First introduced to the concept of genetics in high school, Gloudi was instantly intrigued but at the time never quite realised that it was something one could make a career out of, even being a scientist for that matter seemed like a far-fetched idea. After school, unsure of her path but certain of her interest in biology, she decided to study a BSc. She rediscovered genetics in her second year, and was instantly captivated by it. Determined to learn as much as she could in this field, Gloudi went on to continue her Honours, Masters and PhD in Genetics.
During this time she was fortunate to cross paths with two influential women who would profoundly shape her career: her Honors and Masters supervisor, Louise Warnich, who went on to become Dean of the Faculty of Science at Stellenbosch University, and her PhD supervisor, Renee Prins who founded a company focused on genetic testing in the agricultural market. Both were living testament to what dedication and good work ethics can achieve, inspiring Gloudi to pursue her own path with unwavering commitment. Between completing her Masters and PhD, Gloudi worked at a DNA sequencing lab at Stellenbosch University, getting much needed practical experience. Immersed in a lab environment she realised that this was where she was meant to be.
“When studying science, it is somewhat removed from reality with a lot of theoretical knowledge and lab experiments, but you don't always come face to face with the difference it makes in reality. It's really rewarding to see its application in the real world, advancing and moving us forward.”
On completion of her PhD, Renee welcomed Gloudi to the CenGen business as a scientist. She spent the next two and a half years there in the lab before she transitioned into the world of academia as a Scientific Officer & Lab Manager at the University of Cape Town. In this role, Gloudi was able to positively influence and impact her students' lives in the field, much like the valuable guidance she had once received herself. All her experience to date gave way to what then followed, an opportunity to fulfill the role of Laboratory Research and Technical Specialist in Genetics at Next Biosciences. Years in the making, today Gloudi is the Head of Laboratories, a role that is equally gruelling and rewarding, taking her skills and leadership to the next level. Her work ensures the scientists can remain focused, with Gloudi essentially extinguishing problems before they even arise.
“An exciting new challenge for me, and quite different to what I had been doing before. Meeting quality objectives, making certain we are compliant with regards to regulations, and ensuring targets are achieved. So much of this comes down to all it takes to get day-to-day operations running smoothly.”
With her extensive scientific background, Gloudi finds the flat organisational structure at Next Biosciences incredibly appealing. Instead of being tucked away in a lab with no insight into the wider business, Gloudi is now close to colleagues across all departments, from the labs and management to marketing and client service. This collaborative environment drives innovation, and reveals how each facet of the business contributes to its overall success. Dependable, capable, reliable, stubborn (to get things done!), practically minded and people focused, Gloudi is committed to creating an environment where the team finds joy in their everyday work, and where each individual's contribution is valued and recognised.
"Science is constantly developing and changing, as is our understanding of the world and how we function within it. This continuously challenges us to develop technology and stay on top of new research. We'll never know everything, which means there's always an ongoing opportunity to learn."
Over time Gloudi has learned not to be so hard on herself, she advises anyone a few steps behind her on their journey in this field, to find comfort in asking for help because this is where deep and profound learning is unlocked. She also reminds us that not every innovation needs to be as big as curing cancer; there are countless opportunities to make a meaningful impact through even the smallest of innovations, each contributing to progress in its own way.
Knowing she is part of transforming her patients' lives provides all the inspiration she could ever ask for. She finds fulfillment in her daily work and has consciously chosen to embrace joy ‘in the moment’ rather than focusing solely on a distant destination she aims to reach. Gloudi strongly believes opportunities in biological sciences are ripe for the taking; all it takes is hard work to seize them and dedication to sustain them.
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