This formed part of my work integrated learning which is a requirement of the National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry course.I worked directly under the supervision of the senior technician in order to prepare laboratories for experiments which includes ensuring all safety measures are met, equipment such as the HPLC and IC instruments are in working condition and all reagents and equipment are available for the experiments.The job can be extremely demanding at times when multiple practicals take place at the same time. Working overtime is common due to preparation for future practicals and ensuring all students are finished with their experiments.Teaching students and making them understand is key for experiments to commence successfully. A high level of organizational, communication and leadership skills are imperative when working with a team in order to ensure successful laboratory practicals.

H3D allowed me to complete a project titled ‘Method development in preparative chromatography’. This project was submitted to Cape Peninsula University of Technology in fulfillment of the requirement for my National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry. I was placed in the medicinal chemistry unit under the supervision of a senior research scientist where I learnt to use the Preparative/Analytical HPLC and UHPLC-MS instruments. I was tasked with testing four different stationary phases, which included four analytical and four preparative columns. Method transferal from analytical to preparative columns was successfully achieved in my project. Optimization of their instrument was also very important and I programmed more than 60 analytical and preparative HPLC methods, which included isocratic and gradient methods into their instrument. Acidic and basic buffers used in method development for separation was also explored in my project. Being a quick learner is important as I was required to quickly adapt to a new working environment and learn new instruments before I could effectively work on my project and I completed it in a short period of time. I also did stability testing of compounds using the UHPLC-MS.