Profile

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Becky Cook

Curriculum Vitae

  • Education:

    BA (Hons) – Natural Sciences (Pathology) at University of Cambridge. PhD – Institute of Cancer Research

  • Qualifications:

    BA (Hons), PhD

  • Work History:

    I carried my PhD at the Institute of Cancer Research

  • Current Job:

    Post-doctoral research at UCL Cancer Institute

  • Employer:

    University College London

  • My Work

    I grow cancer cells in dishes to learn about how they behave.

  • Read more

    I study a particular protein called Retinoblastoma Protein, in a large number of cancers this protein is turned off to allow cells to grow out of control. This means  in normal, healthy cells this protein protects you from getting cancer. My research has shown that this protein protects the DNA (genetic material) in a normal cell from becoming the bad type of DNA (mutated) that can lead to a tumour.

  • My Typical Day

    Check emails, feed my cells, analyse some data, set up or finish an experiment and finish the day with some reading of other scientists work.

  • Read more

    One of the best things about being a scientist is that I don’t really have a typical day! My days are very varied, I am mainly based in the lab doing experiments, in order to figure out how the protein I am interested in protects DNA. I also spend time reading, responding to emails and importantly talking to other scientist about my work. Talking about my research or other people’s research is a very important part of my job but also something I find extremely interesting.

  • My Interview

    • My favourite CHRISTMAS LECTURE memory is:

      I really enjoyed last years lectures on alchemy because Pete Wothers was my Chemisty lecturer at University so it was exciting to see someone I knew doing the lectures!

      How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

      Organised, intelligent and dependable.

      What's the best thing you've done in your career?

      Presenting my work in front of a nobel prize winner!

      What or who inspired you to follow your career?

      Two of my grandparents died of cancer before I was born and this inspired me to get involved in the fight against cancer.

      Were you ever in trouble at school?

      Not really. I once broke a clock playing with an inflatable ball in a classroom but luckily didnt get in any trouble.

      What is the most fun thing you've done?

      I went to a music festival in a zoo!

  • My profile link:
    https://ias.im/u.40511

My Answered Questions

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