The Campus Stars campaign has been launched to showcase the colleagues still working on campus during the lockdown and highlight the crucial work they do.

Artur is a Teaching Technician in the Clinical Sciences laboratory at the School of GEM and Medical Sciences in Derby. Artur has been working at the University for just over one year and before that finished an MRes in the lab where he currently works.

Artur is responsible for setting up and helping with practical laboratory sessions or foundation Graduate Entry Medicine and Medical Physiology and Therapeutics students. As a Technician, Artur also trains PGR students with their research where possible.

During the lockdown, Artur’s role has changed significantly as there is no person to person contact, so tends to help with data analysis and statistics for some PGR and undergraduate students for their final year projects. He also carries out weekly maintenance of the lab and works with other technicians to check whether the equipment is working and frozen cells are maintained properly. All frozen cells and samples need to be checked and all laboratory systems maintained to ensure a smooth transition when lockdown is lifted. When working from home, Artur is able to carry out administrative work that he usually does not have time for.

Due to the timing of lockdown the laboratories had to be shut down before final year undergraduate students could complete their final year projects and so Artur is involved in maintaining communication via email and Microsoft Teams to ensure that they receive all the work they need when writing up and analysing data. Artur also maintains contact with staff, colleagues and some PGR students to ensure their wellbeing.

Artur has been using his free time to cook and has been baking to pass the time. He has also re-watched some of his favourite television shows such as House and Breaking Bad and is enjoying them just as much the second time around. He has also discovered new television shows such as Better Call Saul and anything on Netflix. Artur has also committed to reading at least one book a month in an effort to continue learning.

Artur’s favourite thing about working at the University of Nottingham is the people, the support and the help available even during lockdown when most are working from home. It is great to see how everyone has come together to help each other in a friendly environment where all are approachable. He also appreciates the resources available for continued professional development.

Artur’s message to the University community is to keep busy as time will pass much quicker and remember to keep in touch with all of your friends. He would also like to thank everyone for their hard work and support during this time.