Jamie Breen
Student spotlight details
Jamie, Senior Chemist and Quality Manager, came to the University of Oxford's Nanotechnology programme as a crucial step in realising his career ambition, to translate science from the benchtop to the clinic using nanotechnology.
'I’m originally from rural Northern Ireland and left school at 16 years old to begin a career, but within a year, I found myself taking up part-time education alongside my work, and so I was no stranger to this type of learning. I studied Natural Sciences at undergraduate level, specialising in Chemistry, and the direction for our dissertation was 'frontiers in chemistry'. I quickly found myself embroiled in the exciting world of nanochemistry, specifically in the interaction of materials at the nanoscale to create drug delivery vehicles.
'I continued working full-time throughout my undergraduate years, serving as a manager in retail and at heritage sites, before moving to managing and developing an accredited materials testing (chemical) laboratory in the construction industry upon completion of my undergraduate degree. Professionally, I am the Senior Chemist and company Quality Manager covering the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland operations of this same company.
'While my job role interested me and kept me busy, it was nowhere near as exciting as the thought of producing nano drug delivery vehicles that could change our understanding of systemic drug treatment, and so, within a year, I found myself in search of a master’s programme. After researching several programmes and their content, I found that the options that interested me were either to go full-time in Germany or to apply for the part-time course at the University of Oxford. I valued my career and everything I’d learnt from it, but I did not think someone with my background would be accepted at Oxford, and so I applied for both. To my surprise, I was offered an interview and quickly took up a place on the Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology, with the understanding that if I hit certain academic and funding stipulations that I could complete the MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care.
'The first year was intensive, with two of the modules being heavy in mathematics and physics (although I had been warned!). Modules were delivered entirely online, so I could continue with my career. Year Two was delivered in person, over three week-long residentials. I was initially worried about going back to a classroom for a full day, having not sat in one for almost ten years (and not particularly enjoying it back then either!). However, the module content was extremely interesting, delivered well, and spending time with our cohort in person was great. I decided to defer my research project to a third year, as I wanted to move to Oxford and complete it in person, given my chemistry background. Professor Robert Carlisle secured me an interesting project, and in the end, I moved for six months, working on an exciting protein-based nanoparticle for enhanced drug delivery.
'For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of the course was my cohort. While the course content was interesting and challenging, our cohort was diverse both in nationality and in professional backgrounds. The interdisciplinary nature of the cohort meant that any time we had group discussions or work projects, you got to see and appreciate solutions approached from almost every angle. It also gives an idea of just how far-reaching the field of nanotechnology is.
'The most rewarding part of the course for me was exposure to the Oxford ecosystem and the researchers here. It can be difficult to navigate at first, but I don’t believe there is anywhere else like it that brings together exceptional talent so well. During the course, lectures are delivered by experts in that field, and you are exposed to spinouts, researchers, and regulators alike.
'My long-term aspirations are to translate science from the benchtop to the clinic and/or market, and I intend to do that with nanotechnology. I was able to drive forward understanding of my master’s research very quickly, and have now taken up a DPhil on the same particles, which this lab group are looking to commercialise in the near future. As a direct result of the MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Healthcare, I’ve found myself positioned in the perfect place to learn the essentials for my long-term career aspirations.
'If you are considering taking a course with the department, my suggestion is to take the jump and do it. Given that the modules can be studied as standalone training courses, you can get a taster of the course if you are uncertain, but I am sure you will not be disappointed.'
