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Emma B

    • About Me:

      I’m Emma and I am a scientist, a trampoline gymnast, a paddleboarder and a book lover all at the same time!

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      I work as a scientist during the day, but at the weekends and in my evenings I enjoy lots of different sports (Trampolining, Paddleboarding, Horse riding and Swimming to list a few). I also really enjoy reading and doing some crafts, although they often don’t turn out very well. I live in Norfolk now, but am originally from Hertfordshire. I love how many beaches I can go to in Norfolk, and I love a cold sea dip but my friends rarely agree to join me!

    • My pronouns are:

      My pronouns are she/her.

    • How I use Science in my work:

      My work looks at how cancer spreads around the body using a specific part of cell instructions called RNA. RNA is similar to DNA, but is found in smaller pieces. If DNA is like the blueprints to make an an entire human being, animal or plant, RNA is one individual instruction on one individual page!

    • My Work:

      My work is looking at how cancer cells can spread around the body and cause more tumours. I work with samples of tumours and blood that have come from real humans!

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      Cancer cells can break off from a tumour that is growing in one place, travel around the body and make new tumours in different places. For example, a tumour that started in a leg bone might then grow in the lungs and other organs! This is what makes cancer patients so poorly and can mean that their medicines don’t work. My job is working out at how cancer cells can spread around the body and cause more tumours, so that we can make medicines to stop this from happening.

      I work with a type of cancer that is found in the bones, so I get sent samples by doctors when they treat patients with this cancer! Sometimes this means I have to smash the sample with a hammer because of how hard bones are!

       

      A female scientist wearing a labcoat is crouched on the floor with an orange hammer in one hand and a metal container in the other

      Smashing a bone sample by freezing it to -150 degrees and then smashing it with a hammer!

    • My Typical Day:

      My days are rarely the same but I always start with breakfast, do different experiments during the day and try to fit some sport in the evening!

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      I always wake up and watch some TV whilst eating my breakfast. Then I walk to the lab which is about 15 minutes from my house. I first start by checking on any cells that I am growing to make sure they have enough nutrients and space to continue growing. Then I do any experiments that I need to do in the morning. I have my lunch between my experiments, usually with some of my friends, then its back to the lab for more experiments. Some afternoons I also have computer work to do in my office, including looking at data from experiments, listening to lectures where other scientists tell me about their work, going to meetings, or teaching younger students. I go home at about 5pm, and usually do some sport before dinner, bed and start all over again!

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I have just designed and made a science themed board game for my local Science Festival, so maybe get some more copies of this made so I can share it with more people!

    CV

    • Education:

      I went to school in a town called Stevenage, where I grew up. My primary school was called Lodge Farm and my secondary school was called Nobel. I then went to university in Norfolk, and am still working at the same university now after nearly 8 years of studying there.

    • Qualifications:

      I have 10 GCSEs (English literature, English Language, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, RE, Food Tech and History).

      I have 3 A levels (Biology, Chemistry and Maths) and an AS level (Physics).

      I have my Bachelors degree (Pharmacology), Masters degree (Molecular Medicine) and have just finished my PhD too!

      I also have a few random qualifications that I have completed at different points including an algebra qualification, project management qualification, a certificate in photography and judging qualifications for Trampolining!

    • Work History:

      I have only worked as a scientist in my current job, but I previously have had summer jobs that involved looking after children both at a Primary School and a Holiday Club. I loved working at the Holiday Club as I was getting paid to build lego, have water fights and even go to the zoo! The children I looked after were so much fun, it was such a good summer job.

    • Current Job:

      I am a scientist at the University of East Anglia

    • Employer:

      The University of East Anglia

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Professional bone smasher

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        I had no idea! I wanted to be so many things at different times when I was at school including a teacher, a marine biologist, a doctor...

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Not very often, but sometimes for talking too much!

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Some sort of teaching

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Bastille

        What's your favourite food?

        Galaxy minstrels are my go to!

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        I wish I could draw better as I can barely draw a stick man. I wish I was more flexible as that would make trampolining easier. And I wish I had 8 arms like an octopus so I could do more experiments at the same time!

        Tell us a joke.

        How do you make a skeleton laugh out loud? Tickle its funny bone.