Profile
Sian Richardson
My CV
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Education:
A-level: Maths, Chemistry and Biology. Undergrad: Molecular Medicine, Masters: Clinical Sciences, PhD: Antioxidants and ageing
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Qualifications:
Fermentation, Microbiology, GMP, aseptic techniques
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Work History:
Food industry and Pharmaceutical drug development
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Current Job:
Upstream Scientist
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About Me:
I am a Upstream Scientist, designing medicines of the future
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I live in North Wales, with my partner, dog and 3 chicken. I bought my first house last summer and have spent the last 6 months renovating it which has been challenging but extremely rewarding. I hobbies include cycling, crafts and gardening. I have done a number of cycling events to raise money for charity the biggest was cycling London to Paris were I raised over £2000 for the MS Trust. Last year was a tough year for me as I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis which is an autoimmune disease which caused inflammation of my joints. Luckily I was diagnosed quickly and treatment which meant I was unable to participate in my favourite hobbies once again.
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I currently work for the pharmaceutical company Ipsen, Wrexham, North Wales in the research and development group, designing and manufacturing new drugs. We make a product similar to Botox which is used for cosmetic but also therapeutic – people with muscle disorders. Botox (Botulinum toxin – scientific name) is a highly potent neurotoxin, 1 grain of sand of this toxin is enough to kill 4 people. Therefore, we have to be very careful in how we manufacture large quantities of our product, working in isolators protects us from the product.
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Firstly we plan our experiments, examine our current data and make decisions how to processed. Setting up the equipment, making media and buffers ready for the experiment. We culture E.coli in our lab, we grow these cells in something called a bioreactor which is a sterile vessel in which we can control variables like temperature, pH and oxygen. E.coli double every 20 mins therefore the environment in which they grow is rapidly changing compared with mammalian cells which can take a couple of days to double. The whole process can take just over 24 hours therefore on some occasions we need to monitor the culture round the clock, so we work shifts early, late and night in order to make changes to the process as its running.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Stem group at work, so we can have more work experiences days for students
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Happy, Motivated, stubborn
What did you want to be after you left school?
Doctor
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Hope and Social
What's your favourite food?
Chinese dumplings
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To be able to sing, travel and have an alpaca
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