Profile
Diana Martin
-
About Me:
I live in Leicester in a house with my family. Outside of work I am a volunteer first aider and help to run youth groups.
I also love a good Dad joke!
-
Read more
I have 2 children, who also love science, and a husband who works in the space industry.
My volunteer role with St John Ambulance keeps me busy. I get involved with teaching first aid to others, and providing first aid to the public at events. If that wasn’t enough, I also help out with the youth groups, Badgers.
-
My pronouns are:
she/her
-
My Work:
I am a Laboratory Technician in the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology at the University of Leicester.
-
Read more
I have one of the best jobs in the world!
My main role is supporting researchers, and making sure they have everything they need to work safety and effectively in the lab.
I get involved with training new members of staff and students, ordering in supplies, health and safety and I help with research too!
Another one of my roles is teaching. I prepare all the things needed to teach over 350 students in one practical laboratory session, to teach them the basics of how to work in a laboratory. When I have some free time, I also head out into schools, to teach year 6 all about DNA.
-
My Typical Day:
No day is ever the same….
-
Read more
One day I can be doing some research…
Another I can be fixing some broken equipment…
Another I can be in the teaching laboratory helping new students…
That’s what makes my job the best in the world!
-
What I'd do with the prize money:
If I had £500, I would buy lots more kit to be able to go out to more schools and develop my DNA and Genetics session. I would love to be able to take more laboratory equipment out to the students to show them in their school!
-
Education:
I grew up in Essex, and went to the Appleton School in Benfleet, then St Bernards High School for Girls for 6th Form. After this, I attended the University of Surrey to do a degree in Biomedical Science.
-
Qualifications:
GCSEs 10 grades A* to B
AS-Level Citizenship (C)
A-Level (Before A* came in…) Biology (A), Chemistry (B), Mathematics (B), Psychology (C)
Degree BSc Biomedical Science (2:1) The University of Surrey
-
Work History:
My first job was in a music shop, tuning guitars!
Whilst at University, I had part time jobs working on ambulances and as an administration assistance for a finance company. I also did a placement in a medical laboratory.
After I graduated I worked at ThermoFisher Scientific, in a manufacturing laboratory for 3 years.
Then I got the job working at University of Leicester, and have been here for 11 years
-
Current Job:
Laboratory Technician in the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology.
-
Employer:
University of Leicester
-
My Interview
-
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Mad about science
What did you want to be after you left school?
A scientist!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I was a good girl...honest!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I would be doing a job that involves helping people, prehaps a nurse.
What's your favourite food?
Pizza!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I would love more time, I'm always running out of time!
Tell us a joke.
What did the police officer say to his belly-button? You’re under a vest!
-