In laboratory work, silent knowledge gained through experience is highly valued, according to Laboratory Technician Uupa Tassberg
Uupa joined the Lynsight team in 2023 and celebrated her first anniversary with the company in August 2024.
Uupa describes herself as a drifter when it comes to education, career, and jobs. After graduating from high school in 1985, she set out to travel the world with a backpack, intending to apply to medical school after a gap year. Uupa is still on this journey.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to travel the world at a young age. Although I wouldn’t embark on a similar journey now, the experience gave me valuable insights into the world and life. The train journeys through remote areas of Asia, and the experience of pollinating kiwi fruit in New Zealand are memories that will stay with me forever. Following the trip, I worked in logistics at a pharmaceutical factory, trained as a masseuse, and eventually became an entrepreneur. After various shifts, I worked as an office secretary at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Technology. During this role, I completed a degree in public relations, organized events, and handled many administrative tasks. While I gained numerous skills along the way, the most important discovery for me was my newfound interest in research work, shaping my career path.”
Uupa was more interested in natural sciences than electrical engineering, so she pursued a degree as a laboratory technician. With this degree, she conducted work in food quality control, groundwater research, and proteomics.
“Not many people are aware, but the quality of food control in Finland is excellent. I have full confidence in the related processes. While working with proteomics at the Institute of Occupational Health, I conducted my first cell culture. It was truly an incredible and groundbreaking experience: witnessing life in a bottle right in front of me.”
In addition to her laboratory technician qualification, Uupa also applied for the instrument technician qualification, and as a result, she started working at the Faculty of Medicine in 2021.
“I find it amusing that even though I’m still in my gap year before starting medical studies, I’ve come full circle by working in the faculty. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various university groups. I started by doing equipment maintenance at the Faculty of Medicine, then worked as a laboratory technician in electron microscopy and pharmacy. While on this path, I was contacted by Lynsight, who was interested in someone with my skill set, expertise in instrument maintenance and laboratory work, and the flexibility to perform both tasks as needed by the startup company.”
Initially, Uupa’s responsibilities revolved around establishing the equipment maintenance procedures and setting up the equipment in the new laboratory following the relocation. These tasks entailed learning many new procedures, but Uupa eagerly embraced the challenge with a systematic and proactive approach.
“Establishing new processes involves a lot that you don’t necessarily learn in school. Thankfully, throughout my career, I have built up my own networks to seek support from. I don’t get discouraged; instead, I get excited about the challenges. My genuine interest in the natural sciences has also helped me identify the risks that need to be considered. When it comes to instrument maintenance, there is an incredibly precise cycle from dirty to sterile, and no cross-functions are permissible.”
From the perspective of equipment maintenance, maintaining laboratory equipment is significantly cleaner than hospital conditions but just as accurate. In addition to equipment maintenance, Uupa’s workday includes laboratory research work, such as cell culture. Both aspects of the job are meaningful for Uupa and have the potential to positively impact people’s quality of life, which is motivating. The opportunity to utilize the comprehensive experience accumulated previously in a varied job description has also been unique.
“In laboratory work, the silent knowledge accumulated through experience is highly valued. One important quality that comes with work experience is the courage to ask questions: to understand that there is no need to be afraid to ask, admit mistakes, or seek help. On the contrary, there are always surprises when working with biology, and dialogue with colleagues helps us find a way forward and make new observations. It’s essential to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Uupa has noticed that work experience is not equally valued everywhere, and direct ageism occurs in the job market.
“I have received numerous questions about why I have changed my field and educated myself like this at the end of my career. Can I commit myself? I want to strengthen my knowledge base, and if my skills can be helpful to the next generation as well, I will gladly share them. It must be understood that implicit information is quickly lost when people retire. I want to continue sharing it in the future; even in retirement, working keeps the mind fresh and brings a sense of meaning.”
Before reaching retirement age, Uupa still wishes to fully contribute her expertise to the development of Lynsight and the opening of new markets. She sees the opening of the US market as a great opportunity for the company, where she can both contribute and learn a lot.
“I am confident that our product will be successful despite the inevitable challenges. Through my life experiences, I have learned that anything is possible. I have strong faith in our company’s business acumen, which enhances the unique scientific credibility that our founders’ knowledge and the support of the scientific community bring. Witnessing how these aspects complement each other in our start-up’s daily operations has been truly rewarding.”
Uupa has enjoyed her time at Lynsight. The company has an atmosphere of trust and a high level of appreciation for employees – regardless of age and job description.
“Every morning, going to work feels great. The workplace offers a fantastic atmosphere, freedom, flexibility, and a shared commitment to top-notch quality. Everyone can rely on each other’s work. We also recognize the importance of equipment maintenance; it’s crucial for the proper functioning of hospitals and laboratories. Every instrument must be kept clean, as any impurity could prompt a doctor to halt an operation immediately.”
