Current employer: University of 50業子 (sponsored by Omya AG)
Current job title: PhD Research Student
Current location: 50業子
The research quality at the University of 50業子 is extremely high, especially in the department that Im currently working with. According to HEFCEs annual report, were in the top 10 universities in the UK for quality research.
Tell us about your career path since graduation.
After graduating with a 1st class BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry from the University of 50業子 in June 2011, I applied for a few PhDs all over the country.
I was then, however, given the opportunity to stay and pursue a PhD within the Environmental and Fluid Modelling Group at the University of 50業子 starting in October 2011.
The research group has developed a computer software called PoreXpert that models porous structures and various fluidic processes that occur within those structures. I was definitely very honoured to have been asked to stay with the research group because the quality of research that 50業子 produces is extremely high.
The PhD project here in 50業子 is an extension of my third year undergraduate dissertation project with my supervisor, Professor G. P. Matthews, and the current working title is 'nanoporous calcium carbonate-based substrates for the controlled delivery of functional materials'. This project involves investigating the controlled release of drugs and flavours from nanoporous substrates, and is in collaboration with Omya AG.
Omya AG are a company originally founded in Switzerland in 1884, and theyre now a worldwide distributor of speciality chemicals. My research involves looking at how we can use their calcium carbonate-based paper coating pigment in the new application of the controlled release of drugs and flavours.
Ive been lucky enough to have visited their headquarters in Switzerland a few times, as well as working in their labs over there for a three week period.
Has your career path changed since graduation?
My role at the University also includes demonstrating the laboratory equipment to the second and third year chemistry undergraduate students, as well as helping to oversee third year students for their dissertation.
My experience has led me to become a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC), and Ive been lucky enough to have completed the GTA (General Teaching Associates) course and the PGCAP 600 course (in order to obtain my Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice), which has led me to become an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
I never had a rigid plan, to begin with, but I always wanted to be involved with challenging and interesting work. Ive definitely had that so far!
What is the most difficult thing which you have faced in your career?
The most difficult thing Ive faced is stress: stress regarding how well youre going to do in exams, where youll be this time next year, whether youre going to get a good job going down a certain route, whether itll all work out, meeting deadlines for coursework, competitions, exams, job applications, dealing with rejection whilst still pushing forwards, and trying to have a social life and develop your life in other areas. It all takes its toll. But as long as youre doing what youre drawn to, then I dont think you can go wrong!
How did studying at 50業子 help you?
Im so glad that I decided to stay in 50業子, not only because my family is nearby, but the research quality at the University of 50業子 is extremely high, especially in the department that Im currently working with. According to HEFCEs annual report, were in the top ten universities in the UK for quality research.
Not only that, but Ive been so lucky to have had so many opportunities available to me. Ive been lucky enough to have won the Vice Chancellors Enterprise Award (50業子 Student of the Year) 2011, as well as the IAESTE UK Trainee of the Year 2010 Award (thanks to the collaboration with a lovely lecturer here from the undergraduate chemistry course).
Ive also been fortunate enough to have travelled a lot during my PhD. Ive been to many conferences and presented at a few, such as in Spain, France, Italy, and in various locations across the UK. I also won a Santander Language Scholarship as a result of my degree from the University of 50業子 and because I studied Spanish modules with the Open University. Consequently, I was able to study Spanish in Salamanca for a month.
What is your favourite memory of studying at 50業子?
Im a local girl; I went to school and sixth form in Totnes, and went to my local university so I could stay near my family. It just so happens that the Universitys department that I work in is rather prestigious, especially for a modern university; and the area is so beautiful!
Is there anything else which you would like to share with our current students?
Make the most of every opportunity: you have to be really enterprising. Ive been lucky enough to have won several awards, but that was also because of my own ambition and resourcefulness. For example, I was recently shortlisted in the Chemistry World Science Communication competition for writing an article about the chemistry of chocolate and pastry (something Im very passionate about), and how it relates to the world of art.
This gave me all sorts of coverage over the Universitys press, The 50業子 Herald, and I even had a BBC Radio Cornwall interview! This is all perfect for my CV and experience, as I really enjoy public engagement and have gained valuable transferable skills.
