Profile
Cobus Smit
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About Me:
I love to laugh and make others laugh. I am quite nerdy and almost exclusively read fantasy novels and love to play xbox. I live with my wife and two girls, 2 and 4, in York.
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I completed my PhD in Wine Biotechnology in 2019 where I focussed my research arround the compounds emitted in grapevine flowers. I was born and also studied in South Africa. Being from a grapevine sciences background I have a strong interest in plant science that can bennefit farmers. My broad area of focus covers plant specialised metabolism and I make use of techniques that allow me to look at the genetics of plants and how they produce particular compounds, usually ones that have a strong smell. I then explore how these genes have evolved by comparing the genetics from related plants.
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My Typical Day:
I am usually woken up by one of my kids somewhere around 6:30 am. I start my mornings with a coffee and some breakfast cereal. My wife and I then get the kids and ourselves dressed so that my eldest can go to school. I usually cycle to work and try to start work arround 8:30. My mornings usually involve some office admin (emails and experimental planning). By mid-morning I am either doing experiments in the lab or on the computer and this keeps me busy for most of the day. I usually have lunch with work friends. I like to take breaks andgo walk outside toget some fresh air. This often helps my solve some problems with experiments that don’t work the first time. I also spend a lot of time reading scientific papers and training new students in the lab.
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Most of my experimental work is done on a computer. We refer to this as bioinformatics. We generate a lot of data in our experiments and need powerful computers to help us analyse and understand it. I therefore spend a lot of time coding (might look a bit like I am hacking) to turn data into something that I can understand, usually in the form a picture. I love taking something from raw data to something that people can understand. I love interacting with people and enjoy striking up conversations in the lab. I often learn something new from those arround me.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Various plants arround us emmit a strong smell when we rub it. We often use plants like mint and rose to flavour our water or make our homes smell nice. BUT plants that look similar can have very different smells. I would like to have a touch and smell activity that can be used by teachers to show the variety of smelsl you can get from plants.
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Education:
Primary School – Mikro, Kuilsriver, South Africa
High School – Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch, South Africa
University- Stellenbosch University. South Africa
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Qualifications:
My shcooling system was a bit different. If I had to compare it to the Britsh system then I would the equivelent of A-levels in Maths, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and then two languages (English and Afrikaans).
I did all my degrees at Stellenbosch University.
I have an undergarduate degree in science – BSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
I have Masters (MSc) and Docterate (PhD) in Wine Biotechnology
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Work History:
Before I pursued my post-graduate studies I did some internships at biotechnology companies to see if I really wanted a career in science. And I loved it! I then embarked on seven years of post-graduates studies untill I got my PhD. My first job in science is the one I have now.
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Current Job:
I am a Research Associate at the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) at the University of York. I work in the lab of Dr. Benjamin Lichman.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Jokester, nerd, scientist
What did you want to be after you left school?
A plant scientist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
YES
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Right now... Billy Raffoul
What's your favourite food?
Tough one... I would say sushi
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I would wish to have more time to play Xbox, to have an electric car and more time to sleep...
Tell us a joke.
What did the police officer say to his belly-button? You’re under a vest.
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