The opportunities I now have from this degree are innumerable

Following graduation from the University of Sheffield in Biochemistry, I wanted to transition to clinical genetics as a career. I had previously taken part in an NHS placement through the Julia Garnham Centre (JGC), where I learnt how to interpret DNA variants and karyotype haematological malignancies. I chose to do an MSc in Human and Molecular Genetics to further hone my analytical skills in the JGC, and push myself further than I ever imagined. 

I gained mentorship from Dr Adam Hodgson, and had the privilege of working alongside NHS Clinical Scientists in my work. I have provided genuine clinical impact for patients with rare diseases, and resolved variants of uncertain significance (VUS) through comprehensive reclassification. I truly believe this experience is unlike any other in academia.

The MSc Human and Molecular Genetics provides extensive laboratory training, something which I had very little experience of going into this degree. The guidance from Dr David Turton, alongside the supportive learning environment from my cohort peers, made getting out of my comfort zone much easier. 

I developed competence in techniques such as qPCR, FISH, and human cell culture, while designing a research project to test for nonsense-mediated decay. I had the chance to present my work through a viva voce and poster presentation conference, gaining a real sense of ownership and pride in my research. 

The independence, resilience, and research skills from this MSc are highly transferable skills for any career, and my CV has likely tripled in size since I enrolled. The opportunities I now have from this degree are innumerable, and I look forward to seeing where this MSc takes me.