We asked some of our students and graduates to share their experiences of studying in the School of Biosciences, and to tell us what they've ended up doing with their degree.
Louie spent the summer of his second year on the Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) scheme — a 6-8-week project that allows undergraduate students to conduct their own research. For this, Louie studied the evolution of ecological and morphological traits of hummingbirds, and got to work in the specimen collections of the Natural History Museum at Tring.
Charlotte Redfern
MBiolSci Biology (now Biological Sciences)
Charlotte chose to complete a Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) placement this summer to get a better idea of life in academia. By immersing herself in this opportunity, Charlotte was able to not only make the most of lab-based opportunities but also gain exposure to the research environment of the department as a whole.
Vishmi studied Biomedical Science with us as an undergraduate, where support from her tutors helped her to stay on at the university to study Medicine.
Bethany’s MBiomedSci year allowed her to be fully involved within the lab, working alongside academics and PhD students throughout her project which inspired her to pursue a career in scientific research.
Harindi Jayakody
MBiolSci Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology
Harindi chose to complete her 4th year project in industry, working as a Junior Scientist at molecular diagnostics company, Erba Molecular. This experience confirmed that a career in the biotech industry is the right path for Harindi.
Chris Buckley
MBiolSci Biology with a Year Abroad (now Biological Sciences)
Chris spent a year studying biology at Monash University in Melbourne. While there, he got first-hand experience studying the Australian ecosystem, travelled up Australia’s east coast, and spent his free time doing bungee jumps and skydives.
During her second year, Holly did a placement with Kirkstall, a Rotherham-based biotechnology company. This placement gave her insight into science outside of academia and helped secure her industry-funded studentship for her PhD at the University of Cambridge.
Olga Kondrashova
BSc Biology with Placement Year (now Biological Sciences)
Olga spent her placement year working at the Field Studies Council on the doorstep of Snowdonia in North Wales. During the year, Olga took part in biological surveys, conservation projects, outdoor education and adventure activities.
During her third-year project, Federica investigated the acclimation mechanisms in English ivy. This experience sharpened Federica's research and laboratory skills and she has since accepted a PhD position within the same lab here at Sheffield.
Chris’ MBiolSci in Zoology has given him the chance to get hands-on experience in an active research lab working alongside PhD students. It also gave him the opportunity to carry out his own research project while on a field trip in Wales.
