Profile
Michaela Livingstone
From wednesday I'll be at GLASTONBURY! Through the magic of technology I will still be able to answer your questions, but really sorry to be missing the live chats :(
My CV
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Education:
1998-2004 – Harlaw Academy, Aberdeen
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Qualifications:
2004-present – University of Sheffield, BSc Genetics (’04-’07), PhD (07-present)
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Work History:
Aberdeen Airport, Barratts Shoes, B&Q, Kier Sheffield – all summer jobs at various times.
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Current Job:
PhD Student.
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Hey! My name is Michaela, I’m 23 year old PhD Student in the University of Sheffield’s department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, where I also did my Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics.I work in a lab doing research to try and figure out how genes get switched on and off in the human body. Genes are the blueprint for proteins which carry out loads of functions in the body, like enzymes that digest your food, heamoglobin that carries oxygen around the body and structural things like collagen that supports your skin! So proteins are very important to make sure your body works. Each protein is encoded by a gene, and when that gene is switched on it is first copied in to a message. This happens in the central hub of the cell – the nucleus. Unfortunately proteins are made in the gooey bit outside the nucleus – the cytoplasm, so the gene’s message needs to get out of the nucleus before it can be copied in to a protein. This process of getting out of the nucleus is called export, and is what I work on.
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My Typical Day:
I start work at 9:30am every day, or earlier if need be, then work until I’m done, with music and coffee included wherever possible 🙂
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I start work at 9:30 every day and work for however long I need to, though I usually miss out having too many breaks, or take too long for lunch so that I can finish around 5 or 6pm. I do love going for a coffee and a natter with my friends whenever I can though.
The first thing I usually do is get out my iPod and choose something to listen to, can’t work without music! Next, to the freezer to get out any reagents I need and let them thaw, or prepare anything I might need. I then get to work. The nature of my work means that most of the time I can be doing a few things at once – while one thing is left incubating, I can get on with something else.
I’m also involved with a science communication group that organises events and such like, so sometimes I need to make time to nip out to meetings or prepare publicity materials.
When I get home, it’s time to kick back and relax with a favourite TV program and a cup of tea, watch a movie or hang out with my friends, which a lot of the time involves watching movies or playing games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero! -
What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d donate the money to the science communication group I’m involved with so they can help get more people interested and excited about science!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Lively, open-minded and curious.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not massively, only really for talking too much.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
I have a very eclectic taste in music, metal to electronica, so Massive Attack and Machine Head are my favourite bands, but right now I’m listening to a lot of the bands on the Glastonbury line-up to get revved up for that :)
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I’d love to have my own zoo full of animals! I’d like to be sent every new smart phone to play around with and to have a really interesting job to go in to when I finish my PhD.
Tell us a joke.
Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the world together.
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