Profile
Tom Willmott
My CV
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Education:
Primary school – Overtstone Combined School
Secondary school – Sir Henry Floyd, Aylesbury
University – Universities of Aberystwyth and Manchester -
Qualifications:
GCSEs – 1 A*, 6 As, 6 Bs, 1 C
A Levels – 3 Bs
BSc Biology – 1st
MSc Medical Microbiology – Distinction
PhD Medical Microbiology – Ongoing -
Work History:
Growing up I was a potwash in the local pub! During University I was a gardener in my local villages. Since University I have had two research posts in the laboratories.
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Current Job:
PhD Medical Microbiology – University of Manchester.
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About Me:
I research bacteria in health and disease – my current project is looking at how bacteria play a role in pregnancy complications and what we can do to change that. Prior to academia I was a primary school teacher.
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I studied BSc Biology (1st class honours) at Aberystwyth University before taking a 2 year break to teach English as a foreign languageĀ to primary school children in Hanoi, Vietnam. When I returned, I took a MSc in Medical Microbiology (distinction) before being employed as a research scientist at the University of Manchester. I am now doing a PhD in Medical Microbiology.
Outside of the lab I enjoy football (Watford FC Fan!), squash, running and video games.
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My research focuses on what bacteria do to keep you healthy and how changes in them can cause some nasty illnesses. I look at what they changes are, how we can prevent them and how we can kill the nasty bacteria! My current project is looking at bacteria during pregnancy complications.
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My Typical Day:
Up and cycle to the hospital where I collect samples for pregnant patients (normally their spit and blood!) before going to the lab to analyse them. I will then spend the afternoon processing the data and writing up the results.
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In the lab at look at what bacteria are there and what they are doing. I then relate this back to the patient. I am also using models to grow up smelly bacterial communities to mess around with to see what happens!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Bacteria loving nerd
What did you want to be after you left school?
Scientist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes...subjects I wasn't interested in I didn't pay much attention...
Who is your favourite singer or band?
The Wombats
What's your favourite food?
Pizza!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
A job for life! A motorbike! A house!
Tell us a joke.
What do you call a man under a pile of leaves? Russel
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