Interview for the STEM career panel at The Big Bang Fair

Meet the future you

STEM careers panel

1. What’s the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve been part of in the last year?

I would have to say the ‘Women in Innovation’ funding competition. I was involved with running this competition for Innovate UK and I read hundreds of applications from incredibly innovative women. Attending the final stage interviews and meeting the most innovative women in their respective sectors was humbling. These women came from a diverse background and in many cases overcame huge challenges to reach success, and I found myself inspired by their stories and amazing innovations.

2. How does what you do change people’s lives?

I currently work at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and my role means I help fund innovative solutions to global challenges, such as feeding a growing population, or addressing the health challenges of an aging population. One exciting project was Worms in Space, which involved worms traveling to the international space station so we can study the molecular cause of neuromuscular decline which occurs during spaceflight, but is also relevant to human aging. This research could lead to revolutionary new treatments and healthier lives for our aging population, as well as allow us to travel to other planets.

3. What’s the coolest bit of equipment you’ve used?

I used a next-generation genome sequencer robot, which is a machine which can sequence your DNA. I sequenced the DNA of a large group of people who had either pancreatic or ovarian cancer, then developed an algorithm to identify unique mutations and link these to the patients’ outcomes and responses to different drugs or treatments. This could eventually be used by doctors, who could sequence a new patient and look at the specific mutations they have and know which treatments are likely to be effective. Being able to sequence a genome within a few hours is an incredible scientific achievement which would have been unthinkable a few decades ago.

4. What did you enjoy most at school/college?

At university I loved the freedom to choose the classes which interested me, so I took extra classes in virology and parasitology, as well as a class in Chinese. I loved being in an environment where I could study anything I wanted, and my tutors were very supportive and helped feed my curiosity. I also took advantage of the global university network to study abroad for a year in California. This allowed me to take classes which were not offered by my home university. Studying abroad was amazing and I would highly recommend it, as it helped me build a global network and become more adaptable to new ways of thinking and working.

5. Why/how did you decide to become a scientist or engineer?

It was during my A-levels that I fell in love with genetics, as it was a way to understand the biological world around us, that there was a reason why some people can roll their tongue as others can’t, and the secrets were in our DNA. This discovery changed everything for me and that was the moment I realised I wanted to become a scientist.

6. How do you think your job or industry will change the world in the future?

At the BBSRC we fund research to address the global challenges facing our planet. I think in the next decade we are going to see some rapid changes in the agriculture and food industries as the world adapts to a growing population and seeks to make food production more sustainable. Genome engineering is currently taking off, so I would expect this to play a large role in plant and animal breeding in the future. I also think there will be increasing research into alternatives to fossil fuels and ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere and plastics from the ocean.

7. What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at work?

I used to work for Addgene, which is based in Boston, USA. Every year I would travel to Boston for some annual meetings and teambuilding, and normally this would coincide with Halloween. Over the years there were some amazing team costumes, but the one which really stands out was when my colleague’s team chose the theme of ‘A Christmas Story’, and he dressed as the leg lamp, wearing a giant lampshade as a dress. I seriously thought I would die laughing. There was an amazing group of people at Addgene and working there was so much fun.  

8. Is there anything you wish you’d known when you were still at school?

I think I didn’t appreciate how the scientists we see in the media got to their positions, because from an outsider’s perspective it appears that they took a direct career path to their current job. We overlook and oversimplify the failures and career changes everyone experiences because no-one talks about them, and it’s easier to assume it’s because they were a genius. I would tell my past self that it is OK to try something and fail, to be ambitious and apply for courses and jobs which I don’t think I will get, because as the famous quote says “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars”. I have applied for dozens of jobs where I was not totally qualified and I still got offered the position or took a subject I thought I would fail and found I excelled at it, so I have learnt that the only thing holding me back was myself.

9. What is the most important tip or piece of advice you can offer our visitors today?

I would encourage you to talk to the scientists and get involved with the workshops, we are all very friendly and would love to talk to you and answer your questions. This event is an opportunity for you to interact with scientists, find out what their job is like and ask any questions you might have, so don’t be shy!

Read More

Interview about mentoring for Science Sophie

I have been mentoring students about science careers for a number of years, and Science Sophie requested an interview about my experiences and some advice for students starting out in science

What made you become a science mentor?

Several years ago I was asked to give advice to a friend’s daughter who was doing her A-levels and wanted to discuss potential careers in science. Since then I have been approached several times to advise about science careers and how I became a scientist, and so I began actively seeking out opportunities to mentor students, as it was clear that there was a demand for mentoring. Since then there has been a huge increase in the support available, through organisations like www.skypeascientist.com, stemettes.org and the government initiative STEM Ambassadors www.stem.org.uk

Did you have any mentors when you were a student?

