Profile

Photo:

Michelle Hawkins

    • About Me:

      I work at the University of York as a scientist and teacher. I like to keep busy so I’m a member of three choirs and a sci-fi book club. I also compete in adult gymnastics competitions.

    • Read more

      I have loved gymnastics since I got hooked watching the Olympics in 1996. I only took up the sport of gymnastics two years ago and it’s been a really fun challenge to start a new sport at 40 years old. I have also competed in trampolining for 20 years and dabbled in many other sports. I spend my holidays going to big sporting events, this summer I went to the Paris Olympics and had an amazing time. I discovered singing 15 years ago and my three choirs are very different;  one focuses on rock/pop music, another sings a mix of songs from different centuries and in different languages. The third is new and is still settling on a style. I cycle everywhere and I love listening to podcasts. I am married and my husband and I are in the same science-fiction book club. We enjoy watching sci-fi films and TV programmes together.

       

       

    • My pronouns are:

      she/her

    • My Work:

      I am a Lecturer in Microbiology. I lead a group of scientists and we are exploring how bacteria copies its DNA. I also teach students studying biology at University.

    • Read more

      DNA contains all the information needed for life. Bacteria (germs) have DNA that is shaped like a circle and this DNA needs to be copied before bacteria can divide. We are interested in finding out how this copying process works and how it copes with anything that gets in its way.

    • My Typical Day:

      I have a 20 minute cycle to work and aim to be there by 0930. Once I’m in my office I usually check my e-mail and catch up with my lab (lab is short for laboratory and is the place where we do experiments) group. No day is the same, I might have meetings with other scientists, some teaching in a lecture theatre or be showing students how to do something in the lab. Now that I run a lab group I don’t do many experiments myself. I am usually home by 1800 and then after dinner I’m off to do one of my hobbies.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I would make some cool 3D printed props to demonstrate how DNA gets copied and how it is different in different forms of life. I give career talks in schools and this would be a fun way to show what I work on. Props are more exciting than pictures and remind everyone that the complicated things going on with our DNA take place in multiple dimensions.

    Candidate CV questions (extra)

    • Education:

      1993-2000 The Ridgeway School

      Normal comprehensive school that had a sixth form where I did my A-levels. Biology was my favourite subject but it took a while before I settled on wanting to be a scientist.

      2000-2001 Gap year

      I went to the Sydney Olympics, worked a few jobs, volunteered with Age Concern charity and learned to be a gymnastics coach/play harmonica (not at the same time!).

      2001-2005 University of Bath

      This is where I did my biology degree. I spent a year working in a research lab in the USA as part of my degree. This showed me that I liked doing experiments and that I could do it.

      2005-2009 University of Nottingham

      This is where I did my PhD and learned to be a researcher. To get a PhD you have to find out something new in your chosen field.

    • Qualifications:

      GCSE: Maths, English language and literature, Double science, Drama, Geography, French, Graphic products, Statistics.

      A-level: Biology (B), Chemistry (B), Maths (B) and English language and literature (A)

      Masters in Biology (first class)

      PhD in Genetics

       

    • Work History:

      Paper round

      Babysitting

      Playworker at a holiday club

      Gymnastics coach at a USA summer camp

      WHSmith retail assistant

      Student Union finance administrator

      Boots product testing assistant

      Trampoline coach

      Post-doctoral research assistant

      Gymnastics coach

       

       

       

       

    • Current Job:

      Lecturer in Microbiology

    • Employer:

      University of York

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Hobby-obsessed microbiologist

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        Scientist

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Never, I'm a rule follower and still am.

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Gymnastics photographer

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        I prefer instrumental music or podcasts.

        What's your favourite food?

        Spaghetti for real food, jelly beans for snacks!

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        1. The ability to transport/apparate instantly from place to place 2. To be in the arena when a GB female gymnast first wins Olympic gold 3. A personal gymnastics coach

        Tell us a joke.

        Biology is the only science in which multiplication is the same thing as division.

Questions answered by Michelle

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