Laboratory technician at MedLab Central

Only a few years out of her diploma at UCOL, Sahiba Kaur is working on the frontlines of New Zealand’s COVID-19 response. Sahiba is part of a specialist team responsible for virus testing and is working as a laboratory technician.

Sahiba Kaur, Laboratory technician at MedLab Central

“I got a position working for MedLab Central right after I finished my diploma, working in their specimen services team. After five or six months they were impressed and promoted me to the micro department. They offered to help me study further with their in-house programme, and now I am a fully registered medical laboratory technician.”

When New Zealand’s COVID-19 response started ramping up, there were limitations to the testing that was possible – which lead to the creation of MedLab Central’s own COVID-19 testing laboratory. “It was a pretty interesting start! An email came around the office, talking about how they were thinking about setting up a new lab, and asked for volunteers who had experience with pipette work. I was well-practiced with that from my UCOL study, so I put my name forward to help. I didn’t hear anything for a few days, then suddenly there was a message on Sunday to start on Monday!”

“I was nervous to start, but I feel really proud to be a part of this team. We’ve been working pretty much every day to get the testing done, dividing it into manageable day and night shifts.”

Sahiba isn’t the only UCOL connection in the lab either – Dr Rebecca Lucas-Roxburgh, the lead scientist, is a UCOL Applied Sciences lecturer.