Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are the biggest killers out there in the developed world. I wanted a job that made a difference to people. It's a fantastic field to be in. Honestly, I didn't know what I wanted to do and I still don't have a solid plan for the future! All I know is that I like to know how things work. I loved biology in school and college. I knew I wanted to go to University as my primary school teachers had forseen my potential and I was the first one in my family to have such ambitions.

At school I was consistently a top student in the sciences, when I went to college I took biology, chemistry, maths and further maths. I got an A, B, C, C grade. My tutor at the time must have looked at what I was studying and added Biology + Chemistry and suggested I apply for biochemistry at University. Many applications later, I went to an open day at the University of Leeds and had an informal meeting with the module leader who was a fierce woman, yet kind and approachable. I hadn't appreciated who she was at the time and when asked why I wanted to come to Leeds I said something dumb: pro-tip: have a decent answer prepared in case you get asked this by anyone in an open day! Yet, it must not have been so dumb as I studied biochemistry with medical biochemistry at the University of Leeds for 3 years (it was the best experience of my life and cost be damned you should do it if you want to) and got my B.Sc (hons) with a first class grade and various awards for coming top of my cohort. I met my husband there too and made lifelong friends. I didn't know such a thing as a Ph.D. (post-honours degree) existed before being at University. I started my Ph.D. with a rocky start due to stressful working conditions. I quit and restarted with a new group in Pharmacology, where I studied pathology of and treatments for type 2 diabetes. 4 years later, I graduated in 2014 and I now hold a doctorate degree.

I had no role model in the scientific field growing up except for the teachers at secondary school who always encouraged me and praised my aptitude, for that, I will be forever grateful. My ultimate role model throughout my life is my Mum (I know I know, cliche, but it's cliche for a reason) who is the strongest person I know. My current role models in the scientific field come from the scientific communicators on YouTube on the SciShow channel-shout out to Hank Green and Olivia Gordon! Being in cardiovascular sciences helps me help others indirectly, by studying disease states and the mechanisms behind it. But also directly, by mentoring Ph.D. students and B.Sc. students.