Profile
Sharon Madzorera
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About Me:
Hi, I am Sharon. I spend most of my time with my three lovely kids, and my partner of 14 years. My days are filled with laughter, tickle fights and lots of story telling! I enjoy singing and listening to music, I find both so relaxing! Our family has just moved to the UK from Johannesburg, South Africa. So far, we are loving our new home in Saffron Walden. My favorite food has been mashed potatoes since I was five and mom made them for me whenever I was unwell. I’m not yet sure what my favorite color is, but I am fond of every shade of red.
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My pronouns are:
My pronouns are she/her
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My Work:
My career is focused on understanding genetics and microorganisms. From viruses to humans, genetics help us understand how we can prevent diseases and cure serious illnesses.I am currently working with the Wellcome Sanger Institute near Cambridge.
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Read more
I obtained my undergraduate degree with majors in Microbiology and Biochemistry from the University of South Africa in 2014. In 2018, I completed my Masters in Virology at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. I started my work at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2015. I worked there for seven years prior to Joining the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Auguts 2022. I have mainly worked in the field of molecular virology, focusing specifically on HIV and SARS-CoV-2. I am currently part of Wellcome Sanger Institute’s Gene Editing team within Cellular Operations.
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My Typical Day:
Mmmm, my typical day usually starts with breakfast at home with the family before the kids are off to school. At that point, I take the bus to the lovely Wellcome Genome Campus, where I work. Let me tell you, this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever set eyes on. Spending eight hours a day there is such an honor. I look out the window to see the lovely gardens and lake that surround the campus.
Work normally starts with a catch up meeting with my line manager. We talk about things we did the day before and things we would like to achieve on that particular day. I then head off into the lab, where my colleagues usually have the radio on in the background, and I put on my protective work gear (very important for a scientist to stay safe!). I usually work with bacteria and mammalian cells a lot! Sometimes its tiny tubes of DNA, other times its large flasks of different kinds of cells.
At about 12, my colleagues and I like to take a break and have lunch at the campus restaurant. We catch up on what’s going on in each other’s lives, and we try to keep the work talk to a minimum. Sometimes, we do spend half the day attending meetings. They are as important as the science itself!
Just before 5pm, I shutdown my machine, wash my hands for the last time, and head to the bus stop to catch the bus back home, where the family welcomes me with a loud roar at the door “MOMMY”. I am very fortunate in many ways!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Well if I had £500 of prize money, I would buy the necessary equipment to set up a science podcast (or youtube channel) to educate young people about the little bits of molecules that make us who we are. The genetic code is made up of RNA, DNA and protein. I was fortunate enough to learn about this amazing science early on, and I would love to open this information up to young kids all over the world!
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Education:
I wen to school back in my home country of Zimbabwe. I attended both Primary and High school there before I moved to South Africa, where I did my tertiary education. I studied at the University of South Africa as well as the University of the Witwatersrand.
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Qualifications:
I passed 7 O levels in 2013, and I went on to do my A levels. I picked biology, food science and geography. I passed all three with a total of 8 points.
I had a bit of a study break due to lack of funds, but I was fortunate enough to do my Bachelor of science in Microbiology and Biochemistry between 2011 and 2013. I passed with distinction. I worked for a couple of years before I pursued my masters in 2017. I graduated with distinction for my masters in Virology in 2018.
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Work History:
In 2009, I started working for a small engineering company in Johannesburg as a receptionist. This was how I paid for my undergraduate degree, which I did part time while working. I enjoyed my time here and I had very supportive bosses.
Once I graduated, I got my first science job as an intern at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in Johannesburg. I had really supportive bosses that helped me get my masters and move up to medical scientist before I left to join the Wellcome Sanger Institute, where I am now working as an Advanced Research Assistant in gene editing.
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Employer:
Wellcome Sanger Institute
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Focused, Singing Virologist
What did you want to be after you left school?
A scientist, any type of scientist :)
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I'm human, so yes!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Computer Programming
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Lots of different bands but I think Ed Sheeran
What's your favourite food?
Mashed Potatoes
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I would be skinny and never gain weight again, I would be able to keep all the children of the world safe and happy, and I would have a PhD without studying haha
Tell us a joke.
Q: What did one wall say to the other? A: I will meet you at the corner!
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