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Alicia Jia

    • About Me:

      Hi! I’m a research student at the University of Oxford. I’m from Vancouver, Canada, and when I’m not doing research I like to go to the movies with my friends, play video games, and travel.

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      When not in the lab, I also enjoy reading, going to art galleries and theaters, and watching stand-up comedy and football.

       

    • My pronouns are:

      She/her

    • My Work:

      I’m a PhD student in my third year studying genetics and the immune system. I research how your genetics can influence how ill you get.

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      The cells of your immune system protect your body from things that can make you ill, such as viruses (like COVID-19), and bacteria (like types of Streptococcus bacteria that cause strep throat). However, sometimes your immune system tries to protect you in a way that can actually make you more ill. So I’m studying people who are quite young and don’t suffer from other long-term health problems such as diabetes, but get so ill they must be admitted into the hospital. My research lab is interested in how these people’s DNA, which controls how your cells respond to everything, is different from people who don’t get ill. Understanding these differences can change how we treat certain illnesses in different people, and help us develop better drugs.

       

       

    • My Typical Day:

      I wake up, do some computational biology and coding, have lunch , and walk to the lab. I then work in the lab or in the office with other students until I go meet my friends for dinner around 5 PM.

       

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      I wake up and work on the supercomputer to process all the genetic data we have stored to try to find some interesting genetic changes. I have lunch in college, then go to the lab where I have lab meeting with the 12 other people in my lab. After 2 lab members have presented their progress and we’ve all asked our questions, I either go to the lab to do experiments with cells or go to my desk and work on some collaborative projects with other students in the lab. I leave the lab to meet and eat dinner with friends around 5 PM.

      Meet my lab at our yearly Christmas party:

    My CV

    • Education:

      Doctor of Philosophy | University of Oxford

      • DPhil in Clinical Medicine
      Master of Science | University of British Columbia

      • M.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology
      Bachelor of Science (Hons) | McGill University

      • Microbiology and Immunology

    • Qualifications:

      (I did all my education in Canada, so I don’t think I have anything from secondary school to include here)

      Undergraduate and Master’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology

    • Work History:

      Aside from research, I used to work as a background performer in film and TV.

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        novice genetic detective

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        Surgeon

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Yes, for not paying attention sometimes in class

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Probably electrician or some sort of mechanic (maybe airplanes).

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Maisie Peters

        What's your favourite food?

        Sushi

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        Unlimited money, good health for me and my friends and family, the ability to apparate (like in Harry Potter)

        Tell us a joke.

        What cell service providers do traveling nuns use? Virgin Mobile

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