Why did you choose to study at Newcastle University?
I chose to study biology because it was my favourite subject at school. The Biology degree programme at Newcastle seemed interesting and varied, and I liked that you could go down a more specialised route after first year. After attending an open day at Newcastle, it seemed like a fun place to be a student and a nice city to live in.
What did you love most about your time at Newcastle University?
Firstly, I loved the breadth of biology taught by lecturers who were genuinely passionate about their field. Secondly, it has to be the people. I built a network of like-minded friends from my course who are among my closest friends today, seven years after graduating.
What did you enjoy most about Newcastle as a city and your time at Newcastle University?
Newcastle is such a vibrant city. I really enjoyed exploring the arts/culture/music scene and there were always interesting events on and new bars and restaurants to try. Newcastle is a great place to learn and study but also a great place to have fun.
How do you feel your degree has helped you to get to where you are today?
Studying biology at Newcastle University gave me a great foundation and understanding in life sciences. Specialising in cellular & molecular biology allowed me to take a variety of modules, run by lecturers active in research, that really showcased how biological sciences can be used to tackle real world problems. The module on antimicrobial drug discovery really piqued my interest, and I went on to do a PhD at Cambridge in the same field.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
My role is varied and challenging, and I enjoy working at the cutting-edge of science and technology. Every day I learn new things, and I work with some amazing scientists all with the common goal of delivering new drugs to patients.
What piece of advice would you give to students interested in pursuing a similar career?
Make the most of any opportunities you get to meet and connect with people in the industry. Be bold and talk to people, ask questions and show your enthusiasm for the subject. Remember that there are lots of different routes into industry, explore all the options (i.e. taking a year in industry, graduate programmes, industry PhDs etc) and try and find the one that's right for you.
