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How I Became A Scientist (and what does that even mean?)

How I Became A Scientist (and what does that even mean?). Kirstie Whitaker, PhD Department of Psychiatry University of Cambridge. A brief CV. A-levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and General Studies BSc in Physics from University of Bristol

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How I Became A Scientist (and what does that even mean?)

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  1. How I Became A Scientist(and what does that even mean?) Kirstie Whitaker, PhD Department of Psychiatry University of Cambridge

  2. A brief CV • A-levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and General Studies • BSc in Physics from University of Bristol • MSc in Medical Physics from University of British Columbia • Funded by a Commonwealth Fellowship • PhD in Neuroscience from University of California at Berkeley • Funded by a Fulbright Scholarship • Postdoctoral Fellow in Department of Psychiatry at University of Cambridge How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  3. Senior School

  4. Withington Girls’ School • Independent school in Manchester • A-levels: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry • Extracurricular activities: choir, drama, dance, orchestra How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  5. Undergraduate (BSc)

  6. University of Bristol • BSc in Physics • Extracurricular activities: bar manager, dance teacher, pantomime performer • Lectures and labs • Lived in halls for 2 years, with friends for final year How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  7. University of Bristol • Dissertation: “Do information effects cause cancer?” • Melatonin is an anti-oxidant, if it is depleted then DNA is vulnerable to oxidative stress • Receptors in the eye detect light-at-night • Particularly affects shift-workers How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  8. Graduate (MSc)

  9. University of British Columbia • MSc in Medical Physics • Radiation therapy • Positron emission therapy • Magnetic resonance imaging • Classes and research • Funded by a commonwealth scholarship • Extra-curricular activities: skiing and exploring How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  10. How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  11. University of British Columbia • 3 years on a 2 year program! • Interest in neuroscience • Thesis: “Quantifying development: Investigating highly myelinated voxels in preadolescent corpus callosum” • Measured myelin – the fatty sheath that insulates axons How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  12. Graduate (PhD)

  13. University of California at Berkeley • PhD in Neuroscience • Classes and research • Teaching undergraduates • Presenting research • Funded by a Fulbright scholarship • Extra-curricular activities: skiing, cycling, more exploring and science outreach How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  14. University of California at Berkeley • Thesis: “Individual differences in white matter integrity: Linking brain structure to cognition in children and adults” How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  15. University of California at Berkeley • Science outreach: one of the most fun parts of my career How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  16. The importance of studying abroad • Friendships • Exploration • Courage • Adventure • Creativity • Seeing things from another perspective • Learning more about your own country and culture • You return an entirely different person How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  17. My first job (PostDoc)

  18. University of Cambridge • Postdoctoral fellow in Department of Psychiatry • Study the emergence of mental health disorders • No more classes, but lots of talks How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  19. University of Cambridge • Differences in brain development between adolescents who have a diagnosis of depression and those who do not • Follow these participants through therapy and see if their brain changes How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  20. University of Cambridge • On any day I may: • Write computer code • Read journal papers • Meet with my colleagues and collaborators • Present my work • Write up my results • Make figures • Calculate statistics • Tear my hair out How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  21. University of Cambridge • But every day I get to think • I make a difference with my work • I spend my days with inspiring people • Every day is different How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  22. Questions (& Answers)

  23. What do you wish you’d known when you were in sixth form? How I became a scientist (and what does that even mean?)

  24. Thank you!

  25. Any Questions?

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