It was in the whirlwind of the notorious covid spring 2020 that I started my journey as a device engineer at Abacus Diagnostica. The global pandemic lit up the turmoil in the field of in vitro diagnostics and resulted in heavily multiplied production loads. An extra pair of hands was urgently needed. Luckily my background as Master of Science (Tech) in molecular biotechnology and in vitro diagnostics fit the role like a glove and I got to utilize my experience in PCR diagnostics and device development from my previous years as a project researcher at the University of Turku. 

The technical side of diagnostics has always been my thing. In my job I get to combine the best of both worlds—dive deep into the challenges of molecular diagnostics and solve technical issues related to the devices. Officially my assignments as a device engineer comprise of quality assurance, servicing, calibration, and testing of GenomEra CDX analyzers. In reality my role is hugely more dynamic and variable than that.

Each day at Abacus offers challenging new summons, be it 3D modeling and printing of parts that are needed for increasing our test production capacity or developing and testing novel PCR protocols. Thanks to the impressive growth and development Abacus has undergone in the past couple of years, the range of possibilities seems to be limitless.

Over the years I’ve worked as an accountant, wages clerk, seamstress, shop assistant, and at a launderette. However, my growing interest in health technology and programming as well as a desire for a steadier employment brought me into the field of software development. My career as a software developer at Labrox began in May 2021 shortly after graduating as a Bachelor of Engineering in information and communications technology. 

My main task at Labrox is designing embedded software for plate readers, which in practice means spending countless hours at my computer programming and testing codes I’ve written. I enjoy that there are always new things to study and learn in this role. It is vital to constantly keep in mind that designing a functional code is not enough but it’s also crucial to understand what kind of results the end user is expecting to get. If I mess up an equation, it translates into an erroneous output.

I’m thankful I’ve landed a job that allows me to express myself in a creative way and to combine my passions in health technology and programming, which has been my dream for a good while. Participating in meaningful and important work for people’s health motivates me every day. Also, I have the most amazing colleagues at Labrox. From the very first day I felt at home and was welcomed into the team with open arms—something I haven’t always experienced in my previous jobs. I also enjoy the flexible nature of the job, which allows me to work at home in the company of my cat.

My career path as a biomedical laboratory scientist is not the most typical one. In high school international business, Swedish, and biomedical laboratory science interested me equally much. For the 12 years following my graduation I was employed as a biomedical laboratory scientist by a diagnostics company, and in 2012 I switched to Kaivogen where a few of my ex-colleagues were working. In the early years there were not so specified functions or separate divisions. Instead, the whole team pitched in to get the product to the market on time.

Since the beginning of my Kaivogen journey, my assignments have included lab work, stock control, purchases, development of functions and premises, chemical monitoring, production management, occupational well-being, occupational safety and health, and human resources management among other things. In 2011, before switching to Kaivogen, I acquired a master’s degree in management and leadership in health care. Subsequently I have completed open university courses in occupational and organizational psychology, leadership, and human resources management. In summer 2021 I was appointed Kaivogen’s human resources manager.

An adrenaline-boosting memory from my career is from when I was a maternity leave substitute for our production manager. We had purchased a massive device whose only way to enter the premises was through a 2nd-floor window. I was biting my nails, worried sick whether this fancy new device would end up as a pile of metal trash. All went smoothly and the device continues as a central part of Kaivogen’s production line. 

I’m very thankful to Kaivogen for trusting me with different roles throughout the years. The sense of community and openness are the reasons why I enjoy working at Kaivogen.