Meet our students and alumni

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

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.

My course helped me secure a PhD position here at Sheffield

Federica Pastorelli BSc Biochemistry

During her third-year project, Federica investigated the acclimation mechanisms in English ivy. This experience sharpened Federica's research and laboratory skills and she has since accepted a PhD position within the same lab here at Sheffield.

My MBiolSci was a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an active research lab

Chris Butler MBiolSci Zoology

Chris’ MBiolSci in Zoology has given him the chance to get hands-on experience in an active research lab working alongside PhD students. It also gave him the opportunity to carry out his own research project while on a field trip in Wales.

My course gave me the skills and knowledge to become a research scientist

Dr Tom Young MBiolSci Ecology (now Ecology and Conservation Biology)

The applied nature of Tom's 4th year MBiolSci research project led him to pursue a PhD in the department following graduation, working with an external company to develop data to inform new product ranges. It's this experience that Tom now uses every day as Technology Manager for the STRI Group.

The industry experience I gained helped me secure a place on the NHS Scientist Training Programme

Sarah French Graduate role: NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) Genomics, The Sheffield Children's Hospital

Sarah was able to pursue her interest in genetics as part of her undergraduate degree, completing a clinical diagnostics research project focused on leukaemia in her third year.