About you
What is your background?
I have a BSc in Human Biology, worked for 2 years in the States as a Research Technologist, worked for 2 years in Oxford as a Technical Services Advisor for Serotec, 3 months in forensic science before beginning my PhD in 2005.
What initially attracted you to your course?
I had a desire to study at a higher level so I chose to pursue a PhD.
Is your course full/part-time?
Full Time
Did you move a long way from home to do your course?
I relocated from Oxford in search of a PhD in Cardiff 6 months before commencing my course.
How many contact hours with your tutors do you have per week?
Half an hour sometimes less (I meet with my supervisor for arranged meetings once or twice a month, but we have impromptu discussions about where my research is heading and the next steps to take a few times a fortnight).
What other commitments do you have, how do you fit your studies in?
Family, friends, partner, gym. - with difficulty! The PhD takes up practically all my time.
What are the key issues facing people on your course?
Generating new and previously unpublished data
Coping with experiments failing more times than they work
Publishing data prior to thesis submission
Deciding what career to pursue
All of the above while writing up the thesis
What impact has technology had on your work?
A huge impact. I use a state of the art Confocal microscope on a daily basis. Without this technology my research would not be possible.
What are the best things and worst things about your course?
It really pushes you to your limits (both a good and a bad thing!)
What do you hope to do when your course finishes?
I hope to find a well-paid job that utilises my PhD (I didn't do all this work for nothing). I plan to move into industry as I don't wish to remain in academia.
Advice to others looking for a course
What attributes do you need to do your course?
Perseverance and determination.
What piece of advice do you wish someone had given you when you were first starting out?
Make spreadsheets for everything. Organise yourself in a strict manner from day one.
What are your three favourite or most useful websites?
www.wikipedia.org
www.facebook.com
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