Profile

I have just completed my PhD, which involved a 3-year research project in cancer cell biology. I really enjoyed this project but I wanted to try something different, so I now work in the NHS in genetics.

Outside of work I love music. I love going to gigs and I play the violin, I played in big orchestras when I was at uni but I recently joined a small orchestra in my local area.

I also am a leader in Girlguiding – I run a Guides unit in Bristol, we meet every Monday night.

These all keep me super busy but in my spare time I’m a massive bookworm and I love a Netflix binge! I also try to get to the gym for a spin or pilates class when I can.

I’m on a program in the NHS called the Scientist Training Program (STP), which trains scientists in many different areas to help with the diagnosis and treatment of patients. My specialist area is Genetics, so I’m learning about genetic diseases, how we test for them and how we interpret the results of the tests.

Scientists are very important in the NHS, and are involved with the majority of patients seen in hospital, even if they never know it! If doctors think a patient may have a genetic condition, a sample will be sent to our lab for testing. Scientists will work out which test to do, perform the test, then work out the meaning of the results. They’ll then report the results back to the doctors looking after the patient, so they know more about their condition and how best to treat them. It may also be important to see whether any of the patient’s relatives may have the same condition.

We also do genetic testing for cancer patients, to work out more about the type of cancer a patient has, and what treatments are likely to work best for them.

As a trainee, my days at the genetics lab in the hospital can be very different. I have observed in the lab reception to see what kinds of samples from patients get sent to the lab. I watch a lot of lab work to learn about how different types of tests are set up and performed. I also shadow qualified clinical scientists writing up reports that describe the results of the tests performed back to the doctors who requested the test.

I also observe at meetings attended by many staff including scientists, doctors and other genetics specialists. This may be to discuss specific patients where the results may be unclear or more difficult to interpret. Discussion between all of these different professionals helps to reach an answer to diagnose the patient, and helps trainees like me learn about the process of genetics testing and diagnosing.

As part of my training, I am also completing a part time Master’s degree in Clinical Science. This involves attending lectures (currently online), making notes and writing assignments. As I am near the beginning of my training, this is currently my main focus. I am really looking forward to applying everything I am learning as I start to work more in the lab and in the clinical genetics department.