UCL FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

During my time at UCL, I was never quite convinced that academia was for me. The one thing I knew for sure was that I loved science, and this was reinforced by enthusiastic tutors.

After my degree, in a bid to move away from lab science, I started working in Prof Sue Povey's Gene Nomenclature group in UCL's genetics department. UCL is a world-class research centre, but I was given just as much encouragement when I chose to move away from research. Whether I continue in scientific editing, or move into another facet of science, I got a good headstart at UCL.

Current position (since January 2003): Assistant Editor at the top medical journal in this country, The Lancet. My job is to edit scientific articles, written by doctors and researchers, and to translate specialist medical jargon into easily readable English, without losing scientific accuracy. As well as editing, I write news stories.

Working for a weekly journal means that I am always on my toes, the only breather being on a Thursday night after we've have gone to press!

2001-2002: MSc in Science Communication, Imperial College, London.  During my year, I made radio packages, wrote for the student newspaper, and experimented with TV cameras. I did two work placements, one for Radio 4 at the BBC, and the other for The Lancet, which led to my current job.

1999-2001: HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee.  As an editorial assistant, I was able to name some genes, find out about bioinformatics and gene databases, and learn a lot about discretion and diplomacy needed in liaising with scientists as authors.

1995-1998: BSc in Human Genetics, UCL

• To next graduate...

• Return to alumni page