Profile
Tia Fletcher
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About Me:
I am a PhD student studying rare genetic diseases and spend my spare time looking after my 15 pets+ (including lots of creepy crawlies)! I am a self-professed geek and love reading, gaming, horror films and going to comic-con.
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I completed my degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Portsmouth in 2022. I took a year out during my degree to train as a Biomedical Scientist during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was trained in Haematology (blood science), Blood Transfusion, Biochemistry and Histology (tissue science). While I loved my placement year I really wanted to try research!
I completed my Masters of Research Science in 2023 where I studied rare genetic diseases. This lead to my PhD which I am currently completing. My PhD project focuses on rare genetic diseases using Frogs as a model organism!
My hobbies include looking after all my pets! We have a snake, two lizards, a hamster, 7 tarantulas (and more I have probably forgotten to mention)! I also love scary movies, reading and all things geeky! I go to MCM Comicon twice a year with my partner and my little brothers.
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My pronouns are:
She/Her
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My Work:
I am PhD student studying rare genetic diseases using tadpoles as a model organism.
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I currently study rare genetic diseases. These diseases affect less than 1 in 2,000 people. In order to understand these diseases better and support diagnoses we need more data!
I use Xenopus (african clawed frogs) to model these disorders, this may sound bizarre but genetically they are very similar to humans. Xenopus frogs have been used for many years in scientific research – you can model human disorders such as heart, kidney and neurological disorders in the frog.
I use a gene editing system called CRISPR to edit the DNA of the frog – CRISPR works like a pair of molecular sized scizzors that can cut out DNA. This results in tadpoles with the same genetic changes seen in humans with rare genetic diseases. We use the tadpoles to better understand the disorder, with the aim to develop treatments and help clinicans provide diagnoses.
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My Typical Day:
I wake up, have a large coffee and head to work. I get to work for 9am where I go to clean and feed my tadpoles. I spend the rest of my day doing experiments in the lab. My experiments range from amplifying DNA, taking pictures and measuring tadpoles, and even gene editing frog eggs!
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My day starts around 9am when I go to care for the tadpoles. The tadpoles are kept at 25 degrees celcius in an incubator. Everyday I replace their water and feed them a powder mix which is made of Spirulina (50%) and krill.
I then go to the lab to start my experiments. This is usually includes amplifying DNA via a process called PCR. Some days I also analyse the behaviour of my tadpoles. I do this by using using a machine with an Infrared camera that tracks how much the a tadpoles moves in 10 minutes. This allows us to see if the tadpoles with genetic mutations are delayed in motor development.
As the tadpoles get older I measure their working memory! I do this using a small Y shaped maze and monitoring the decisions the tadpoles make in the maze (this is my favourite part of my job!).
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would spend my prize money to bring more science to local schools! I tutor with ‘The Brilliant Club’ where we aim to bridge the gap between low income households and university. I would like to be able to bring this tutoring to more schools near me. I would use the prize money to develop resources such a newpaper print outs about Frogs In Science Through Time and interactive activities for young adults at school.
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Education:
I went to school and college in Portsmouth, UK. I then attended Portsmouth University where I completed my Undergraduate Degree, Master’s Degree and am currently doing my PhD!
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Qualifications:
GCSEs: Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, French, Product Design, 3D Art and Design, English Literature, English Language, History and IT.
A-Levels: Biology, Law and Applied Science (BTEC) as well as an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) focused on Epigenetics.
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science.
Master’s Degree: Master’s of Research Science in Biological Sciences.
Currently: PhD in Developmental Biology and Genetics!
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Work History:
I have had a variety of part time jobs during my BSc and Master’s degrees:
- Retail Assistant – Primark
- Receptionist – HMS Excellent (Royal Navy)
- Medical Laboratory Assistant (Spire Hospitals)
- Administration Assistant – 111 Emergency Service
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Current Job:
I get paid to do my PhD full time which is awesome! I am also a Biology tutor at the Brilliant Club.
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Employer:
South Coast Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Geeky, spooky and sarcastic!
What did you want to be after you left school?
A Biomedical Scientist - I loved it! But I now know I want to be a genetic researcher.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
A little - I used to talk alot in class... normally maths because I thought it was boring.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I would be running my own pet shop!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
I love cheesy pop punk/emo - Green Day, All Time Low, Good Charlotte, Blink 182 etc
What's your favourite food?
Coffee... does that count?
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
1. To be able to teleport (then I would stop being late all the time). 2. To have a home library for my growing book collection! 3. To have space to have a cool pet like a tegu (a big lizard) or a sausage dog!
Tell us a joke.
Whats the difference between a fly and a mosquito? A mosquito can fly, but a fly can't mosquito (I'm sorry).
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