Profile
Rachel Hardy
My CV
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Education:
The University of Manchester (2013-2017)
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Qualifications:
An undergraduate in Biomedical Sciences
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Work History:
Eisai Pharmaceutical Company, MRC Toxicology Unit
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Current Job:
PhD researcher at the MRC Toxicology Unit
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About Me:
A scientist who loves to have fun and explore the world
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I live in Leicester with my family. In my spare time, I like to explore new cities with my boyfriend and learn new things. I also love to travel, my latest adventure being Thailand where I snorkelled around lagoons, learnt to cook tasty Asian food, and washed/fed elephants! I enjoy exercising and regularly visit the gym.
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I work with drugs that are used to treat a selection of human diseases (focusing on those that affect the brain), and try to figure out how they cause side-effects in patients. To do this, I focus on the mitochondria- tiny ‘power-houses’ found within most cells of the body. These amazing structures provide us with the energy that we need to live. My research investigates whether some drugs produce toxic effects in patients because they damage these fascinating energy-making centres. The aim of my work is to help make safer medicines and improve the lives of patients worldwide – a goal that has always motivated me to work in the field of biomedical research.
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My Typical Day:
Giving drugs of interest to brain cells in a dish and fruit flies!
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I inject brain cells grown in a dish with my drugs of interest. I then measure how much energy the mitochondria in these cells can produce. I do this by adding a glowing liquid taken from fireflies to my cells. The more energy that is made, the more the cells glow. I then compare this between cells with no drug vs. cells given drugs. I also measure how quickly these mitochondria can make energy using a machine called a seahorse analyser. I then add my drugs of interest to fly food, to see if they cause have bad reactions in fruit flies (for example reducing the ability of flies to climb). A better understanding of how these drugs can damage mitochondria will lead to improved awareness of how brain cells are injured during toxic drug reactions.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would use the money to fund visits to various schools to teach them about the brain and mitochondria
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Fun, caring, hardworking
What did you want to be after you left school?
A scientist - I knew that I loved biology, but wasn't sure what kind of scientist I wanted to be yet
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Sometimes!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Rihanna
What's your favourite food?
Pizza - ham, pineapple and mushroom topping!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To be successful in my job, to have a happy family life with my boyfriend in the future, and to travel the world
Tell us a joke.
Why are ghosts bad liars? Because you can see right through them.
What don't you like about your current job?
Lots of experiments do not work and it can be stressful sometimes
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