Stephanie obtained a first-class honors degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Sheffield in 2017. The modules she studied included: cell biology, membrane receptors, stem cells, tissue engineering, cancer, physiology, anatomy, and pharmacology. During her final year, she wrote a literature review on ‘Cell Therapy in Curing Muscular Dystrophy’, in which she analyzed different cell types with different genetic manipulations for their potential use in cell therapy. This project ignited her interest in stem cell technology, as well as in personalized medicine to tailor treatments to individuals depending on their particular gene variants.
During her time at university, she worked as a laboratory demonstrator, guiding biomedical students in younger years through their practical’s.
After obtaining her degree she spent 6 months working as a Clinical Research Technician, working on the front line of clinical research. She performed a variety of physiological assessments on clinical trial volunteers to obtain data, such as phlebotomy, ECGs, vital signs, and spirometry. This experience furthered her understanding of pharmaceutical testing, regulation, and trial coordination.
Stephanie later worked as a Laboratory Technician in industry, cryopreserving, and storying adipose tissue for breast cancer patients undergoing breast reconstruction. She performed sterility tests and cell viability tests on tissues to ensure high-quality tissue was obtained. Observing firsthand the advantages of this technology over pre-existing therapies confirmed her motivation to contribute to research into therapeutic interventions.
From the back of her campervan, Stephanie worked as a scientific writer for AZoNetwork, while traveling Australia and New Zealand. This allowed her to keep updated with the latest scientific developments in between her climbing, hiking, and surfing adventures. She is now about to commence studying a master’s degree in molecular medicine from the University of Sheffield in October and is looking forward to developing her practical research skills in a research project of her own.