1. Hazel Watson
Herran Paikka
Abbert Demesne
Abbeyknockmoy
Co. Galway
Mobile: 0857347900
Email: hazelw27@gmail.com
PROFILE
Resourceful professional chemist with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical,
medical devices and polymer manufacturing sectors. Proven R & D, team mentoring
and analytical skills honed in dynamic, innovative, target driven, FDA regulated
environments. Persuasive, determined solution provider. Ph.D.
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AREAS OF EXPERTISE
• Extensive supervision of degree level scientific staff, individually and team-based.
• Mentoring of numerous and diverse Masters and Ph.D. students.
• Acquisition and installation of cutting edge equipment at a scientific and technical expert
level to achieve high quality physical characterisation.
• Development and implementation of methods for characterisation of organic compounds.
• Proactive expansion and nurturing of an extensive panel of industrial and academic
scientific collaborators to advise on a wide range of scientific and technical aspects.
• Designation and production of polymeric materials for a diverse range of industries.
• Trouble shooting of manufacturing and customer complaints.
• Accomplished spoken and written communicator.
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CAREER HISTORY
Alkermes Pharma Ireland Ltd (formerly élan Pharma Ireland Ltd.) 2006 – 2016
Athlone, Ireland
Formulation Department
Scientist 2013 - 2016
• Characterised new drug molecules, excipients and drug products for incorporation into
proprietary drug products. These were solids dose and injectables for the treatment of
amongst others Schizophrenia, Major depression and Multiple Sclerosis.
• Participated in and reported on internal and external trials for the on-time delivery of
in-specification active pharmaceutical product for Phase 3 clinical trials.
• Succeeded over a period of years to develop and enhance the Physical Characterisation
function.
• Site subject matter expert for physical techniques including, particle size, microscopy,
spectroscopy and thermal methodologies.
• Designed experimental methodologies to investigate new drug products.
• Participated in internal and external cross-functional teams on Alkermes proprietary
projects.
• Investigated and resolved incoming customer complaints and manufacturing issues.
2. • Identified, purchased, installed and established new and existing equipment within
Formulation Development (AFM, XRPD, Surface Area Analysis, SEM)
• Trained technician to Ph.D. level staff in operation of physical characterisation
equipment.
• Advised scientific staff on characterisation problem solving issues.
• Mentored Masters and Ph.D. students.
Early Stage Development Department 2006 - 2013
Scientist Promoted 2012 – 2013
• Identified of and developed new physical techniques for characterisation of APIs,
excipients and drug products.
• Developed external industry and academic expert panel.
• Participated in early stages of introduction and implementation of PAT methodologies
onto site.
• Recognised as a valuable contributor to the team and developed extensive expertise
which was the foundation for selection for a key Scientist role in the Formulation
Development Department.
Technical Expert. Promoted 2010 - 2012
• Validated particle size equipment and methods including but not limited to Camsizer,
Climet, Mastersizer.
• Designed and presented training programmes for new equipment.
Analyst Promoted 2006 - 2010
• Appointed to this key role establish and develop a specific new function in the area on
Physical Characterisation.
• Spearheaded equipment and method transfer from sister sites in USA.
Labcoat Ltd. Galway, Ireland 2004 – 2005
Polymer Chemist
• Supervised degree level staff in the development of chromatographic methods.
• Carried out the physical characterisation of active pharmaceutical ingredients and
excipients.
• Performed, identification, installation and qualification of FTIR microscope.
Schering Ag, Turku, Finland 2002 – 2004
Senior Scientist
• Designed appropriate analysis regime for stability testing of novel polymeric materials
for use in medical devices.
• Implemented stability trials for novel polymeric materials for use in medical devices.
• Directed degree level laboratory staff in a wide range of analytical testing.
Åbo Akademi, Turku, Finland 1995 - 2002
Post-Doctoral researcher (Department of Physical Chemistry) 2001 - 2002
• Investigated in conjunction with Nokia The thermal properties of natural fibres in a
biodegradable polymer media using atomic force microscopy (AFM)
Åbo Akademi, Turku, Finland
• Ph.D., Deposition of silanes on E-glass fibres 1998 - 2001
Åbo Akademi, Turku, Finland 1995 - 1997
Researcher (Department of Physical Chemistry)
3. • Researched polymeric linkages and Langmuir Blodgett techniques to immobilise
antibodies.
• Researched deposition of silanes on E-glass fibres.
ICI Imagedata, Brantham, Essex, England 1989 – 1994
Scientist
• Developed sub-micron polymer coatings for use in the world’s first optical data storage
tape, used to store downloaded information from remote sensing satellites.
• Participated in development of thermal printing tape.
Baxenden Chemicals, Accrington, Lancashire, England 1987 – 1989
Section Leader (Surface Coatings)
• Designed and developed Polyurethane pre-polymers, for use in diverse applications
from wigs to automotive anti-chip coatings.
BTR Central Development, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England 1985 –1987
Chemist
• Developed novel polyurethane and epoxy elastomers for use in varied applications such
as heated hair rollers, underwater paint applications and earthquake anti-vibration pads.
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EDUCATION
Department of Physical Chemistry, Åbo Akademi, Turku, Finland. 1998 – 2001
Ph.D.
Major/Subjects:
• Colloid Science,
• Surface Characterisation Techniques,
• Silane chemistry on glass surfaces,
• Langmuir Blodgett deposition techniques
Loughborough University of Technology, England. 1989 - 1995
M.Phil. by research; Sub micron coatings on PET
Manchester Polytechnic, Manchester, England 1981 - 1985
B.Sc.
Polymer Technology, Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Physics
PUBLICATIONS
List of publications available on request
ONGOING TRAINING
Microsoft office, Presentation Techniques, Time management, persuading skills.
TA instruments thermal techniques, Laser Diffraction Particle Sizing, Digital Particle size and
shape processing, Specific Surface Area, Dynamic Vapour Sorption, Introduction to Atomic
Force Microscopy, Introduction to X-Ray crystallographic techniques
PERSONAL DETAILS:
Leisure Interests: Swimming, Walking, Gardening.
