Elaine Rudge

I’m a Senior Technician in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences, providing technical support across teaching, research, and innovation within the biological area.

I prepare, maintain, and demonstrate equipment and materials for practical classes, experiments, and student projects, ensuring teaching and research spaces are safe, organised, and compliant with Health and Safety standards. I collaborate closely with academic staff to develop and test experiments, prepare teaching materials using digital tools, and apply technical expertise to support student projects and research initiatives.

I also manage and maintain equipment, monitor stock levels, oversee small equipment budgets, and ensure resources are available for smooth-running laboratory and research sessions. In addition, I supervise technical staff and students as needed, contribute to student recruitment and outreach events, actively champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, and serve as a trained First Aider and Mental Health First Aider, supporting the wellbeing of colleagues and students.

I have 15 years of experience as a microbiologist in industry and 6 years as a Specialist Research Technician at the Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI), also supporting the P3EB Mission Hub, combining industrial rigor with research innovation.

Elaine is an experienced microbiologist and biotechnology professional with a strong background in both industrial and research settings. Over the course of their career, they have worked on the testing and validation of pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and disinfectants, operating in GLP and GMP-compliant environments and within FDA and UKAS-accredited laboratories. Their expertise includes quality systems management, equipment validation and qualification, internal auditing, and developing procedures in line with EN/international standards and pharmacopoeias.

In 2011, Elaine earned a First Class Honours degree (BSc Hons Applied Science) through the Learning at Work programme at the University of Portsmouth, receiving the Liz Bishop Prize for Academic Excellence.

Their research experience, spanning six years at the Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI), has honed their biotechnology skills, particularly in bioreactor operation for diverse applications. They have extensive experience with small- to large-scale systems, including BioLector Pro (automated small-scale reactions), Getinge Applikon Bioreactors (250 mL and 1 L for enzymatic plastic digestion), and BioFlo systems (5.6 L microbial fermentations for protein expression using bacteria and yeast).

Combining industrial rigor with innovative research, Elaine is committed to advancing biotechnology applications while maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance, and scientific excellence.