Annabel Morris

Winner: 2024 RSC Apprentice Prize

AstraZeneca

For the development of automated capabilities and upskilling of colleagues in automation, enabling efficient, high-throughput, data-rich experimentation and supporting apprentice wellbeing.

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Personally, taking the apprenticeship route over the traditional university approach was the right decision for me as I’ve not only gained a huge amount of work experience, but I’ve also learned a lot about myself and the way I work, which has been incredibly valuable.

Annabel Morris works in chemical development at AstraZeneca, using automation and parallel experimentation to support the development of synthetic routes to manufacture its medicines. The chemical development team’s work is crucial to ensuring medicines are efficiently manufactured and can be rapidly delivered to patients across the globe.

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Annabel is in the final year of a Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship at AstraZeneca, working in high-throughput experimentation (HTE) and automation, while also studying for a BSc in Chemical Science. She started the programme in 2020 after completing A-levels, and throughout her four years, she has worked on a variety of automation platforms. Annabel led the solubility screening platform to generate important solubility data on intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to support solvent choices in synthetic routes. She then supported the installation and setup of a new weighing robot, delivering training on this kit to help scientists reduce the time taken to complete this manual task.

Most recently, Annabel has been working on her final year project, developing an HTE templated screen that runs using automation to contribute to accelerated route design. Alongside her technical role, Annabel has supported a number of apprentice-related initiatives, such as attending careers fairs to promote the apprenticeship scheme and creating and co-leading the Apprentice Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Group. Annabel will graduate in July 2024 and will continue at AstraZeneca as a full-time scientist in September.

Q&A

What motivates you?

I really enjoy solving problems in both my technical and apprentice support work. This was particularly key in delivering the solubility screening service as I was able to work with projects to design screens to answer specific questions or problems about a process, which was really rewarding. I also really enjoy helping others and trying to make a positive change through initiatives such as the Apprentice Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Group.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

There are so many ways to pursue chemistry and I would really encourage exploring all options. Personally, taking the apprenticeship route over the traditional university approach was the right decision for me as I’ve not only gained a huge amount of work experience, but I’ve also learned a lot about myself and the way I work, which has been incredibly valuable.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

The freedom we’re given as apprentices to determine our own development and create the support we need has been particularly rewarding. In my scientific work, I was able to second into a different team, which helped me gain different perspectives, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn new skills and broaden outside of my specialist role. Outside of my scientific role, I worked with two other apprentices to create and lead a new Apprentice Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Group, which is a particular highlight. The group helps promote mental health support services and create a space where the apprentice community can come together and share knowledge.

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

Starting work in September 2020, when the pandemic was still prevalent, and after relocating to Macclesfield for the apprenticeship, was an especially challenging time as it was much harder to meet people properly at work and settle into the huge change in environment. It took a long while to feel fully integrated into working life, but I was really lucky to have people around me going through the same thing and be able to support each other. After struggling with this transition myself, I was involved in developing a new relocation package, specifically for apprentices, to help with the 'moving away from home' aspect of starting an apprenticeship, hopefully making this less overwhelming for new apprentices.