Profile
Fern Johnson
My CV
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Education:
Newbridge School (2005-2010), Crosskeys College (2010-2012), University of Oxford (2012-2015), University of Manchester (2016-2017) (2018-
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Qualifications:
MSc in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, BA in Biological Sciencs, A*AAB A levels (Biology Chemistry English Lit German)
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Work History:
My first full time job was for the charity Marie Curie, who provide palliative care (care for people who are dying). My job was phone based, giving out details of nurse visits to patients or their family, and giving patient details to nurses before their visits. It really gave me a perspective into what it is like to be or care for a terminally ill person, and how much difference care could make. Particularly, that even someone being the scenes is really important in making all this happen. After my MSc I worked for two IT consultancy firms, helping large companies use their data well – this exposed me to useful skills like accessing large databases, and I enjoyed the technical and problem solving aspects of this work. But it definitely wasn’t as fulfilling as working in healthcare, and the lack of science wasn’t as interesting.
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Current Job:
Trainee Clinical Scientist in Bioinformatics (Genomics)
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About Me:
Wales born, Manchester based, I like nerd stuff like books and games (and promoting STEM of course)
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I’m 25 and live in Manchester with my boyfriend and two cats (one of them is just called Cat). I grew up in Newbridge in South Wales. I can’t speak Welsh very well but I religiously watch the Welsh TV programme Pobol y Cwm (with subtitles on). I’m obsessed with sausage dogs and own way too much stuff with sausage dogs in.
In my spare time I like watching TV or films and going for walks. I dabble in baking as well and can do a mean vegan chocolate chip cookie. I also enjoy gaming on my Switch, I like really story driven adventure or exploration games – because I’m really bad at anything intense where you run around shooting things.
Since I went to university (nearly 7 years ago now) I’ve tried to keep involved in outreach for STEM and/or higher education. I was the first person in my family to go to university and the first to get involved with science, and now work in a niche area that isn’t well known, so I’m very enthusiastic about encouraging young people to think about STEM careers.
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To make everything else make sense, first some definitions:
Genomics
Genomics is the study of genes and their functions (as defined by the World Health Organization). Genes are like the blueprint of a person, and make us who we are. We inherit half our genes from our mum and half from our dad, which is why we look a bit like our parents. Sometimes genes get mutations, which can stops them working properly and make us ill. Faulty genes can be passed down generations in families. In the NHS, genomic testing is used to help diagnose disease by looking for mutations within genes that we know can involved in a particular disease.
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is the science of collecting and analysing complex biological data such as genetic codes (according to Google, but it’s a good definition). Bioinformatics is a very broad field that can cover almost anything involving both biology and computing, but in genomics it’s focused on processing the complex data genetic testing produces, so that genetic scientists can understand the results of the tests, and report them back to the patient’s doctor. It’s very important that the results are processed correctly, as they could mean that a patient is diagnosed with a specific disease and need special treatment for it, or that their children might inherit this disease.
My Work
I’m a trainee clinical scientist in bioinformatics, specializing in genomics. I’m on the first year of a three training programme, during which time I complete a work-based portfolio , and a part-time master’s, with the aim of becoming a registered clinical scientist in bioinformatics. Bioinformaticians spend almost of their time on computers, running computer programs that translates the genetic testing results into useful information for other clinical scientists scientists, writing new computer programs that allow different genes to be tested or to make current testing better, building databases, researching new tools that might improve the current service, and much more.
Bioinformaticians are just one part of the genetic testing service – clinical scientists in genetics are responsible for arranging patient testing and interpreting the test results, and genetic counselors talk directly to patients about genetic testing, helping them understand the impact of testing, and what their test results mean. There are also technologists who do all the lab work as part of the testing, and doctors and nurses who specialize in genetic diseases. Everyone plays an important part in running a genetics testing service.
I some of my time attending tutorials and having teaching, but a lot of my work is structured into projects, that give me useful skills for the future and tick off my competencies. Not all my projects are directly related to genomics or bioinformatics, but it’s important for a scientist in the NHS to have an appreciation of the health service and the wider issues that surround it.
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My Typical Day:
Working on different projects, writing computer programs, attending team meetings, solving problems, reading papers, writing up for my portfolio…
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My day as a trainee can vary quite a lot depending on which rotation placement I’m doing, or whether I’m at university, or taking a study day. I take one study day a week so that I have time to work on my master’s assignments or revise for upcoming exams, and occasionally I attend university like a regular student, though I don’t have anymore university until November.
Usually I’m working on one or more projects at a given time. This could be working on a simple computer program, or going through an old program that someone else wrote that needs to be updated. It’s easy to spend a lot of time stuck on one problem, and a lot of time on the internet trying to see if anyone else has already solved it. It is very satisfying when you solve the problem and get something working! I’m lucky to be in a department where there is an established team of experienced bioinformaticians who can help me.
If I get stuck with something, or reach a natural place to stop, I’ll switch to something else – I get bored doing the same thing all day and get to manage my own time largely. Trainees are regularly expected to present scientific papers at meetings, along with other staff in the department. It takes time to find an interesting paper, then build a presentation about it. Ideally the paper should be about a new technique or approach that we could start doing in our department. Part of a clinical scientist’s job is to translate ideas from scientific research into new tests in the lab, so we can provide a better service for patients.
I go to bioinformatics team meetings. There is normally at least one of these a week, where everyone discusses how the daily service is running, or how their new projects are going. If it’s relevant I can update the rest of the team on how my projects are going. I don’t always understand everything said in meetings, but it’s important for me to go to know about the bioinformaticians are working on.
I also attend tutorial sessions – qualified clinical scientists in the department spend some of their time teaching trainees like me. This might be about a certain technique or service in the lab, like the cystic fibrosis testing service.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d spend it on outreach resources that the genetics department can use for events
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Enthusiastic, Curious, Reliable
What did you want to be after you left school?
I didn't know! I wanted to be a doctor for a while but ended up doing a Biology degree because I liked the subject. I got to work in the NHS in the end though so things worked out quite well I think.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Nope! I maybe had a couple of detentions for silly stuff for forgetting my work or writing in the wrong exercise book. I was very shy and hated the idea of being in trouble.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
The Divine Comedy
What's your favourite food?
I like all kinds of food but you really can't beat a nice pizza
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To finish my training and quality as a clinical scientist without any problems! I hope this happens anyway, but I'm sure there will be problems, that is the life of a scientist. I wish I could become an amazing programmer, it would make parts of my job easier! I have some programming experience but have a lot to learn. I wish that people had a better understand of genetics and the good that is happening in this area - in the news it's always the controversial science that gets reported, and in films it's always a mad scientist creating genetically engineered monsters.
Tell us a joke.
I tried my best to think of one but came up with nothing.
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