Profile
Amy Worrall
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About Me:
I currently live in sunny Stoke-on-Trent, the home of Keele University!
When I’m not working on my research I’m up on stage singing in my band! I love music, movies, gaming, and walking my dog Molly!
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Though I currently live in Stoke-on-Trent, I originally come from the heart of the Black Country! Having been at Keele for both my undergraduate degree and now my PhD though, it really feels like home!
In my spare time I sing lead vocals in a local metal band! We formed back in 2020 and have worked really hard to get to where we are today- playing shows across the country!
I love music, movies, gaming, and walking my dog Molly- an adorable 10-month old Irish setter-mini poodle crossbreed!!
My favourite music genre is rock!
My favourite movies are comedies!
My favourite games are spooky ones!
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I specialise in age-related hearing loss research. Specifically, I work on monitoring the health of inner-ear support cells using a technique called SIFT-MS.
This is a culture of a type of inner ear support cell known as fibrocytes. We keep them alive in plastic flasks and provide them with nutrients using specialised liquid food known as media.
SIFT-MS (selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry) is essentially a huge metal nose! It takes the gases released by cells and tells us what compounds make them up. This can tell us a lot about cells and their health!
Using this technique, I hope to detect pre-symptomatic inner ear damage (that’s cellular damage that we can’t detect with hearing tests). By doing this, cell replacements and other therapies are improved- the sooner we intervene the better the results!
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My Typical Day:
A typical day for me starts with a wake-up call from my dog! After that is a huge cup of tea and some breakfast before heading into the lab to conduct experiments. I have lunch with friends from work before heading back to the lab in the afternoon to finish off experiments and take a look at my results!
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After I get up and have breakfast, I walk to the lab (I’m lucky enough to live just 5 minutes away)!
At the lab I maintain cells, run experiments and act on several committees to help run the department I work in!
I often have lunch with friends from work- they join me in taking Molly for her lunchtime walk around the neighborhood!
I head back to the lab in the afternoon to finish off experiments and take a look at my results! My experiments put out a lot of big data, so it’s really fun to dig through and find something interesting- I almost feel like a detective!
As a PhD student I don’t have a set schedule, but I aim to work 9am to 5pm. If I want to finish earlier, I start earlier- the flexibility is great!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d spend it on resources for my dream outreach activity, of course!
I want to set up a day for school students here at Keele University where they can get involved in the specifics of science and explore new interests- not just general biology, chemistry and physics. Ideally, the day would be split into sections and students could choose what they wanted to try out- anything from neuroscience to forensics to astrophysics!
Giving students the opportunity to explore different sciences sooner rather than later would encourage and empower them to make informed choices about their educations and take control of their futures!
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Education:
Primary School: Havergal C of E Primary School
High School: Wolverhampton Girls’ High School
Sixth form: Wolverhampton Girls’ High School
University: Keele University- Undergraduate degree- Neuroscience with Psychology
University: Keele University- PhD (current)- Cell and Tissue Engineering
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Qualifications:
Education:
- GCSE’s: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Geography, German, Fine Art and Graphic Design. (A*-A)
- A levels: Biology, Mathematics and Physics with Chemistry at AS level. (A-C)
- BSc Hons Neuroscience with Psychology: First Class
- PhD Cell and Tissue Engineering: Ongoing
Other:
- Shotokan Karate Instructor with 1st Dan Grade
- Grade 8 Theatre and Performing Arts
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Work History:
While I was in School:
- Volunteered at Acorns Children’s Hospice.
- Worked at Hollybush Garden Centre and Aquaria.
While I was doing my undergraduate degree:
- Worked at Maplin Electronics.
- Worked as a freelance graphic designer and social media, marketing and research consultant.
While doing my PhD:
- I still work as a freelance graphic designer and social media, marketing and research consultant.
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Current Job:
Final year PhD student at Keele University, as well as a freelance graphic designer and social media, marketing and research consultant!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Sniffs out disease!
What did you want to be after you left school?
Originally, I wanted to work in animation!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes, but I won't say why in case anyone gets any ideas!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Amaranthe...or maybe Bring Me the Horizon!
What's your favourite food?
Burritos!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
If I was being selfish I think I'd go for: 1) For dogs to live as long as people do! 2) For my band to play at Download! 3) For my research to change the world!
Tell us a joke.
What do biologists post on Instagram? Cell-fies!
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