🥇 Meet a Gold Medal Winner🥇
Helena Bradbury
Helena, an ambitious and funny member of the EMJ editorial team, known for her dedication and proactive approach to work. With a degree in Biochemistry from King’s College London and a fellowship at the Francis Crick Institute, Helena brings a wealth of scientific knowledge and a passion for research to the table.
"Back yourself, and don’t compare yourself to others. "
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What does a typical workday look like for you?
It sounds cliché but really no day in Editorial is the same! Each member of the team manages 2-3 journals, and therefore is responsible for coordinating the contents of those particular journals. This can include conducting interviews with leading experts in the field, travelling to congress (this year I went to Paris!), or processing research articles through peer review, amongst other things.
We also have the opportunity to get involved in projects outside of journals! For example, recording and editing episodes for the EMJ Podcast and writing news stories on cutting-edge research.
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Can you tell us about what you did before coming to EMJ? How has it helped you with your current role?
I graduated in July 2023, with a BSc in Biochemistry from King’s College London. During my degree, I studied a range of topics, such as proteomics, epigenetics, physiology and anatomy and pharmacology. My dissertation explored the potential co-localisation of two proteins in the myocardium and their role in dilated cardiomyopathy. These experiences enabled me to better understand the dysfunction of diseases on a molecular level.
During my degree I also did a fellowship between KCL and the Francis Crick Institute, exploring the mechanism behind a congenital limb defect called radial dysplasia. It is therefore so lovely to now work with researchers from the Crick Institute, as well as other renowned institutions across the globe!
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What 3 words would someone on your team say about you?
Ambitious, funny, mumbler!
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How is EMJ different to other workplaces?
It is a company that strongly focuses on the culture it fosters, and ensuring everyone is aligned on a common goal. As a highly ambitious company, it means that everyone on board is passionate about their work, hard-working, and constantly looking for innovative ways to improve their approach to things. Things are constantly evolving, which is very exciting! -
Describe your proudest moment at EMJ and explain why.
Going to congress! In May 2024, I travelled to Paris for the EuroPCR, an annual European congress for interventional cardiology. It was a proud moment to represent EMJ when speaking to editorial board members and attending sessions. Looking forward to travelling to Barcelona in September for the 2024 congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)! -
What’s an interesting fact about you outside of work?
I play clarinet and piano 😊
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How would you spend your last £1?
I would put it towards getting a new set of acrylics.
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Who has had the most impact on your career to date and why?
My grandad, Alan F Bradbury! He was an experimental researcher for the National Institute for Medical Research, and a first author in journals such as ‘Nature’ and the ‘European Journal of Biochemistry’. As a biochemist, he was definitely an inspiration for me to pursue science and encouraged both me and my sister in everything we did! -
What’s your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)?
One BHAG for me is to run a marathon -so booked myself in for the 2025 Brighton Marathon!
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Finally, do you have any words of wisdom you’d like to share?
Back yourself, and don’t compare yourself to others.