Profile

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Tom Branson

Had a really good time with all the questions and chats. Hope you guys all enjoyed it too, and maybe learnt something along the way!

My CV

  • Education:

    I went Murray Park school in Derby (1998-2003), sixth form at John Port school (2003-2005), then the University of York with a year abroad at the University of Helsinki in Finland (2005-2009) and now I’m at the University of Leeds

  • Qualifications:

    A levels: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, History. Masters Degree in Chemistry. Currently doing a PhD in Chemical Biology

  • Work History:

    I worked at a local sweet shop and newsagents when I was at school to save up some money

  • Current Job:

    Studying for a PhD

  • Read more

    I’m in my 8th year at university now, yes that is a lot. But I really enjoy it and it’s been different every year. I don’t have to go to lessons anymore and I’m in charge of my own days and choose when I want to work.

    My research is with protein toxins and trying to build clever carbohydrates that can bind to the toxins really strongly. This then stops the toxins from working and prevents you from getting nasty diseases like diarrhea.

    Working at a university is quite hard work but really fun. I have a great set of lab mates doing similar work so we all help each other out on different projects and I have a supervisor giving me helpful tips and ideas of how to make my experiments work better.

  • My Typical Day:

    I’m usually in the office for a while sorting emails and planning my work, then its into the lab for the experiments!

  • Read more

    My time in the lab is very varied. Some days I am creating new DNA and putting it into bacteria. The bacteria then act as a factory making lots of proteins for me to test.

    Some days I go to the physics department and use their special atomic force microscope to look at the individual protein structures that I have formed. And other days I make different peptides and carbohydrates in the chemistry lab. I do a bit of all the sciences.

    I spend a bit time each day reading  and planning the experiments. I also have to write up the work I do on my computer and create reports so I can tell people about what I’ve found out.

  • What I'd do with the prize money:

    I’d use the money to get school students into a real university lab to try out some cool science

  • My Interview

    • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

      Very easily excited

      Were you ever in trouble at school?

      Yes. Generally for not listening

      Who is your favourite singer or band?

      Reel Big Fish. They’re a ska band with guitars and trumpets, really fun music to jump around to

      If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

      To live somewhere hot and sunny near the sea. Have my own pet elephant. And to be a couple inches taller

      Tell us a joke.

      What award did the inventor of the door knocker win? The “no bell” prize

Questions answered by Tom

View all Tom's answered questions