Published: 11th February 2025 - All information correct at time of publication.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science Q&A Julie Davies, Laboratory Director
At SYNLAB Laboratory Services, empowering our female colleagues to progress in their careers is very important to us. According to the Institute of Engineering and Technology, women only account for 29% of the STEM industry and this is a number we’d like to see increase.
As part of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we asked Julie Davies, Laboratory Manager, for her thoughts on how the UK can get more women in science and what she enjoys most about working in the industry.
What is your role at SYNLAB Laboratory Services?
I’m the Laboratory Director so I oversee both our toxicology and pathology laboratories.
How did you get into a career in STEM?
I graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Biochemistry, moving onto do a PhD in the Department of Neuroscience, looking at understanding one of the causes of blindness in the elderly.
I then got a position as a trainee clinical scientist in the NHS, undertaking an MSc in Clinical Biochemistry before moving to Cardiff on the Higher Specialist Training programme. This allowed me to ultimately become a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists once I had completed by FRCPath.
What do you love most about working in STEM?
The continually changing environment and working out the best way to apply what I know to make things better
Do you feel there have been a lot of women in STEM during your career?
My background has mainly been in healthcare so it’s pleasing to say I have seen more women than men in this field.
How do you think we can encourage more girls and young women to consider a career in STEM?
I think this depends on the area you are taking about. There seems to be disproportionately fewer women in the fields of maths, computer science and engineering and technology rather than the physical sciences.
For more information, get in touch here.
Published 11/02/25. All information correct at time of publication.
Written by Julie Davies – Laboratory Director.
Julie Davies | Laboratory Director
Julie joined SYNLAB in February 2024 as Laboratory Director, across both the pathology and toxicology services.
She previously worked at Wye Valley NHS Trust as the Clinical Director of the Department of Pathology; a role she undertook for about seven years. Julie was involved in developing a Pathology Network solution, acting as deputy SRO for the network in that area. At Wye Valley, she was involved in bringing in a new order communications solution, procuring a new LIMS system and transforming pathology services by bringing new equipment throughout blood sciences and refurbing a new laboratory.
Julie is also a member of the Royal College of Pathologists, qualified to FRCPath level and has a PhD from Manchester University, Department of Neuroscience and an MSc in Clinical Biochemistry
