UCL FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

To say I enjoyed my time at UCL is an understatement. Not only was the science I experienced first rate but the department has a fantastic ethos where everyone knows everyone else. It is in this environment that I felt it possible to develop my own confidence, on both a scientific and personal level.

In my second year I seized the opportunity to undertake a Summer Studentship: Investigating the effects of food restriction upon the longevity, behaviour and pre-adult development in the Mediterranean fruitfly, Ceratitis capitata (supervisor Dr. Tracey Chapman). This challenging project gave first hand experience of research and I would recommend these projects the department offers to anyone considering continuing in research; it certainly stood me in good stead for gaining a PhD.

My third year project was to investigate the extraordinary male-killing bacterium Spiroplasma in the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster. I studied the cost of infection to the fly, and implications for bacterial prevalence (supervisor Dr. Greg Hurst). Once again, the UCL biology department provided me with the facilities and environment to undertake this demanding and rewarding project.

Furthermore, it was the combination of work on plant ecophysiology in the department and on the suggestion of my third year project supervisor that I was inspired to undertake my PhD. My four-year BBSRC funded PhD at The University of Birmingham is entitled: "Rapid cold-hardening abilities in insecticide-susceptible and resistant clones of the aphid Myzus persicae." This insect is a significant agricultural pest, where survival during winter frosts is a major regulator of spring populations, which can attack crops.

All in all UCL has given me a lifetime of happy memories and gave me an excellent grounding upon which I can base my future career in science.

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