Iona Christie

Current Employer/Organisation Name

UK Health Security Agency

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I graduated and went straight into an MSc in Medical Microbiology at LSHTM after I graduated from there I was on the hunt for a job. While I was looking for a job I volunteered at Cambridge university in the biochemistry department helping with research. I got a job at GSK as an associate microbiologist I was there for three years, putting into practice all my bacterial identification skills. I moved from there to a biotech company again looking at bacteria. From there I moved on to virology. Although having not touched virology since my masters, all the skills I had learned were transferable.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I enjoy science and I found I liked working in a lab. I enjoy the variation that the job brings.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

Member of the horse riding society and scuba diving.

Were you part of the Exeter Student Ambassador Scheme at any point during your studies?

Yes.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

The variation in modules and the field trips.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

The feel of the campus and the interesting topics of modules.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

The size of the campus was small.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

General lab skills and good communication and organisational skills.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Find experience. Work experience is so helpful since there are so many aspects of science.

What are your plans for the future?

My plan is to do a part-time PhD to then help me become registered as a clinical scientist.