Things she does

As I wend my way through my life, things happen; here are some of them

Locomotive Cleaner at East Lancs Railway

In September 2021 I started working as a Cleaner on the East Lancs Railway. This is not mopping floors of the carriages or anything like that. This is the first step on the ladder to train as a steam engine driver! As a cleaner, I prepare the engine for the day's work, which can be anything from cleaning the bodywork, getting the grime off the piston rods to opening up the smokebox door on the front of the engine and shovelling out the ash and soot that collects there. I also get the opportunity to practice firing the engine; shovelling coal into the fire! But its very precise, you have to maintain an even fire bed to keep good heat in the boiler whilst watching the steam pressure, water levels AND keeping an eye out the front of the engine for signals, crossings etc. etc. There are a few pics below including the first engine I ever got to work on... 60103 Flying Scotsman

Travel in Europe 2021

In August 2021 (taking all appropriate COVID precautions) my girlfriend Tina and I travelled around Europe visiting nine countries in three weeks; France, Monaco, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, Poland, The Netherlands and Belgium. Here are a few highlights.

First Class Degree!!

I am immensely proud to say that my MChem is finished and I achieved a 1st class honours degree!

Chemistry: Late

 
A great evening at the Manchester Science and Industry museum! And got to have a catch up with Dr Kat Presland and Dr Kristy Turner!

Chemistry Prospectus... two for two!

I never believed that I'd make the chemistry prospectus twice in a row but there I am with the same awesome selfie too!
(This image is taken from a digital copy of the 2019 Chemistry Prospectus, Copyright © The University of Manchester 2019)

Manchester Pride 2019

I can't believe my good fortune that at the 11th hour I was invited to participate in the Pride Parade in 2019!!

Mills Group

Picture
During the academic summer of 2019 I assisted Mr. Ben Reant under the supervision of Dr. D Mills in his PhD research, investigating the formation and reactivity of lanthanide – silicon bonds. As an undergraduate I was able to benefit from working in an active research laboratory and gain skills in air sensitive chemistry. This included weighing, measuring, filling metal and setting up experiments in the glovebox. Conducting experiments on the Schlenk line; set up and taking down of the line, flaming out, cycling on, transfer of liquids through filter and transfer cannulas, concentrating solutions for recrystallisation, pumping solutions to dryness for the addition of a new solvent and building on the skills learned in the teaching laboratory.
I conducted a total of 31 reactions, 11 full scale and 20 NMR scale. After conducting a number of experiments to learn the skill required, I focused on reactivity of a Sm complex using NMR scale reactions to conduct a broad array of experiments. This route was chosen due to the fact that when two reactions were unsuccessful, it would be a waste of materials to try to keep experimenting at full scale. I also conducted a series of group 14 – KNtt reactions and it was here that I was able to create two novel compounds . Despite not being the target molecule, it is gratifying that these compounds demonstrate unexpected reactivity and will support further investigations into the formation of E(Ntt)2 complexes. To complete my series of projects I undertook a radioactive Th experiment; attempting the addition of Cp’ ligands to a Th centre. I was able to produce crystals which appeared to be the target molecule.

My friend Lilly

n August 2018, I had a tweet from a woman in New Zealand; she had read the profile the RSC wrote about me. It turns out that she had also overcome challenges in her life and then returned to education to study chemistry too. After that we began to talk, and talk and talk some more. 
We described our relationship as "twitter pen pals" but we'd talk all the time, sometimes about chemistry, sometimes just girl talk.  She was always there for me with a kind word or a reminder that I should believe in myself and my abilities as a chemist. 

She passed away on 30/01/19; we only got to share a few months of a friendship that I honestly believe could've lasted until we were both too old to pick up a flask. 

She touched my life and I miss her so much, I can't believe that I can't just pick up my phone and message her. There are so many plans that are left undone; I was going to go to visit her and we were going to go out to our favourite burger joint in Wellington, ride the cable car and crash out in the botanical gardens. She was going to stay up for my graduation and I was going to Skype her in my cap and gown. 

​Thank you for making such a difference to my life Lilly. I love you xxxxx

Story Collider

In October 2017 I told my story, and storycollider.org have included it in their 25/01/19 podcast

International Women’s Day 2019


I feel very proud to have been included on the poster for The School of Chemistry’s IWD19 event!
As part of the larger event at the University of Manchester, Jess Wade was invited to come and give a talk on improving gender equality in the sciences and academia. I’m such a fan-girl!

Travel

03/07/18: I stopped by Darmstadt and GSI for a little chemistry tourism

Meeting friends from twitter

I do love a chemistry “tweet-up”

Helping other chemists!

I’m rather proud of this; here is a sample of my “example lab book format”. I wrote this towards the end of my first semester at university, I am consistently praised for the quality, preparation and use of my lab book but it took me a while and a bit of luck in finding a format that worked well. What I needed was an in-depth guide to walk me through this bizarre new thing called a lab note book, so I wrote one!
The university is looking into making this available to all students for next year, if you’re interested in this please let me know!

Look who made the prospectus!

This profile pic of me, which is one of those rare instances where I take a selfie and genuinely like it btw, was originally taken for this. I was studying for my summer organic chemistry exam (oxymercuration, if you're interested!) and I was told my quote would be included in the prospectus, but they needed a picture. A picture‽ I was frazzled!! So I quickly did my hair and touched up my make up and ended up liking the first picture I took!! That NEVER happens!! (This image is taken from a digital copy of the 2018 Chemistry Prospectus, Copyright © The University of Manchester 2018)

Appearing in print! (Although Charlotte was named for me, she's not actually me!)

An extract from "Margot & Me" by Juno Dawson. Juno tweeted asking for a female character name for her next book. Guess who got picked‽ (Screen shot taken from https://books.google.co.uk 07/09/18, text Copyright © Juno Dawson, 2017, ISBN: 9781471406096)

A little bit of posing in the lab!

Ok so I know it’s a little self indulgent... but I really like this photo!

Story Collider!!

It was my privilege to take part in Story Collider (@storycollider) on 26/10/18 and tell the story of my life leading up to becoming a #womaninSTEM. 
(BR L-R) Tori Blakeman @toriexplores, Dr Maria Augusta Arruda @guta1610, Nicola Edwards @nedwards_sci.
(FR L-R) Dr Heather Williams @alrightPET, Dr Toria Stafford (our host) @ToriaStafford and Me

Student Ambassador :-)

Now in my second year, I'm entitled to wear the grey hoodie! It feels like a promotion :-)
If you come to the School of Chemistry in Manchester for an open day or a UCAS interview day then you'll see my in my home away from home giving tours and talking to visitors!!