A STUDENT stunned bosses at a top drugs firm by developing a revolutionary method of making medicine - while on work experience.

Dedicated Rebecca Savage, aged 19, of Alexander Drive, Unsworth, worked so hard on the astounding breakthrough that pharaceuticals giant AstraZeneca can now save up to £200,000 a year at one of its bases alone.

It is likely to be rolled out at the company’s 27 factories worldwide and could even be used by other drug businesses to ensure millions of people across the world get access to medicine quicker.

In recognition of her breathtaking achievement, the former King David School pupil was last week given an award for the best contribution to science and industry at a ceremony in London.

She said she was staggered to get such praise from business high flyers and was now looking forward to three years of studying chemical engineering at university.

“If you would have told me last July that I would in this position now, I would never have believed you. I am really pleased to have come so far and I’ve gained so much confidence before university,” said Rebecca, who also enjoys acting and competitive disco dancing.

For 11 months from September 2007, Rebecca was on a work placement organised at the firm’s Macclesfield facility as part of the Year In Industry programme, which, each year, gives 600 budding university students a chance to sample the world of work before starting their courses.

She worked with a research and development team looking into how to speed up how chemicals react with each other.

Before, they had to mix the chemicals on a large scale, but that meant waiting long periods to get the results and safety restrictions meant some experiments were impossible.

Rebecca drew up a plan for an experiment to mixing chemicals on a small scale in which two chemicals would flow through taps, allowing for more efficient mixing.

After a setback or two, the result was staggering. Such experiments used to take 22 hours. Now they take just four minutes.

AstraZeneca’s process research and development manager James A Baird said: “Rebecca’s work represents a significant step forward in allowing AstraZeneca to harness the benefits of micro-reactors.

“She has worked independently to solve some significant challenges, overcoming steep learning curves and successfully interacting with process and analytical chemists.”

Rebecca said: “Once I’d drawn up a plan to carry out the test, I had to write a report and deliver presentations to heads of departments who know a lot more about the subject than me. It was pretty nerve wracking.”

At the Year In Industry awards ceremony last Thursday, September 11, Rebecca had to give a similar presentation.

She added: “I was so nervous when I saw the size of the auditorium. I had to give a five-minute speech and then answer questions on the work we did.

“My mum Jackie and my sister Melissa came with me. Mum was so proud. It’s one thing coming home from work telling her what I’ve done, but another for her to see so many at the awards showing interest.”

AstraZeneca have not only invited Rebecca back next summer, but it is also paying for part of her university tuition.