In June 2021, I embarked on my journey with Foundation Medicine as a Molecular Technologist. Over the next six months my passion for genomics grew and I was focused on understanding the complexities of the genome and wanted to put that into practice. This led me to enroll in a Genomic Medicine Master’s program at the University of Queen Mary in London. Towards the end of 2022, armed with newfound knowledge and a burning desire to contribute more, I approached Foundation Medicine seeking a change. Having gained valuable experience, I was sure that I wanted to dive into the world of computational biology. The opportunity came knocking in July 2023 when I joined the Computational Biology team in Penzberg as a Clinical Bioinformatics Analyst.  

This work includes the curation and analysis of genomic data to guarantee the relevance and accuracy of genomic information. Additionally, I get to work with others on a variety of cancer-related projects by helping with the comprehensive investigation of genomic data. Under the guidance of my director, Thomas, and manager, Julian, as well as coworkers, I am able to gain a thorough understanding of the intricacies of genomic data and how it affects patients. I am excited that, for the third year in a row, Foundation Medicine GmbH was named a “Top Company” by Kununu. The feedback revealed that our Penzberg site has a very modern working culture, which is defined by four important dimensions: work-life balance, collaboration, leadership, and strategic alignment.   

At the end of the day, the work that I do on the computation biology team truly ties back to the work that everyone at Foundation Medicine does for patients. The Penzberg team recently, had the opportunity to meet with a cancer patient who had undergone Foundation Medicine testing. The patient was invited to share her story and how our test had made a difference in her treatment experience.   
 
Hearing this testimonial from an actual patient was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Her experience underscored the importance that my colleagues and I have in personalizing cancer treatments, improving outcomes, and offering hope to those going through cancer diagnosis and treatment.  From this experience, our daily work took on a new meaning. Hearing this story tied together the real impact of our work and reinforced for me the genuine significance of genomics in personalized medicine and targeted therapeutic approaches. These encounters remind us that every line of code and analysis has the power to make a real difference in patients' lives.  
 
Receiving such feedback from patients is a profound motivator for me. It reinforces the importance of my work, reminding me that behind every data point, there's a human story, a life to be impacted positively. It fuels my determination to continually innovate and push the boundaries of bioinformatics, striving to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer. Knowing that my efforts contribute to transforming lives is a driving force that keeps me passionate and dedicated to my role here at Foundation Medicine