Profile

It has always been my goal to work in genetics, ever since I learnt about it in year 11. I found it so interesting to learn how we could find out how we inherited our looks, personality, interests and any diseases from our parents.

I am a bit of a geek, loving all things science and love to keep learning about genetics. I read New Scientist (a science magazine) when I can.

As well as science, I love to go running, and currently training for a 10k run. I am finding it hard, but the achievement will be worth it in the end.

I love to spend time with my friends, and usually spend that time eating tasty food and having a good chat! We also organise to go travelling with each other from time to time, which is one of my favourite things to do! So far my favourite place that I have been is St Vincent in the Caribbean! The people are so friendly, and food tastes so good!

I also love Italian food! Pasta always makes things better.

My favourite music band is Imagine Dragons, and have followed them since 2014. I’ve been lucky enough to see them in concert!

I have struggled with confidence and anxiety (still do) especially with exams and assignments. But I have learnt some techniques to help me with this, and thank fully it hasn’t stopped me from doing what I love to do!

After going to uni for a lot of qualifications and a lot of bumps along the way, I have found my calling with the NHS, where look at a patient’s cancer and see how the DNA has changed, which can help doctors decide how to treat the patients

My working day is 8am until 5pm. I travel to work by an electric car and park just outside of the hospital, then I walk to the hospital.

A typical day as a clinical scientist in Cancer Genomics starts with meeting with the team to talk about the day’s work. We have to make sure that urgent patient samples are at the top of our list.

We like to check in with our technology staff to make sure they have everything they need to be able to do their job.

Scientists spend a lot of time at the computer analysing data after computers have finished looking at patient samples. It is our job to make sure the data is reliable, reproducible and accurate.

We also write reports to doctors to tell them the results of patient samples.

I tend to have a lunch break at 12pm for about 30minutes where my work friends and I catch-up about what has been on the TV.

In addition to data analysis and report writing, clinical scientists spend time trying to improve the service so that our patients receive the best possible care. This might be applying a new technique or asking for new equipment.

As I am a student, training to be a Clinical scientist, I have to spend a lot of time learning, so some weeks, I go to university, or go to other laboratories to learn.

I have to make sure I know about a lot of different types of cancer and how genetic testing can help doctors treat their patients.