Women's History Month - Amie Baker

What is your current role?

Chief Building and Facilities Manager

When did you start with the department?

I’ve been with the department a little over a year, joining in January 2023.

How did you get your start in your career?

I got my degree in Biology, focusing on animal science. My first job was working for Whatman doing DNA extraction for 2 years. I then joined the University at the Genetics of Multiple Sclerosis Lab. I worked there for 19 years before joining the Department.

What is something interesting you are you currently working on?

Recently, my team and I just supported the Part II practical’s. This is 4-6 weeks of practical for our 20 Part II students. There is a lot of lab preparation and organization since it lasts most of Lent Term. Now that the practical’s have wrapped up, I plan to update and modernize our department’s fixed assets log.

What was a defining moment in your career?

I was the winner of the 'Innovating and Improving' award at the Professional Services Recognition ceremony this December 2023.

The award recognised my work in developing new methods to deal with delicate fly tubes and saving the department thousands of litres of water, energy and staff hours. 

I saw an opportunity to reduce our water waste and with the changes we’ve made we have an 80% reduction in the Department's water usage, as well as a significant reduction in energy use. The financial savings mean more money can be directed to support research activities. 

What advice would you give to other women? 

Don’t stress too much about perfectly balancing children and career, the early years go by so fast, and your career will be there, trust me.

What are your future goals?

To carry on in Genetics and the University, it’s a really nice place to work and I really enjoy what I am doing!  

What’s a Fun Fact about you?

When I’m not working or with my family I volunteer for RSPB and look after 8 wild horses.