Emma Batchen’s placement at LifeScan Scotland Ltd
| Nuffield Research Placement student, 2009
LifeScan Scotland Ltd Assessment of a novel FAD-GDH enzymes for use in a home blood glucose test strip |
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My project was entitled: ‘Assessment of a novel FAD-GDH enzymes for use in a home blood glucose test strip’. This project involved investigating the use of a new enzyme in glucose test strips that diabetics use to measure their blood sugar levels. Measuring blood sugar levels is important for diabetics to determine whether they need to inject insulin if their blood sugar levels are too high, to allow for blood sugar to be absorbed into the body cells, or, if blood sugar levels are too low, this is an indicator to each or drink something sugary to allow blood sugar levels to return to normal. I was testing to see if a more sensitive enzyme could be developed in the test strip to allow for more accurate readings to be given to the diabetic individual.
What was the highlight/best bit of your placement?
The experience of working in a real-life laboratory alongside scientists.
Science is always evolving – no day is the same. It allows you to study all the unanswered questions in the world and really is such a rewarding career path. You really do feel like you’re making a difference to people’s lives when you get involved in scientific research. Plus, you get to travel and meet leading scientists around the world!”Emma Batchen
What was your least favourite part of the placement?
None – every experience was a valuable lesson and an insight into how science works in industry.
What is your current role? If you are currently studying, what course are you doing?
Currently in the second year of my PhD in Cardiovascular Sciences at The University of Edinburgh. I am investigating the effects of giving antenatal glucocorticoid treatment to pregnant individuals to see whether this can help mature the heart in babies at risk of pre-term birth.
What path did you take after finishing your NRP and how has that led you to where you are today?
After finishing my placement, I was accepted at The University of Edinburgh to study Medical Sciences as my undergraduate degree. I then went on to continue my studies through a postgraduate Master’s degree in Cardiovascular Sciences. I am now in the second year of my PhD, also in Cardiovascular Sciences, at The University of Edinburgh, and will hopefully graduate as a doctor in 2017/18.
My NRP gave me valuable lab experience, without which I feel I would not have been given the opportunity to undertake further study after my undergraduate degree. This was a valuable placement that allowed me to communicate my scientific research in interviews and displayed an initiative and drive to want to learn more about science.
Did your Nuffield Research Placement have an effect on the choices that you made after finishing school/college/university?
It solidified the fact that I definitely wanted to study science – with an emphasis on carrying out research as a career.
If you could give one piece of advice to Nuffield students about to start a placement, what would it be?
Get involved in everything and anything you can – you will learn something (either good or bad) and gain valuable experience from everything you do!
What would your advice be to young people thinking about a career in STEM?
Do it! I can only speak for science but it is a fantastic area to be involved in. Science is always evolving – no day is the same. It allows you to study all the unanswered questions in the world and really is such a rewarding career path. You really do feel like you’re making a difference to people’s lives when you get involved in scientific research. Plus, you get to travel and meet leading scientists around the world!
Did you stay in touch with your supervisor? If so, please give details e.g. if you ended up going back to do some more research with them or ended up doing a PhD with them.
I did for a couple of years after placement but unfortunately with busy work lives and people moving positions I’ve lost touch with my supervisor. It would be great to catch up soon though as she was a fantastic supervisor and taught me a lot.
I did return to the company the following summer to work before going to University and was working with a different team. I did regularly meet with my previous work colleague as part of NRP at that time. The NRP was therefore also valuable in being able to provide me with work the year after my placement as the company knew me and were happy for me to come back to work with them.
