Christian Hollingbery

PIPS Host Organisation: Switch Bioworks

PIPS Project Title: Understanding and contributing to a pipeline for the commercialisation of genetically engineered nitrogen fixing microbes for the purpose of fertilising corn

During his placement at Switch Bioworks in the US, Christian worked on a PIPS project focused on contributing to the commercialisation pipeline of genetically engineered nitrogen-fixing microbes for corn fertilisation. His work primarily involved isolating nitrogen-fixing bacteria from soil samples to build a biobank of candidate strains for product development. Christian also contributed to de-risking operational processes, including assessing microbial storage, transport, and sensitivity. In collaboration with microbiology and plant science teams, he carried out controlled grow room trials to evaluate microbial colonisation and plant performance. A key contribution was the development of new media and isolation methods, which improved the efficiency and capacity for microbial isolation and testing within the company.

From this placement, Christian gained significant technical and professional skills. He improved his laboratory efficiency, learned new microbiological and data analysis techniques, and developed experience in plant husbandry. Working in a multidisciplinary team enhanced his ability to collaborate and delegate tasks effectively. The experience also strengthened Christian’s presentation skills and expanded his professional network. Importantly, the placement provided valuable career insight, including an understanding of regulatory frameworks for microbial fertilisers, differences between US and UK business environments, and how small biotech companies operate using systems such as OKRs. Through regular company-wide meetings, he developed an appreciation of the commercialisation pipeline, including partnership development and strategic decision-making. Overall, the placement increased Christian’s future employability and provided a broader perspective on translating academic research into real-world applications.

Switch Bioworks very positive feedback about Christian, noting that “Christian is highly meticulous and consistently asks the right questions to drive project clarity. He has integrated seamlessly into the team, demonstrating great foundational skills and a strong aptitude for data interpretation. As a fast learner, he quickly grasps complex concepts and applies them effectively to his work.”