No, unfortunately I never had any mentors growing up, and so knew very little about science careers other than what you see on TV. None of my family went to university and I didn’t know anyone who worked in science, so I honestly had no-one I could ask about science careers or even how to apply to university. I asked my science teacher about careers but they couldn’t really help, as they went straight from university into teaching. At times I felt pretty lost, and I think a mentor could have really helped me, as there was lots of thing I had not considered and opportunities I didn’t know about that I missed out on.

What do you think are the benefits of having a mentor?

I think having a mentor can be really valuable, as you can ask them for expert advice about the sector or industry you are interested in, this means you can avoid some of the common mistakes and pitfalls when applying. Mentors are also beneficial because they are someone outside of your circle of family and friends, and so they can provide impartial advice and you can have an honest discussions about careers which you might not be able to with your parents for example. Mentors can also give advice on where you can apply for work experience and summer placements, as well as suggest prospective shadowing opportunities. I think mentoring is particularly useful to women, because we can sometimes be more risk-adverse, and so it can really help to have someone supporting and advising you, giving you the confidence and ambition to apply for your desired course or role.

Do you think mentoring will help equalise the current gender imbalance in some STEM subjects?

I think mentoring can contribute towards increasing both diversity and gender equality within STEM. The issue of the gender imbalance is a complex problem with multiple factors, but I do think mentoring and support mechanisms will meaningfully contribute towards change, but it needs to be part of multiple initiatives and interventions if we are to achieve complete equality.

How can students find their own mentor?

I would recommend that you think about what you are looking for, is it just support for one thing, like writing your personal statement or deciding which course to study or are you looking for ongoing weekly mentoring? Are you looking for a scientist you can meet and shadow just for one day or just email and find out what their job is like? Do you want to speak with someone with a specific role, such as a medical doctor, or would someone working in any field of science be able to help you? Also, how do you want to meet with the person? By phone, email, Skype or in person? These types of questions will help identify suitable mentors, because if you want in-person weekly meetings you need to consider the mentor’s location and availability.

Once you have thought about what you are looking for, you can then find relevant mentors in a variety of ways, including asking your teachers, contacting STEM ambassadors, Skype a Scientist, Stemettes, or your local university. Also, don’t be afraid to look for another mentor if you are not finding the support you need, because every mentor will have different strengths and can help you in different ways.

What advice do you have for someone trying to deciding what A-levels to take?

Firstly, think about the subjects you enjoy at school and what career you might like, you can then look at the university courses which would lead to your desired career and the common A-level subjects they require and the minimum grades you will need. This will help you chose the right A-levels to ensure you can be accepted to the university course you want.

What advice do you have for someone studying A-levels and thinking about university?

If you are considering going to university but don’t know where to begin, there are a few things which can help. I would recommend visiting a few university campuses and meet the staff, this will give you an idea of what university life is like, as it is very different from school. If you have a talent or sport you play then consider universities which excel in this, as this will add to your university experience and many universities will offer scholarships in sports (my university offered a golf scholarship!). It is also important to consider if you want to be close to home so you can visit family or if you want to live in a big city or study abroad.

If you are applying to a very competitive course or university then think about relevant volunteering or shadowing experience which might make you stand out in your personal statement. This is especially relevant if you are considering studying medicine, as universities want to see a long-term dedication and passion for science, so volunteering with St John’s Ambulance for example would make you stand out. Summer independent research projects are also a great way to stand out and would be a great topic to discuss in university entrance interviews.

What other ways can students get career advice?

Luckily there is lots of ways you can get career advice, including from you teachers, career advisors, and your school librarian. The best career advice recourses can probably be found online, because they collate a huge range of expert advice and career options in one place, and so I would recommend checking out good websites like https://www.prospects.ac.uk/

What have you learnt since becoming a mentor?

I feel I’m always learning, but particularly when I’m mentoring I find I keep learning a lot about myself. I try and focus on giving my mentee options to think about and questions to prompt them, rather than telling them what they should do. My role is to help guide and support the person, and let them make their own informed decisions. Sometimes this is hard, particularly when they are having a challenging time or struggling with exams or life, but I always remind myself that my job is to help them learn and grow and not to solve their problems for them. As with a lot of volunteering, I find that when I give my time I receive so much in return. With mentoring it is especially true, because you feel part of the person’s success and can celebrate their achievements.

Read More