Profile

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Codie Freeman

    • About Me:

      I’m a BSc pharmaceutical chemistry student currently on a placement year working as an Analytical Chemist. I love learning new things, seeing live music and watching Arsenal play. ⚽🧪

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      During my placement as an Analytical Chemist, I’ve enjoyed gaining hands-on experience and learning how lab work supports real projects. Outside of work, I love live music gigs, watching the football, and days out with friends. I’m curious, friendly, and always up for learning something new.

    • My pronouns are:

      he/him

    • My Work:

      I work in a contract research lab that tests materials for other companies, mainly in the pharmaceutical industry. We help other companies test and understand their materials so they can develop and improve their products.

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      I work on testing the physical properties of materials for other companies, mainly in the pharmaceutical industry but also cosmetic and other industries for human consumption. My days and weeks vary depending on what research different companies need, so I’m always working on something new. The role involves a lot of problem-solving, as I help figure out how materials behave and get reliable results.

    • My Typical Day:

      I wake up at 7am and get ready for work, I cycle into work and start my day around 9am after getting my morning coffee. It differs from day to day but I have lots of time in both the lab and office, working on projects or completing reports and updating my lab notebook. I get lunch from the canteen with my colleagues at around mid day, and continue with the work from the morning as many analytical techniques can run over multiple hours or even days. I leave the lab to go home at around 5pm.

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      No two days are the same in my work. Some weeks I spend more time in the lab running experiments, while other weeks I focus on analysing results, writing reports, or updating my lab notebook.

      The experiments I do can take hours or even days, so I need to check on them regularly and think about the best way to get accurate results. Because my lab works on pharmaceuticals, it’s a GMP lab, which means we follow very strict rules for reporting everything we do — this helps make sure the products are safe.

      I also often have to solve problems as I go, figuring out why something isn’t working as expected or how to improve a test. I work closely with my colleagues and learn from their experience, which makes every week different and interesting.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      If I were voted the winner by students, I would use the £500 prize money to support the University of Reading’s initiatives in engaging local communities with STEM education. As a student myself, I am committed to promoting science and technology to the public, especially to those who might not typically have access to such opportunities.

    CV

    • Education:

      I did my GCSEs and A Levels at Haydon School in greater North West London.
      I’m currently enrolled in my third year at the University of Reading studying my Pharmaceutical Chemistry bachelors degree.

    • Qualifications:

      GCSEs: 9 Including Sciences, Business Studies, Graphic Design & Mandarin

      A Levels: Chemistry, Physics & Psychology

      BSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Ongoing)

    • Work History:

      Waitrose – Retail Assistant (Nov 2019 – Dec 2022)

      JD Wetherspoon – Shift Manager (Jan 2022- June 2025)

    • Current Job:

      Student Scientist as a placement year for part of my university degree

    • Employer:

      Resolian

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Science-Obsessed Arsenal fan

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        I was never completely set on any one idea, I'm still not. I just know I wanted to work in one of the Sciences doing work that helps people.

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        I was easily distracted at school and didn’t always focus on my work at first. Over time, I became much more focused and started to understand the importance of education, especially when I found subjects I was really interested in, like science. That curiosity has stayed with me and helped me get to where I am today.

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        I always enjoyed doing Graphic Design, I also became a qualified fish monger when I worked at Waitrose. So maybe one of those.

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Elliot Smith or The Beatles

        What's your favourite food?

        Spaghetti Bolognese

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        An Arsenal season ticket, To keep working in an industry that does good and to stay happy and healthy

        Tell us a joke.

        Why did the mushroom get invited to all the parties? Because he’s a fun‑gi!

Questions answered by Codie

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