Become a Member

Benefits of becoming a member include receiving the AWIS Newsletter, staying in touch with AWIS, and having your say

Malina Storer

Name:
Malina Storer

Current job title:
Medical Projects Manager

Organisation:
SYFT Technologies Ltd

Your role in AWIS:
Membership secretary, Website manager.
Previously newsletter editor, conference committee member, national convenor, and secretary.

Academic background: degree/uni
B.Sc (hons) Chemistry, University of Canterbury
PhD, Analytical Biochemistry, University of Otago, Christchurch

I'd always thought that by the time I finished my PhD I would have decided what I wanted to do when I grew up, but all that I had decided was I didn't want to move overseas to find a job and what ever job I did do I didn't want to spend all my time in the lab. With the help of my PhD supervisor I was fortunate enough to secure some short term work with SYFT technologies, but this still involved developing new tests! SYFT has comercialised the SIFT-MS, these instruments can detect and identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in trace amounts, instantaneously from whole air samples. The medical programme at Christchurch Hospital has the only SIFT-MS in a hospital setting anywhere. The SIFT-MS is being used to investigate how this technique can be used to identify disease through measuring VOCs in breath and in body fluids.  A few months into my first project, there was an opening for someone to coordinate some of the studies, and eventually this evolved into my current position of Medical Projects Manager. I'm finding this role is ideal for me, it involves a good mixture of patient contact, clinical study organisation, and even some assay development.

With the support of SYFT, I've recently become a Futureintech ambassador, which is a very rewarding experience. This lets me visit schools to inspire the younger generation of scientists.

Extra-curricular activities:
To stay motivated to exercise I enjoy competing in triathlons and road cycling events. I also love snow skiing in Winter and water sports in Summer.

Favourite book:
I don't really have a favourite, but I do enjoy a wide range including Chick Lit, thriller/detective, and adventure.

Favourite movie:
Love Actually, and the Princess Bride