Profile
Cat Cowie
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About Me:
I live in Scotland with my partner and two young daughters and our puppy Bramble. I’m a scientist by day, and action Mum by night as we get out and go hiking, horse riding, kickboxing and swimming in our spare time!
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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My Work:
I’m an Environmental Scientist who works to bring people and scientific research together to find solutions to big environmental problems.
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My Typical Day:
On a typical day I first spend time with my family and walk the dog. Then I start work and this involves reading and hearing about research by other people, asking people questions, thinking of ideas with the people I work with, writing about what we have done and also teaching and looking after my students who are learning to be scientists too. I almost always do this from my desk at home, so when I finish I’m there and ready to enjoy the evening!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
If I won I would use the money to create equipment and games to show kids and their communities how to use natural approaches to protect their area from flooding.
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Education:
I went to school in Essex and I had no idea what I wanted to study – so many options! For A levels/Highers I went for what I was interested in with no idea of what it could lead to – Biology, Chemistry and Maths were immediately useful in science but I also did German, Psychology and History! It was years later that this all came together now that I’m a scientist working with people.
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Qualifications:
GCSEs: 11 GCSEs grade A-C (mostly Cs, I think I took on a few too many!)
A-levels: Biology (B), Psychology (B), History (C)
International Baccalaureate (Standard Level): Maths (5), Chemistry (4), German (4)
The standard levels equate to an AS level, and are given a maximum mark of 7, where 7=A*, 6=A, 5=B etc.
BSc Degree in Ecology, Conservation and the Environment (this was one course with three labels, not three degrees!)
MRes Ecology and Environmental Management (I got a distinction for this one – so chuffed!)
PhD in Environmental Economics and Environmental Management (“An integrative approach to disease management in mixed wildlife-livestock systems”). I did this research looking at how diseases spread between cows, pigs, badgers, deer and wild boar in Spain.
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Work History:
1999-2003 Pharmacy Assistant
2003-2014 University Student! During this time I also working in bars and restaurants, and as a research assistant at university and in a job placement at a research institute. I was paid to study for my Masters and PhD during this time too!
2014-2018 Career break to focus on family and travel. Volunteer Chairperson of a pre-school and STEM ambassador.
2018-now Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of York – working on a big variety of projects looking at how deer affect the environment and climate, about how we measure change in the environment, and about how communities can protect where they live from flooding.
2021 – now Associate Lecturer at the Open University – working to teach other adults how to also be Environmental Scientists!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
enthusiastic energetic environmentalist!
What did you want to be after you left school?
A vet
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Only once or twice...
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
A farmer
Who is your favourite singer or band?
The right music for my mood that day!
What's your favourite food?
Yorkshire pudding
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To stay happy, healthy and to keep learning
Tell us a joke.
What kind of tree can grow in your hand? A Palm Tree
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