The role of an FAS
Maria supports customers across the Nordics and Benelux regions. She provides instrument training, applications support, and assistance to technical inquiries, enabling users to meet their research goals.
Her focus is on our liquid handling portfolio (firefly®, dragonfly® and mosquito®), primarily supporting genomics labs in automating their next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows, to improve efficiency and accuracy in their experiments.
A collaborative role
A key part of the FAS role is serving as the primary contact between customers and various SPT Labtech teams, including Internal Applications, Software Development, and Product Management. When customers provide feature requests or feedback, Maria works with the relevant teams to explore how this input can be incorporated into product updates or new developments. She then communicates any progress back to users, ensuring they remain informed and confident when using their instruments.
Supporting researchers of all levels
Maria works with a wide range of customers, each with varying levels of experience in automation. Some users are entirely new to automation and are looking to transitioning from manual protocols. Maria enjoys demonstrating the productivity and efficiency benefits that automation offers. Seeing their mindset shift as they discover what’s possible is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. For experienced users, Maria gets the opportunity to showcase the advantages that SPT Labtech systems offer.
The best parts of being an FAS
For Maria, the best part of being an FAS is the variety. Some days are spent at home, corresponding with users and providing remote support, while others involve traveling across Europe to see their projects firsthand. This balance gives her the opportunity to learn how different labs operate and tailor SPT Labtech’s solutions to meet their specific needs.
From Spain to SPT Labtech
Originally from Spain, Maria studied Biotechnology at the University of Oviedo before pursuing a Master’s degree in Molecular Medicine at Uppsala University in Sweden. She later completed a PhD in Medical Science at the Karolinska Institute, where her research focused on vascular biology.
During her PhD, Maria developed her skills in single-cell RNA sequencing and microscopy, building a solid foundation for the applications support she provides to customers today. She discovered a passion for learning new techniques and found enjoyment in collaborating with other scientists in the lab, a perfect combination for an FAS!
Early experiences with automation
Maria’s introduction to automation came during the final years of her PhD when the team implemented an automated system for PCR setup. However, its less-than-intuitive software meant that they often reverted back to manual pipetting! Maria performed extraction and pre-processing protocols all by hand but worked with a sequencing core facility to increase sample throughput. These experiences gave her valuable insights into the challenges and benefits of automation.
Life outside of work
When she’s not working, Maria enjoys climbing and spending time outdoors. Living near the Peak District in the UK gives her plenty of opportunities to follow her passions for nature and adventure.
Maria also has a love for languages. A native Spanish speaker, she learned Swedish during her eight years in Sweden. She appreciates how speaking the local language can strengthen connections and make collaborations even more enjoyable.
