Dr Eleni Birli is a Molecular Scientist with Cellomatics Biosciences who was born and raised in Patras, the third largest city and the regional capital of, Western Greece. Patras is situated at the foot of Mount Panachaikon, overlooking the Gulf of Patras. As Eleni says, “imagine a city similar to Nottingham but with constant sunshine and wonderful beaches.” If only!
Eleni enjoyed her school years and believes the education system in Greece to be similar to the UK with one notable exception, at least as far as she knows. Eleni’s education including her degree and her master’s were free. This may no longer be the case for students studying for their master’s degree, but Eleni was the grateful recipient of a fully funded educational system.
Having particularly enjoyed the subjects of Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics, it was whilst studying as an undergrad that the turning point for Eleni came when, at the age of eighteen, she donned a white coat to enter a lab for the first time. “It took me by surprise that I should be so interested in science when none of my family have ever been involved or showed any interest in science,” she remarks.
Having made her choice, Eleni believed that a move away from Greece – and home – was the only option available to her to pursue a serious career in science, as options at home were quite limited, and so Eleni moved to the UK five and half years ago.
She must have been a good advocate for Nottingham because within a year her boyfriend followed and within 2 years, her brother also joined, both following in her footsteps of attending Nottingham Trent University but there the similarity ends as both choose to undertake a master’s degree in Management.
Eleni studied for her master’s degree in Chemical Biology which she followed up with a PhD, again at NTU, at the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre. The work and the state-of-the-art equipment at the Centre which Eleni had access to delivered a unique experience, allowing her to develop and expand her skillset and confidence. Nottingham Trent University offered her a year’s research position during which time she completed her thesis, they then offered her a post-doc position, but she took the decision to leave.
She joined Cellomatics inSeptember last year, after completing her PhD at Nottingham Trent University, and loves it!
“Here at Cellomatics I’m learning so much.. different methods, liaising with clients, being encouraged to think outside the box and be creative with solutions. The management team are extremely encouraging and instil a sense of trust which allows me to grow.”
Eleni’s day to day work is varied and covers a multitude of different projects including molecular biology, tissue work and bespoke testing for clients.
“I see myself being here for foreseeable future. I’m really enjoying it and I love living in Nottingham too to the point that I miss it when I visit home!”
And her goals? “Promotion.. eventually. Seniority will come with experience,” she says.
And why science? Eleni’s nature is naturally inquisitive, wanting to discover cause and effect.. and where it might lead. She also believes that some of the best discoveries emanate from mistakes. “You just never know what the results are going to be and that constant surprise is what keeps me interested.”
To find out more about current vacancies at Cellomatics, visit our careers page.
