Staff profile: Andrew Crooke

(Inside Aotea, December 2011)

Laboratory Information Systems Manager

Responsibilities:

Managing and administering the laboratory information system. This includes managing new tests that need to be set up, setting up interfaces to analysers, troubleshooting issues with the system, running ad-hoc reports, and the most important part: working with laboratory staff to make sure the system provides them with the tools they need to do their job effectively.

Most rewarding part of your job:

I love working with people to come up with solutions and processes to make their busy jobs easier to manage. There is nothing more rewarding than putting in place a system that achieves that.

How do you most enjoy spending time outside work?

I am an avid sci-fi and computer gaming geek so spend a lot of time watching strange TV programmes and getting a computer screen tan! When I’m not doing that, I like to go sailing around Mana or sometimes even over the Cook Strait.

Health tip:

Make sure you get enough sleep each night. Once you have mastered that it is much easier to manage other parts of being healthy, such as eating a balanced diet and getting into a good exercise routine.

Something your colleagues may not know about you:

I love music and listen to a very eclectic range -- from classical to punk cabaret. Some of my favourite composers and groups are Mozart, Dvorak, U2, Queen, Amanda Palmer and the Dresden Dolls. I also play the violin and guitar.