June 2016 to August 2016
BBSRC Funded Research Experience Placement
Awarded £2500 funding from the BBSRC to conduct a research experience placement within the Hidalgo lab at the University of Birmingham for 8 weeks. My project focused on utilising Drosophila to determine the location of a gene which interacts with the transcription factor Prospero.
Skills
Developed new lab skills including genetic crossing, adult and L3 larvae brain dissections, survival assays, and adult and L3 larvae locomotion behavioural studies.
Analytical and Critical Thinking – Developed data analysis skills and determined links between different sets of data to come to conclusions for each genotype.
Organisation, Planning and Flexibility – Planned and revised daily schedule regularly to ensure experiments could be completed by the end of the project as well as data analysis.
Summer 2014 and 2015
NCS with the Challenge
Between August to October 2015 I took on the role of Community Facilitator, which is responsible for delivering the NCS Real Challenge curriculum and providing pastoral support to a team of twelve young people. I ensured the team designed and delivered a successful social action campaign and community project for a local charity, which would aid the charity and increase the interaction of young people with their local community. I also provided a support role to other community facilitators whilst acting as a volunteer from September to October 2014.
Skills
Leadership – Led and facilitated the Real Challenge curriculum to two groups of twelve young people.
Teamwork – Allied with Community Facilitators and Senior Mentors to deliver the curriculum.
Initiative and Flexibility – Used initiative to change delivery to motivate the group.
Ethical Awareness – Engaged with different local charities such Saint Chad’s Sanctuary, Upcycle Birmingham, and Help Harry Help Others.
Creativity – Developed a range of ideas with teams in order to plan and develop a campaign.