Profile
Simone Girdham
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About Me:
I live near Leeds on a canal boat. I love to take my dog for walks along the canal, and photograph nature. I choose to work nights so that I have more time to spend outdoors and volunteer in activities such as this.
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I love new challenges and learning new things.
Whether that is walking 50km in a day, wild water rafting, or abseiling down a 12-floor building. I enjoy going to lectures, listening to webinars, and reading.
Like many scientists, I have a creative side and enjoy photographing my dog and nature, and both together!
I love to travel, particularly to experience interesting things such as the carnival in Venice, Italy (where my photograph was taken).
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My Work:
I am a biomedical scientist and I work in a Microbiology laboratory. I test samples from people and diagnose infections.
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Micro biology = study of very small organisms (or bugs)
I work as part of a team that works 24/7.
We receive all sorts of samples – from swabs to heart valves.
We think about what might be causing the person’s symptoms and then try and grow the bug. Sometimes we can’t grow the bug, or sometimes it takes too long and so we look for its presence (ie DNA or RNA).
We also look at how the body is responding by testing blood.
We are a diverse group of people, with different beliefs, faiths and backgrounds.
We are an inclusive team and like to work with people who have different knowledge, skills and abilities.
I have worked with people from all around the world.
I have worked with many people who identify as LGBTQ+.
I have worked with people who have a disability and/or are living with a chronic condition. There are people who are neurodiverse, deaf, colour blind, use walking aids, dyslexia, epileptic that work in labs.
Everyone is unique and it’s more important that you are kind, friendly, helpful.
You don’t have to go to university to be part of my team and apprenticeships are available.
Further info https://www.ibms.org
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My Typical Day:
I prefer to work night shifts, in a diagnostic laboratory situated in a hospital.
I process urgent samples (urgent because the result will have an immediate impact on the treatment the patient will receive).
I work long hours, but don’t need much sleep and so I have more days off to do what I want.
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I process samples that are urgent from very sick people who have come to the hospital for help.
I receive samples all through the night. Types of samples include urine, cerebrospinal fluid, joint aspirates, brain abscess and heart valves.
I use machines, called analysers, to detect different things, such as whether there are bugs present in someone’s blood.
I also use a microscope to look for things.
The best bit about my job is knowing that you are part of a bigger team caring for patients.
The second best is all the fun things you get to do in the lab and the interesting organisms you diagnose.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would use the money to come and visit your school and have some fun with an experiment.
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Education:
I went to school in Australia – four primary schools and then secondary, college and university.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at university so took a gap year, after my first year and then changed courses and moved location.
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Qualifications:
I gained the equivalent of A levels in Australia.
Bachelor of Applied Science – in Medical Laboratory Science.
Masters in Health Care Management (UK).
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Work History:
In my gap year I worked for a large insurance company.
I then went part-time to university, whilst working at McDonalds.
After university, I worked in a lab in my local hospital in a temporary position and then traveled to the UK on a holiday-working visa.
Due to the travel, I have worked in many labs, hospitality/agriculture industries and also office jobs.
I have worked as both a research and diagnostic scientist in hospital labs. I am passionate about STEM, reducing sepsis numbers and raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance.
I have worked in other roles in hospitals as well, such as quality improvement, staff engagement/facilitation, organisational development.
I now work in a lab, but also I work in a legal setting (for my regulator, the HCPC) and volunteer with training others.
My career is not linear – I am a career portfolioist. I enjoy working multiple jobs in multiple settings.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Caring, Sharing, Daring
What did you want to be after you left school?
I wasn't sure
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not in school, but outside :)
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Be a marine biologist and/or a pilot (why not both?!) and in my free time a rally driver!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Girl in Red, Joy Crookes, Berwyn, Years and Years, Biffy Clyro
What's your favourite food?
Chocolate - more valuable than gold in a lab
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
be more confident, be able to sing and keep my dog forever
Tell us a joke.
Why are microbiologists always so happy? Because they look at the little things in life
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