Sophie Shaw. BSc (Hons), AHEA

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College: College of Life and Environmental Sciences
Discipline: Biosciences
Department: Microbes, Plants and Disease Research Group

In 2010 I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Exeter, obtaining a first class BSc Honours degree in Molecular Biology. This degree encompassed modules from varying areas of science including cell biology, cancer biology, ecotoxicology, immunology, organic chemistry and microbiology. Freedom of choice with these modules allowed me to pursue my personal interests of genetics, the cell cycle and diseases.

In my second year, I was awarded a summer studentship from the Genetics Society which allowed me to undertake a 10 week research project looking at proteins involved in DNA replication of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. I successfully managed to construct 22 strains using genetic techniques. These strains each contained two 'tagged' proteins. Aspects of this work were continued in my final year project, where I used these 'tagged' proteins to investigate protein interactions. Although this work was incredibly challenging, it sparked my passion for research and inspired me to undertake a PhD as well as providing me with the essential laboratory skills and techniques that I would need to do this.

Throughout my degree, I achieved consistently high grades being award the Dean's Commendation and School of Biosciences Molecular Biology Award for high performance in my first and second year. In my final year, I received the Society of Biology Top Student Award and the School of Biosciences Molecular Biology Award. The next step in my career was embarking upon a PhD at the University of Exeter. This is a BBSRC funded research project investigating the functional significance of differential allele expression in the yeast Candida albicans. For more information see the Research tab.

My personal interests still lie within genetics; the ever increasing complexity of this area and its role in differing phenotypes and diseases.

Outside of academia, I love music, fundraising for charity and exercise. I have now run the Cardiff Half Marathon three times and I am currently training to take part in this race again to beat my current time!I hope to one day achieve the ultimate running goal and run the London Marathon.