Profile
Samantha Hughes
My CV
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Education:
I went to Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester, Dorset and then Cardiff University for my degree. I did my PhD at Cardiff University and Kings College London.
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Qualifications:
I have GCSEs, A-levels, a degree in Biochemistry and a PhD.
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Work History:
Apart from Saturday jobs in various places I now work at Oxford University as a Postdoctoral research associate in Dr Alison Woollard’s lab
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Current Job:
At the moment I am investigating how cells proliferate (make more of themselves) or differentate (become specalised), with a particular interest in how this relates to cancer
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Read more
These are some plates of worms and the tool we use to pick up the worms!
The incubator where the worms live… -
My Typical Day:
I might start my day desiging and making a new bit of DNA and then after lunch I will inject that DNA into my worms!
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Read more
My day starts at 7am and I finish when all my work is complete – but each day is different. Every day I check my worms are happy and well fed but after that I might cut up and stick together bits of DNA. I would inject the DNA into worms (using a big microscope and a joystick like on a computer game). Sometimes this goes well and sometimes if you inject too much DNA, you might blow up the worms! Some days I might look at stem cells under a microscope powered by a laser. Or, I might have presentations to prepare for and I always have a stack of papers to read! Of course, there is always time for coffee and cake.
This is the injection set-up
Me loading some DNA (coloured blue) into an agarose gel
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Responsible, efficient, determined
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No. Ok, maybe just once or twice….
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