Profile

Candidate CV questions (extra)

• Education:

  I went to a state comprehensive secondary school – it was called Costello Technology College when I was there but it’s now called The Costello School. I enjoyed all my subjects and did well across my GCSEs, but I had a fantastic science teacher who I really liked and inspired me to focus on science subjects at A-level. The secondary schools where I grew up only went up to year 11, so I went to separate sixth form called Queen Mary’s College.

  I did my first degree in Biological Sciences at University College London (UCL), specialising in cell and molecular biology. I was able to choose lots of my modules and got more and more interested in infectious disease and microbiology during my degree. I studied for four years and got an undergraduate Master in Science (MSci). Because I was doing a four-year course I was able to do a year abroad, and  in my third year I moved to Montreal in Canada to study at McGill University.

  After I graduated, I wanted to keep studying and become a scientist so I did a PhD at the Francis Crick Institute in London. I spent four years in the lab researching HIV to become a Doctor of Virology.

• Qualifications:

  I have 12 GCSEs: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, English literature, English language, Religious studies, French, History, Electronics and a double ICT award.

  I did five subjects in my first year of sixth form and carried three on to my second year. So, I have two AS-levels in French and Philosophy and three A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. Philosophy was a new subject for me when I went to college and I really enjoyed having a chance to write and think creatively. I really enjoyed learning a language and wanted to keep studying French but I decided to focus on the subjects I would need to get into university to study science. I also did an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in my second year at sixth form – I really enjoyed doing my own reading and research to write an essay that combined my biology and philosophy studies.

  At first I wasn’t sure if I should do chemistry or biology at university but I went with my gut (and my passion for David Attenborough documentaries) and decided on biology. My undergraduate degree is MSci Biological Sciences (Cell and Molecular Biology) with a year abroad.

  The qualification you get to become an academic doctor (rather than a medical doctor!) is called a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – my PhD is in Virology.

• Work History:

  I always worked part-time while I was studying. During sixth form I worked at the shoe shop Schuh on weekends and some evenings after college. At university I was a student ambassador, which meant giving tours to A-level students thinking of applying to study at UCL and helping to run summer schools for secondary school students. Working for the university was a great way to get some extra cash that fit in around my lectures! Outside of term time I often got other part-time work in shops, back at Schuh or at Clarks, and one summer at Build a Bear workshop!

  Doing a PhD is more like a full-time job than it is like studying – you’re not employed but you do get paid (but it’s called a stipend not a salary and you don’t have to pay tax!). So I didn’t have any paid work during my PhD, but I did lots of volunteering for public engagement, science communication and outreach. By the end of my PhD I found that I enjoyed talking and writing about science more than doing science myself, which is what brought me to my current job!

• Current Job:

  Science manager in the communications team. I love that it combines science and writing and gives me lots of opportunities to talk about science with all kinds of different people!

• Employer:

  The National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs).