Amgen’s Luke Sheppard discusses Ireland’s biopharma scene and how his career was fueled by graduate opportunities.
“I was always interested in science in school, especially biology and physics. The turning point came when I spent two summers working with a mechanical engineer in the design of a biopharmaceutical facility,” said Luke Sheppard, senior assistant syringe manufacturer at Amgen.
“Seeing this facility develop helped me connect what I was learning in the classroom with the industry in real life. That experience reignited my passion and led me to study biotechnology at DCU.”
As part of his degree he completed an internship with Amgen during his undergraduate studies and transferred to Amgen’s FUEL graduate program. He said, “Along with this, I completed a master’s degree in pharma and biopharma engineering at UCC, which is very relevant to the work I am doing now.”
Can you describe Ireland’s biopharmaceutical environment?
Ireland’s biopharmaceutical sector is strong and well established. Recognized as a center of excellence in manufacturing. The sector is also highly connected, with a healthy sense of competition and a strong shared awareness of best practice. For anyone with a STEM background, it’s an attractive industry because it offers real depth of work and a wide range of possible career paths.
What is your day to day like if there is such a thing?
My role is very different. My time is split between supporting and driving projects, contributing to projects and looking for solutions. Part of the day can involve reviewing data or leading a meeting to discuss strategies. Equally, I can solve a problem on the production floor. Variety keeps things interesting. Collaboration is a big part of the job. You are always working with experts and moving things forward together to reach a common goal.
What skills do you use in your role and which ones are unexpected?
Technical knowledge is very important, but the most important skill is the ability to work as part of a team and to support your colleagues. Clear, concise communication, relationship building and commitment are very important. There will always be new learning programs, development processes and tools to adopt, but real progress ultimately depends on how well you work with others and how quickly you can build trust. The stronger your working relationship, the easier it is to ask questions, get ideas and work effectively when challenges arise. In a manufacturing environment, strong relationships really make a difference.
You moved up the ranks with the FUEL program, how was the experience?
The Amgen FUEL program was an amazing experience as it gave me exposure to the highest levels of business early in my career. I completed three rotations throughout the development process, quality assurance and resource engineering. Each rotation lasted eight to nine months. In a relatively short period of time, I had to join new teams, build relationships quickly and learn new processes to contribute to meaningful work. Rotation teaches resilience and determination, as well as creating visibility for participants. I had the opportunity to present my work to top sites and European leaders, which accelerated my learning and professional development. The program allowed me to gain a strong operational understanding and strong leadership insight into the most important issues in our industry.
How can mentoring and internship opportunities positively impact a young person’s career in the long term?
Mentorship and internships can have a long, positive impact. The internship allows graduates to experience the speed, collaboration and problem-solving involved in the workplace, which is difficult to replicate in the classroom. It can also help you understand what type of work suits you best. Mentorship adds another dimension, providing early-stage professionals with a broader industry perspective and career development. Mentors can provide you with guidance, challenge your thinking, and help you identify career development opportunities that you may have overlooked. Over time, this support can make a big difference in shaping a long-term career direction.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I live by continuous commitment, tenacity and integrity to the issues that matter most to my team. I enjoy a variety of problem solving, collaboration and planning to ensure multiple priorities are achieved. I have grown personally and professionally by developing my technical and analytical skills. I have also greatly expanded my range of soft skills.
Do you have any predictions for how the biopharma space could evolve in 2026?
I expect legislation, automation and AI to shape the direction of the industry in the coming years. There is a greater regulatory focus on reducing human interaction in production processes and strengthening controls around unit operations. AI will play a very important role, supporting research and process improvement. By effectively analyzing real-time data, the power of AI will identify anomalies and patterns, helping production line teams to work more efficiently.
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