Profile
Ciorsdaidh Watts
It's finale day!
My CV
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Education:
St Kentigern’s Academy (High School), University of Edinburgh (MChem), University of Cambridge (PhD).
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Qualifications:
MChem (with industrial experience University of Edinburgh), PhD (in medicinal chemistry University of Cambridge), PgCAP (educational teaching qualification)
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Work History:
Industrial placement AstraZeneca Discovery (2008), Post-doctoral researcher in medicinal chemistry (University of Cambridge), Post-doctoral researcher in viruses (University of Glasgow)
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Current Job:
University Lecturer in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry
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I’m 32 years old and live with my husband in Milngavie (just outside Glasgow). We live right next to the West Highland Way, where we love to go on walks and runs. I play the Celtic harp and sing with the Glasgow Choral Society. I’ve just finished watching the drama, Requiem…it’s terrifying and brilliant!
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I work as a lecturer in organic chemistry at the university of Glasgow. This involves teaching in lots of different ways to different people and always presents a new exciting challenge each day. I specialise in cancer research, which is an area that changes rapidly and where lots of scientific work is being done. Of course, everyday involves some exciting experiments…that sometimes go well!
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I discuss new teaching ideas with colleagues and specialists, focussing on using online technology in class. I teach lectures, small group tutorials, design exam questions (that I hope are interesting) and mark student work. I’m involved in the Chemistry Outreach Group at Glasgow and we go around schools and events giving chemistry demonstrations and getting people involved in experiments themselves. I also do research (in the time that’s left).
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What I'd do with the prize money:
School practical chemistry challenge
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Dynamic, inquisitive, open.
What did you want to be after you left school?
Find out more about the science of everyday, somehow...maybe by making and using new molecules, or maybe by carbon dating archaeological finds from ancient settlements.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I really enjoyed learning so I wasn't in trouble much...ok maybe once or twice for chatting too much ;)
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Regina Spektor. Look her up...she is brilliant! "Samson went back to bed, not much hair left on his head...he ate a slice of Wonderbread, and went right back to bed".
What's your favourite food?
A really hot chicken curry from our local take-away. It cannot be beaten!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
1) To live right by the ocean and still be able to do my work. 2) To make a medical breakthrough with my chemistry that would make a real difference. 3) To go into space (and come back).
Tell us a joke.
I asked my friend if she had any sodium hypobromite. She said NaBrO.
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