in theatres doing lighting, sound, and stage building, and in a recording studio working with artists. I ran a record label during my time at university, where I signed, mixed, mastered, created music videos, and gave people the full artist experience over four years.

Having joined the University in 2018, I won a Learning, Teaching and Student Experience (LTSE) award in 2022 for supporting project-based learning in student radio broadcasting. In the academic year 2022-23, I became an Apple-certified technician in MacOS and iPadOS, and completed my associate fellowship with AdvanceHE (AFHEA). In 2023, I was shortlisted for a University of Liverpool staff award and for a Papin Prize.

I am always looking at ways on improving how I am as a technician and how I can push myself to perform better each and every year. I contribute to several podcasts across the University due to my audio background, including Kinways, Podcast con Tilde and the Bibliography podcast.

In my spare time I run and produce the Warrington Football Podcast and enjoy gardening as a way to relax and switch of from work.

Heath Bagshaw, SEM Shared Research Facility Manger and FSE SRF Operations Manager

During my career I have worked my way up from a grade 4 to a grade 8 and am a firm believer that anything is possible if you work hard, take opportunities and have the right support behind you. This is why I think the technicians commitment and the Technicians Network is so important, and am glad to be a part of it.

My career progression has certainly not been in a straight line. I graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in chemistry with polymer science, then did a MSc in analytical chemistry at Manchester Metropolitan University before returning to Sheffield as a research technician to work on a specific project. After a few years I started to study for a PhD on a part-time basis and this is where I got started in electron microscopy. After promotion to senior technician, I finally finished my PhD and became an Experimental Officer working in the Materials Department's EM labs.

I then moved to Trinity College Dublin where I helped run an analytical lab with a significant commercial focus. I moved back to the UK in 2015 to run the analysis labs as a Senior Experimental Officer at the University of Manchester's Williamson Research Centre, before moving to the University of Liverpool in March 2019.

Karen Ryan

Karen Ryan, Core Research Technician, CIMI, IVES

My scientific career began 35 years ago having worked in areas including the pharmaceutical industry, Unilever research, infection control research and as a school science technician. I have a BSc (Hons) in Applied Microbiology from Liverpool John Moores University.

I joined the University in 2013 as a Grade 3 core technician at the Leahurst campus in the research labs. I then completed three maternity cover secondments at Grade 5: core research technician, vet diagnostic microbiology technician and plant research technician. Since April 2022 I have worked in CIMI as a Grade 5 core technician and also provide research support.

I am a trained phlebotomist and I collect blood from volunteers for various clinical projects within the department. Member of the Institute of Science and Technology, a Registered scientist (RSci) and a registrant champion with both the Science Council and University of Liverpool. Outside of work I’m a mum of two daughters and in my spare time I love spending time in my garden.

Aron Barrass

Aron Barrass, Senior Teaching Technician

In 2009 I graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a BSc in Zoology. From there I then completed a part-time master's degree in Virology in 2020.

I joined the University of Liverpool in 2016 as a Core Technician in the Life Sciences teaching team, where I worked for five years incorporating two different roles. I later moved to Biosciences for two years as a Senior Core Research Technician where my main responsibility was to ensure the day-to-day running of the labs. Whilst here, I was seconded to a cell culture research project for Douglas Kell's research group, examining multiple transporter cells and their methods for protein uptake.

Recently, I have returned to the Life Sciences team as a Senior Technician where I now assist in line managing a team of 20 technicians. As part of my current role, it is my responsibility to support undergraduate teaching and lead a number of varied teaching modules including Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Veterinary Sciences and Zoology.

I am also a member of the Institute of the Royal Society of Biology and a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) with the Science Council.

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