For over a decade, Express Micro Science has been leading the way in analytical testing and solutions. Servicing clients in the food, leisure, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries, there can be no compromise. Microscopic factors can have catastrophic consequences.
EMS scientists are true experts, combining years of experience with a passion for new learnings and innovation. We never settle for a process being ‘good enough’. When we work out how to do something well, our next step is to work out how to do it even better.
Our clients trust us because EMS scientists deliver pinpoint accurate data, in the most intuitive and actionable format for their businesses. This means they can request, receive, and review critical information in the shortest timeframe possible. Should any issues arise, our team will always be there to break down the challenges and help our clients get back on track.
Big thinking, for microscopic problems.

Meet the team

At Express Micro Science, we take pride in being meticulous experts, who truly love what we do. But don’t take our word for it. It’s only fair that before you test our services, you get to put our team under the microscope. So, here we are:

Jennifer Newton

Business Unit Manager

I’m a graduate of both Penn State University in the USA and Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. I have a Bachelors in Food Science and a PhD in Distillation. I started Express Micro Science (previously known as Express Microbiology) in 2003 with 4 microbiologists and a part-time driver. The company has grown and grown and whilst I still take a keen interest in its day to day operation I have, fortunately, been replaced in most roles by more competent people. I still offer training seminars in microbiology and technical support where required as well as overseeing finance. My ambition is to run all six major Marathons, having completed NYC in 2019 and being accepted onto Berlin and London. Looking forward to the return of major sporting events to complete my goal!

Jennifer Trainer

Head of Operations

I started my career within the commercial food and water testing industry in 2006 as a microbiology laboratory technician. I grew within the same company for 10 years covering a range of roles from lab technician, media technician, microbiologist and team leader. I would perform analysis and ensure all quality assurance within the lab was maintained. I was very fortunate to gain experience in different labs throughout the UK and participate in technical and quality discussions and implementations. I then set up, validated and ran the operations of a commercial water lab acting as Lab Manager then Business Unit Manager before moving to Express Micro Science in 2022.
Within EMS I oversee the day-to-day operations of the microbiology lab. I have a real passion for continued learning, driving continual improvements and coaching/mentoring colleagues.
In my spare time I do a lot of volunteer work within the local community. I am a foster care manager and run charity events to raise funds and educate people on the needs of rabbits for a rabbit rescue. I also volunteer at a horse rescue in which I work with rescue ponies, disadvantaged children and young people to improve mental health and wellbeing.

Francisca Navarro Fuentes

Deputy Chemistry Manager

In 2015, I moved from southern Spain to Scotland to study a PhD in Chemical Engineering at Heriot Watt University (Edinburgh). After graduating, I joined EMS in 2019 as I wanted to develop my career in the food industry. Starting as an analyst, I was promoted to Senior Analyst, Assistant Chemistry Manager and since the beginning of 2022 to my current role as Deputy Chemistry Manager.
On the personal side, I enjoy exploring the Scottish countryside. I love landscape photography and shooting the Northern Lights is top of my bucket list. At home, craft projects keep me busy.

Michelle Milne

Chemistry Manager

I have a BSc in Pharmaceutical and Forensic Analysis. I started with Express in 2008 as Deputy Quality Manager. An analytical Chemist at heart, I eventually wore down the Directors to allow the development of a Chemistry Department. Once accreditation for nutritional chemistry was put on our scope of accreditation in 2016, it fuelled the idea of changing the name of the company from Express Microbiology to Express Micro Science in 2017. When not at work, I love spending time with my friends and family, either here or in Ireland. The simplest things in life give me the most pleasure: cooking a good meal, outdoor adventures with my kids, enjoying a movie night with my husband, a catch up with friends.

Rachel Steele

Quality Manager

I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Immunology and Microbiology from the University of Strathclyde before completing an MSc in Molecular Biology from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). Six years in Dublin, working on cellular biology and molecular genetics, was followed by a return to Scotland to work in the food microbiology sector. Starting as assistant supervisor, I now have over 9 years of experience in the field and form an integral part of the EMS team in the role of Quality Manager.

Kat Welsh

Operational Quality Manager

I have 18 years’ experience in food and water microbiology (mainly water).
I have no professional qualifications and fell into it quite by accident when I took an intermediate food hygiene course and my interest in bacteria was such that I started looking for jobs in this field.
I started within the food preparation lab of a large company and quickly moved on to subculturing and the reading/confirmation laboratory. Within a year I was promoted to team leader and have participated in numerous courses throughout the years to enhance my knowledge and obtain experiences in other areas of the business. I love my job and believe we play an important role in the industry by ensuring the food and water we test is fit for human consumption.

Jen Murray

Finance Administrator

I started my financial career at the Royal Bank of Scotland in the 1980s. I’ve worked in finance on and off for the last 30 years and joined the EMS team in 2017. Working at EMS is my first foray into science, so it has definitely been a learning curve, but if you have any queries about finance or invoices, drop me a line.

Sandra Morisetti

HR Manager

My name is Sandra Morisetti and I joined EMS in May 2016.  My background is in Hospitality and Mentoring. I have spent years within HR (too many to mention) however none of it spent in the field of Science, so joining Express was like joining a whole new world and quite a learning curve for me. It has taken me a while and only with the patience of my colleagues, am I getting my head round the terminology and how things work, but as in most HR jobs there are the similarities. In my spare time I enjoy improving my Gaelic, Zumba and spending time with my family and friends.

Alan Gruber

Transport Manager

I joined Express Microbiology in 2009, initially spreading my time between driving one of the 3 vans and working in the lab. It became evident that the vans were requiring slightly more attention than they’d been receiving, so I started looking after them too. Between the maintenance, scheduling collections,  taking samples on-site and doing the collections it’s kept me fairly busy. The fleet has grown to 9 refrigerated vans which cover about 8000 miles per week with 8 full time drivers. I’m living the dream!

What to Expect

Our People
At EMS, we employ a dedicated team of specialists to ensure we never stop improving the services we provide. Our R&D Microbiologists are tasked with developing new methodologies and validation methods with new matrices, while our Industrial Microbiologists assist customers with contamination issues, and proactively plan preventative solutions. Finally, but critically, our IT specialists engineer bespoke solutions and provide technical support for each one of our customers.

Our Promise
Trust is paramount to the services EMS provides, and we promise that the data we deliver will be fit for purpose. Should results turn out not to be what you expected we will work with you to resolve all issues as quickly as possible.

Accreditations, Approvals and Memberships

We want our customers to have complete peace of mind. We therefore maintain the following accreditations, approvals and memberships, thus verifying our competencies and giving customers confidence in our work.