I am very pleased to have been awarded Chartered Biologist status by the Society of Biology, the professional body that represents UK biology. Chartered status recognises those committed to practising and advancing the life sciences at a professional level.

Achievement of Chartered status was possible through the Society of Biology’s Continuing Professional Development programme, in which I have engaged for many years. The CPD programme provides a useful mechanism to document progress and to keep up to date with, well, your professional self. It also helps to maintain and develop skills that may otherwise become rusty. I’ve rediscovered neglected lab skills or been reminded of long-forgotten project ideas many times during the CPD programme. It is worthwhile to occasionally reflect on how things are going (and have gone) (and will go, hopefully) in your career!