An insight into Quality Assurance in Laboratory practices with Judith Castellino
Meet Judith Castellino, the Laboratory Quality Assurance (QA) Supervisor for the M&C laboratory at Kings Park. With over 1.5 years at SciDev, Judith has been at the forefront of ensuring quality assurance processes evolve to meet industry standards and exceed customer expectations.
Evolution of Quality Assurance
Quality assurance has significantly transformed over the years. Traditionally, it was a final checkpoint in the product lifecycle, ensuring standards were met before release. Today, QA is seamlessly integrated into every phase of production.
Judith’s role at SciDev focuses on examining the various components that enhance product value while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement. This proactive approach ensures that SciDev’s offerings consistently meet and surpass customer expectations.
Handling Non-Conformities in Test Results
Although discrepancies in test results are inevitable, Judith follows a systematic approach to resolve them efficiently. She starts by defining test limits based on historical data and industry benchmarks, then identifies and documents any non-conformances. A thorough investigation is carried out through a Non-Conformance Report (NCR), and Judith analyses the root causes to implement appropriate corrective and preventive actions. Once these steps are completed, the NCR is closed out to ensure the issue doesn’t recur. This method ensures that SciDev’s products remain reliable and helps maintain the company’s strong reputation for excellence.
Advice for Aspiring Quality Assurance Professionals
For young professionals interested in a career in laboratory quality assurance, Judith offers insightful advice, emphasising the importance of gaining a deep understanding of the technical details of the products being worked with. Additionally, she encourages being observant and detail-oriented, challenging established practices, and always asking questions to better understand the “why” behind processes. Staying updated with the latest industry trends and standards is also crucial, as is practicing clear and effective communication to ensure that expectations are met.
Driving Change for Women in Science
While significant progress has been made by women in science and research, Judith acknowledges that more work is needed to ensure equal opportunities for career advancement. She advocates for the promotion of women to senior leadership roles, as well as encouraging their participation in conferences, workshops, and networking events to strengthen their presence in the field. Judith also believes that implementing flexible work arrangements can help achieve a better work-life balance, while prioritizing diversity and inclusion in the workplace fosters an environment where everyone can thrive and feel empowered.
Reflecting on this Years Theme for International Women’s Day: "Accelerate Action" and the Significance for Women in Science
International Women’s Day holds a personal significance for Judith. She reflects on the opportunities she had to pursue a career in science—opportunities her mother wasn’t afforded. This inspires her to mentor young women navigating careers in science, especially those returning to work after caregiving. It also calls her to mentor and be more supportive of other young women who have the talent and potential to further a career/pathway in science and are unsure of themselves or those women returning to work after caregiving.
