Naimah Begum BSc

Senior Protein Scientist

Naimah has joined us from the University of Manchester where she achieved a first class honours in Microbiology.

Naimah Begum | Protein Scientist | Peak Proteins

More about Naimah

Although Naimah graduated with a degree in Microbiology, with much of her studies and work focused on the microbiota, much of her experience and passion within protein production stemmed from her experience as a research assistant.

Naimah spent the summer at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology where she was expressing and purifying fungal enzymes for future biofuel production. The satisfaction from transforming a gene sequence into a physical functioning enzyme is what drove her passion in protein production and experiencing what it was like to be a PhD student working in research made her realise that she loved being in the lab.

Outside of work, Naimah enjoys various outdoor activities where she can enjoy nature. Her weekends are usually taken up by cycling and hiking within the Peak District. Also, as a keen foodie, Naimah loves trying different foods from around the world and spend a lot of her free time recreating or trying out new recipes.

Bulmer, Gregory S., Fang Wei Yuen, Naimah Begum, Bethan S. Jones, Sabine L. Flitsch, and Jolanda M. van Munster. 2023.
Biochemical Characterization of a Glycoside Hydrolase Family 43 β-D-Galactofuranosidase from the Fungus Aspergillus Niger.
Enzyme and Microbial Technology 164:110170. doi: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2022.110170.

Employee Spotlight

I purify proteins from a range of cells such as HEK, CHO, E. coli and insect.

I had just graduated from the University of Manchester where I studied Microbiology.

Biology of course! However, I also loved Geography and really enjoyed learning about weather systems during my A levels.

I don’t have one specific scientific hero. There are so many scientists that are doing amazing research. However, I have been following the work of a scientist named Elisabeth Bik who is involved in science integrity. She spots duplicated images and data manipulation in papers; I think this work is really important in helping to maintain credible and honest research. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01363-z

I was interested in the number of different services Peak Proteins had to offer and was keen on learning more, specifically about peptide mapping, intact mass spectrometry and crystallography.

Completing a QC document with really good data.

Currently because of the cold weather, staying in watching Netflix and crocheting.

I love food and can’t just pick one meal however, I do love Lebanese and Turkish cuisine.

Cigarettes

Prioritise and implement sustainable energy everywhere.

Family, food and a good film.

Interstellar, I have watched this film numerous times and never get bored of it, I love picking up different details of the storyline each time I watch it. Plus, the film’s score by Hans Zimmer is perfection!

As suggested by my favourite film I love all things about space. I’m really fascinated by interplanetary travel and can’t wait to see where we get with interplanetary living in the future.

Protein Science Team