Biography
Back in 2006, I began my Napier career with a BSc in Forensic Biology, before moving on to a Masters by Research Degree in 2011, specialising in Glycobiology, specifically the alterations of Alpha-1-Acid Glycoprotein in response to physical injury. During this time, I was employed as a Laboratory Demonstrator, gaining a new appreciation for the effort that goes into the practical classes from the perspective of the Academics and the Technicians. Over time, this lead to more as a Laboratory Technical Assistant within Napier’s Microbiology section. Here, I gained experience in general housekeeping of the laboratory areas, building upon the microbiology experience that I had accrued during my undergraduate degree, such as plasmid insertion and PCR, gaining experience in forward planning and preparation of class materials in advance; along with an appreciation of the flexibility that can come in the needs of an undergraduate laboratory. From this role, I was able to move up to my current role as a Laboratory Technician within Napier’s Biomedical Science section. Here, I liaise with the Academics and the Senior Technician to develop and test protocols for new practical classes, make up the materials necessary for these classes, and to set out before a class and remove these materials in a safe manner once class is complete. I am also interested in learning new techniques and maintaining practice with older techniques; in this role, I have gained experience using the Comparison Microscope, and some histological techniques, while keeping up to date with the HPLC of which I had used during my Masters. Furthermore, I like being involved in the classes we support, demonstrating techniques and equipment to students, while also being available for enquiries from Honours and Masters Project students, due to my experience as a student at Napier myself.