As part of its initiative to grow and nurture an inclusive and diverse team, FA Bio’s ‘Culture Champion’ award recognises and celebrates those who not only embody our core values but help shape the culture that drives our success. Each quarter, the team votes for individuals who exemplify FA Bio’s commitment to collaboration, innovation and sustainability.
The latest recipient of FA Bio’s Culture Champion award is Anima Alam. Anima first joined the FA Bio team on a placement as part of her Master’s in Medical Microbiology. What began as a 9-month placement was extended to 11 months, during which she also completed her thesis. The experience proved pivotal to her Master’s degree and her professional development.
In her Research Technician role, Anima is responsible for developing and maintaining FA Bio’s working library of microbes, preparing starting stocks, and ensuring they are ready for testing. She has built a discovery microbial bank from scratch, which now safeguards quality control, prevents contamination issues and supports the work of both the fermentation and discovery teams. Anima also plays a key role in cross-functional collaboration, processing requests from different teams and communicating timelines to keep projects on track.
Most recently, Anima has been leading a project to characterise all microbial species based on their biosafety level and morphological characteristics. This initiative will help FA Bio build a comprehensive database that supports data supply and regulatory requirements, ensuring the highest standards across research and development.
Anima is passionate about fungi, which first drew her to FA Bio. Her fascination with growing and working with fungi has only deepened since joining the company. She is equally passionate about collaboration, recognising its importance in both professional growth and scientific progress. Anima also finds inspiration in FA Bio’s diverse and inclusive culture, which she says motivates her every day.
Anima is pleased to be a part of the FA Bio team that is working toward sustainable agriculture solutions with real-world impact, helping people live healthier, better lives. Looking ahead, she aspires to become an expert in fungi, eventually developing the ability to identify species at a glance.
Anima Alam said: “FA Bio has played such an important role in my journey so far. From supporting me during my Master’s placement to helping me grow into my permanent role, I’ve learned so much and continue to develop every day. I’m excited to keep building my expertise in fungi and to contribute to research that can make a real difference for sustainable agriculture. The collaborative and diverse environment at FA Bio makes me proud to be part of this team.”
Aumaya Taleb, Senior Fermentation and Formulation Manager at FA Bio, comments: “Anima is highly organised and very good in documentation and data management, which is a valuable asset to the company and a great support to her colleagues. She manages large volumes of work and data with strong focus and attention to detail, consistently showing initiative. Beyond her technical skills, Anima demonstrates kindness, respect and a positive attitude, embodying values that significantly contribute to a collaborative and supportive work environment. She approaches her work with genuine passion and enthusiasm, especially in her interest in fungi, which adds a unique depth to her contributions.”
