Meet our students and alumni

We asked some of our students and graduates to share their experiences of studying in the School of Biosciences, and to tell us what they've ended up doing with their degree.

I will always be grateful for my experience as a Biomedical Science undergraduate.

Vishmi Silva BSc Biomedical Science

Vishmi studied Biomedical Science with us as an undergraduate, where support from her tutors helped her to stay on at the university to study Medicine.

My course helped me secure a role in Dr Anestis Tsakiridis’ laboratory as a research technician

Bethany James MBiomedSci Biomedical Science

Bethany’s MBiomedSci year allowed her to be fully involved within the lab, working alongside academics and PhD students throughout her project which inspired her to pursue a career in scientific research.

I spent my placement working as a Junior Scientist at Erba Molecular

Harindi Jayakody MBiolSci Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology

Harindi chose to complete her 4th year project in industry, working as a Junior Scientist at molecular diagnostics company, Erba Molecular. This experience confirmed that a career in the biotech industry is the right path for Harindi.

I spent my year abroad studying Biomedical Science in Australia!

Jowi Guillen MBiomedSci Biomedical Science

Jowi chose to spend her year abroad studying Biomedical Science in Australia and recommends fellow students who are hesitant in applying to take the leap.

My year abroad in Melbourne brought with it amazing opportunities, for both my academic and personal growth

Chris Buckley MBiolSci Biology with a Year Abroad

Chris spent a year of his biology degree at Monash University in Melbourne. While there, he got first-hand experience studying the Australian ecosystem, travelled up Australia’s east coast, and spent his free time doing bungee jumps and skydives.

My placement helped me secure a funded PhD at the University of Cambridge

Holly Smith BSc Biomedical Science

During her second year, Holly did a placement with Kirkstall, a Rotherham-based biotechnology company. This placement gave her insight into science outside of academia and helped secure her industry-funded studentship for her PhD at the University of Cambridge.

My placement helped me realise my passion for being outdoors and conservation

Olga Kondrashova BSc Biology with Placement Year

Olga spent her placement year working at the Field Studies Council on the doorstep of Snowdonia in North Wales. During the year, Olga took part in biological surveys, conservation projects, outdoor education and adventure activities.

My placement year helped me to secure my Assistant Ecologist role at EMEC Ecology

Anna Williams BSc Ecology and Conservation Biology with Placement Year

The specialist and transferable skills Anna learned during her year-long placement at EMEC Ecology – an ecological consultancy that undertakes protected species surveys – greatly improved her work-life balance and helped her secure an assistant ecologist role at a consultancy in the Yorkshire Dales.

Learning about the interplay between science, politics, law and society was fascinating

Beth Firmin BSc Medical Genetics

As part of her third year, Beth did a Science Policy and Communication project into the potential therapeutic benefits of hallucinogens such as LSD and Magic Mushrooms. This project combined science, politics, and law, and fuelled Beth’s desire to bring science to a wider audience.

MBiolSci Genetics and Microbiology Isobel Gibson

My third year research project was a great first step into becoming an autonomous researcher

Isobel Gibson MBiolSci Genetics and Microbiology

Isobel was introduced to the Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) scheme in her hunt for experience working in a real-life lab. During the summer, Isobel developed her analytical skills - working out what had gone wrong during an experiment and altering conditions, timings and reagents to ensure the experiment ran smoothly next time. A valuable skill that she’s taking into the fourth year of her degree.

Meet our students and alumni

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