Profile
Alison Tidy
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About Me:
I live with my family (2 children) in Derby with 3 cats, and I am a Plant Scientist. I love spending time outside, whether this is walking in the Peak District, visiting the sea or going to the park, and when I have the opportunity I enjoy kayaking and rock climbing. In the evenings I love watching disney films with the kids and reading a good sci-fi or fantasy book.
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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My Work:
My work as a plant scientist looks at flower and pollen development, and the effect heat stress has on them.
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My Typical Day:
I wake up, or more normally get woken up by one or both of the kids. Sort out breakfast for them and drop them off at nursery/school. I generally get to work at 9:30am where I do experiments in the lab or glasshouse. I will grab a working lunch and then back to the lab/glasshouse, before heading home at 3pm to pick up the kids. I will do another hour working, mostly emails while they watch tv or do homework. Then dinner, time with the kids, playing games, stories and then bed around 10pm.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I am currently writing a StoryTime STEM series of books, the Plant Scientist one has already been completed, but have a Chemistry and Ecology one also written but not designed, it would be lovely to pay an illustrator to finish the other two books off. These books are then a centre for outreach storytime STEM activities at STEM events, school visits and after school science clubs.
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Education:
Year 7-13 – The King School Peterborough (7 years).
I enjoyed Biology and Genetics in particular at GCSE and A levels so decided to do a general course which covered Animal, Microbes and Plant Biotechnology for my undergraduate degree.
BSc. (Hons) Biotechnology – University of Nottingham (3 years). Within the first year of my course I realised I had an affinity for Plant Science, and therefore when possible I choose plant science modules, by my final year the majority of my courses were Plant Science focused. I won the Sygenta Plant Science Prize for best Plant Science Marks and was encouraged to do a PhD.
PhD Plant Science – University of Nottingham (4 years). My PhD followed what I was interested in during my undergraduate and I looked at the effects of hormones and root development in plants.
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Qualifications:
10 GCSE – A (English, History, Double Science, English Lit, Geography, Maths, RE), C (French, D&T)
4 A-Levels – A (English Lit, Geography, General Studies), B (Biology)
Bachelor of Science with honours – First Class (Biotechnology).
Doctor of Philosophy
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Work History:
Summer Job as a Play Assistant at a Summer Holiday Club (2 months).
Christmas Job as a warehouse stacker for Next (1 month).
These were both part time jobs during my A levels and Undergraduate degree.
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Employer:
University of Nottingham
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
kayaking plant scientist
What did you want to be after you left school?
Scientist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Vet or working at a zoo.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
They Might Be Giants
What's your favourite food?
Spagetti Bolanese
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
More time to do the things I love (there never seems to be enough), a house that cleans itself, and an unlimited supply of chocolate
Tell us a joke.
What kind of tree can fit into your hand? - A Palm Tree
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