Profile

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Sarah Clarke

My CV

  • Education:

    I went to Alcester Grammar for secondary school and stayed there for sixth form. I then went to the University of Bristol where I studied immunology. I took a year out of my degree to spend a year working at a pharmaceutical company doing research into drug development. I realised that I really liked research that affects people’s health so I went to medical school. I did my medical degree at the University of Oxford. After I graduated I did my first two years of medical training in Leicester before moving to Bristol to train as a paediatrician. I am currently in the second year of my PhD at the University of Bristol.

  • Qualifications:

    I did 11 GCSES (Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, English, Engligh Literature, German, French, History, Geography and Art) and got four A*s, six As and one B. I got a B in German at AS level and three As at A-level in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.

  • Work History:

    I got my first job age 14 and from then until now I have had a lot of different jobs (some more fun than others!):
    Baby sitter, Waitress, Shop assistant, Science tutor, Assistant art therapist, Working at music festivals, Research scientist, Paediatrician

  • Current Job:

    PhD student

  • About Me:

    I’m a children’s doctor working in the South West of England. I spend my time doing research into illnesses that affect children.

  • Read more

    I am a paediatrician (children’s doctor) working in the South West of England.  At the moment I am taking a break from working in the hospital and am doing a PhD. When I was at school I wanted to be a vet…until I became allergic to most animals. I didn’t think I’d make a very good vet if I was allergic to all my patients so instead I did a degree in immunology to learn more about allergies.  After this I went to medical school so that I could do research and understand more about why diseases happen. I now spend my time doing research into diseases that affect children at the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol.

    I am not very good at sitting still so have lived and worked all over the UK. I also love to travel and last time I counted had visited 28 different countries across the world. When I’m not working, I really enjoy cooking and trying new food. One of my favourite things to make is sushi.

  • My Typical Day:

    My typical day ALWAYS starts with a coffee the moment I get to my desk. The great thing about science is that no two days are ever quite the same – my days usually involve some combination of computer coding, going to meetings, chatting to people about my research and preparing talks for research meetings.

  • What I'd do with the prize money:

    I think it is really important that children and young people have the chance to hear more about research that affects them and get hands on with science. I would use this money to put together an interactive activity to take to schools and festivals to explain my work.

  • My Interview

    • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

      Chatty, determined, inquisitive

      What did you want to be after you left school?

      A vet

      Were you ever in trouble at school?

      I didn't enjoy geography and used to be told off for chatting

      Who is your favourite singer or band?

      Embrace - I'm still stuck in the 90's!

      What's your favourite food?

      Chinese

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

      To be happy, healthy and humble!

      Tell us a joke.

      Why can't you trust atoms? Because they make everything up! (...ok ok its terrible)

Questions answered by Sarah

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