Profile
Liz Barron-Majerik
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About Me:
I always loved plants (their beautiful diversity and use in medicine) and was very jealous that my mum seemed to know all their names. So I studied all the sciences at school, then went to Edinburgh to study Botany (called plant science these days).
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Later I did a PhD during which I essentially tortured Arnica plants, to see if they produced more key chemicals when they were stressed (they did). I then took the next logical step and became a lecturer and manager in a college, though I tried not to stress the students or staff too much…
I am still terrible at names though.
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My pronouns are:
She, her
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My Work:
I work for Lantra, where we work to help make sure that when people are considering careers, that they know about all the nature based options, that our businesses know how to find the best people, and that all the courses suit the needs of the sector.
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If you think it is hard deciding what you want to do when you leave school, it is even harder to know how best to communicate all the opportunities within the land and nature based sectors, particularly when you are competing against forensic science TV shows and you tube influencers who aren’t always telling you how things really are! So now I am researching how best to attract folk to a sector that is much more fulfilling, fun and useful! And (mostly) involves less blood and gore.
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My Typical Day:
I don’t work in the field or lab any more – sometimes I am travelling about the country for meetings or to support career fairs, other days I am writing reports or researching how best to deliver skills. That doesn’t sound very exciting, but it can be – trust me! And every day I use the skills I developed as a scientist – critical thinking, communication and patience!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Ooo – whilst I would happily spend the full £500 on my favourite Danish liquorice, I think it would have to be on taking some ridiculously impractical farming or forestry machinery to a school career event.
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Education:
I went to Nairn Academy and got a decent set of Highers (including the three sciences), then University of Edinburgh to study Botany. (It changed its name to Plant Science part way through the course). First year at Uni is very similar for every scientist though – Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, Science and Society, Genetics etc… only specialises in later years.
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Qualifications:
7 standard Grades, 6 highers and 2 Certificates of Year studies. All different now of course! Then a degree in Plant Science, then a PhD in Agrochemistry.
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Work History:
Babysitter – for friends and family
Sales assistant – bookshop, deli, supermarket, TV repair shop…
Scientist – Residue Lab – the least fun sounding of all the labs.
Lecturer – Inverness UHI
Manager – Inverness UHI
Now at Lantra!
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Current Job:
Scotland Director for Lantra
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Employer:
Lantra https://www.scotland.lantra.co.uk/
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Natural Problem Solver
What did you want to be after you left school?
Plant Scientist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes, but really not very often
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Writer or artist
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Really don't have just the one - depends on the day!
What's your favourite food?
Danish Liquorice
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
1) Healthy family and friends 2) To have more time for hobbies 3) To have hobbies that I was actually good at.
Tell us a joke.
Why did Gregor Mendel fail handwriting? He kept crossing his peas.
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