Profile
David Bremner
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About Me:
I live with my wife and son in Turriff, Aberdeenshire.
I’m a research technician at the University of Aberdeen Monday to Friday and have 2 cats.
I like playing lawn bowls, watching sport and doing activities with my son.
My favourite movie is Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
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I used to play rugby for a local team but was retired for about 12 years, i am now trying to get back into it with a new team where i live just to get one or two more seasons.
I like listening to music and going to concerts,
I like going to the theatre and my favourite genre would be musicals or the Christmas pantomimes (Oh yes it is!!)
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My pronouns are:
he/him
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My Work:
I work in nutrition and health, looking at what people eat or how it impacts on their health.
I give certain diets, specific food items or supplements to people and look at the effects they have on the body.
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I collect samples from the people on my studies and then work in the lab with these samples.
I make sure that all the equipment we use is safe to use and ready to go when it is needed.
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My Typical Day:
I wake up at 0430 and travel to Aberdeen and am at my desk by 0600.
I check all the equipment is ready then work with the human participants until 1400.
I then clean down all the rooms and tidy up and leave work by 1500 and get home in time to make tea.
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Because i am collecting samples from my participants i don’t have set times for coffee or lunch, i just grab what i can at my desk when there is spare time.
Sometimes i will have to go to meetings which i find boring!
In the evenings i watch tv or i play bowls inside during winter or outside during summer.
Even though i get up so early i don’t go to bed until about 2300.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’m currently trying out a STEM activity where i write pen pal letters to a class across a school year, which they send replies to.
In the letters i tell them about me, set them tasks, ask all about them and their school and let them ask me any questions they want to know, a bit like I’m a Scientist but in slightly more structured form.
I would spend the money on books or other resources that would help me to expand this.
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Education:
- Bankhead Academy – August 1986 – June 1992
- Aberdeen Technical College – August 1992- June 1996
- Robert Gordons University – August 1996 – May 1998
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Qualifications:
Standard grade English and Maths
O Level Chemistry, Biology, French, German, Home Economics, Accounts
Higher Level Chemistry, English, History and Biology
Sixth Year Studies Biology
Ordinary National Certificate in Applied Chemistry
Higher National Certificate in Applied Chemistry
Bachelor of Science degree pass in Applied Biosciences and Chemistry
IOSH Managing Safely certification
LRQA Internal Auditor Certification
Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AfHEA)
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Work History:
1992 – 1995
Started straight from school as a technician in the chromatography section of the Analytical services department of a nutritional research institute.
1995 – 2004
Moved to the Protein metabolism division to work as a research technician working on amino acid utilisation.
2004-Present Day
Work as a research technician in the Human Intervention Studies Unit providing support for a variety of nutritional studies looking at how dietary change or supplementation mainly using natural products or foods impacts human health parameters or body composition measurements.
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Current Job:
Research technician in Human Intervention Studies Unit
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Employer:
University of Aberdeen
Rowett Institute
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
helpful big-hearted technician
What did you want to be after you left school?
back at school
Were you ever in trouble at school?
NOOOOO, i was a good boy.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I think i would be a teacher.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Bruce Springsteen
What's your favourite food?
Pizza
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Lots of money, a huge motorhome so i could go anywhere anytime and that we could fix the issues with planet earth that we have caused.
Tell us a joke.
Why can you never trust atoms? They make up everything.
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