STEM SUSSEX

What is your background in STEM?

My degree in biomedicine covered every aspect of the biosciences such: immunology, human physiology, microbiology, genetics and biomolecular science. It gave me an excellent foundation of knowledge which I find myself using all the time, despite most of it not being involved in my current area of research.

Tell us a bit about your job history

I went into research pretty much immediately after my degree; but I found time during my degree to train with the officer training corps in the Territorial Army.

Were you able to find a job easily when you wanted to?

I was recommended by my undergraduate project supervisor, after a casual interview over coffee I was offered a PhD and here I am!

What do you do at the moment (in broad terms)?

I'm currently working with the diabetes research group as a final year PhD student; my project is investigating 3D biomaterials for use in growing Beta cells from stem cells. Type 1 diabetes is a metabolic disease that arises due to the destruction of an individual's beta cells; these cells are located in the pancreas and produce the hormone insulin. Insulin functions to maintain glucose levels in the blood. Current treatments involve injections of insulin to prevent blood glucose fluctuating to lethal levels. If beta cells can be successfully grown in the lab from stem cells and implanted into patients suffering from type 1 diabetes it could hold potential as a cure.

What skills do you use in your job?

A PhD is effectively training for a career in research, it tests and improves a variety of skills; primarily communication, creativity and confidence. For me it has greatly improved how I study, learn and think about things. But overall it is a massive test of mental integrity, it's important to keep your chin up when experiments don't work and have a positive attitude when the pressure is on.

Give some examples of things you do in your day to day work

There isn't a standard day with a PhD project, most of the time I'll be in the lab working on the latest experiment, or in the office scouring scientific literature.

How has your perception of STEM changed when moving between education and work

I suppose I've realised how vast science is outside of education; which isn't a bad thing. It's both comforting and exciting to know how many different research groups there are internationally. With each scientist working towards new solutions in areas such as disease, aging, tissue engineering andgenetics to name but a few.

What do you do in your spare time?

Lots of exercise - a good stress reliever!