Brief resumé
1986-9 |
BSc Honours in Chemistry (1st class), Bristol University, UK |
1990-93 |
PhD (Physical Chemistry), Bristol University, UK |
1994-5 |
Research positions (Japan, Switzerland and Spain) |
1995-8 |
Writing/translating patents, SmithKline Beecham, Spain |
1996-present |
Freelance translator, Spanish-English |
2001-2007 |
Young Medical Communication, Spain |
2001-present |
Freelance writing projects |
BACKGROUND
After leaving Bristol University (UK) with a 1st class honours degree in Chemistry and a PhD in physical chemistry, I worked in research laboratories in Japan, Switzerland and Spain. Once settled in Spain, and frustrated with the uncertain research career structure in this country, I set about changing direction and focussed on translation, medical writing and author’s editing.
PRINCIPAL EXPERIENCE
Below is a summary of my main experience:
- SmithKline Beecham (before the merger with Glaxo): Writing, compilation and translation of patents of the natural products discovered from screening bacterial and fungal fermentation broths—3 years
- Young Medical Communication, S.L: Medical writing in a small CRO environment for a range of multinational drug companies (further details on the medical writing tab)—6 years
- Congress reports for both Medical Education Network (Canada) and Adis International (Spain)—4 years experience, ongoing collaboration
- Involvement in teams for cover-to-cover translation of Archivos de Bronconeumologia, Revista Española de Cardiología and Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas (5 years). Occasional coordinator for Archivos de Bronconeumología and current coordinator for Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas. See the translation tab for further details.
- Numerous individual collaborations with pharmaceutical and academic clients for translation and writing projects and editorial support.
The experience outlined above therefore covers most phases of the life cycle of a drug, from discovery of new chemical entities, the clinical development programme, through to post-marketing in the form of congress reports and reports of phase IV studies. This wide-ranging experience has given me, I believe, a well-balanced insight into the workings of the pharmaceutical industry.
Likewise, my experience in writing, translating and editing journal manuscripts has given me a detailed knowledge of the workings of basic research and journal publication.
For a freelancer, capacity is often a problem. Collaborations between freelancers can help extend capacity while maintaining the advantages of the freelance set-up (primarily low overheads and hence competitive prices).
In my case, for certain projects, I collaborate closely with Dr. Iain Patten, an experienced medical writer, translator (Spanish to English) and editor. As coordinators of journal translation teams, we also have access to tried and trusted translators for large translation projects. Our range of expertise in writing, translation and editing means that we can offer a one-stop service for hybrid projects.