Profile
Laura Blaikie
My CV
-
Education:
Oldmachar Academy, Aberdeen; Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
-
Qualifications:
8 Standard Grades at Credit 1 level; 5 Highers (Administration – A, Biology – A, Chemistry – A, English – B, Maths – A); BSc (Hons) Forensic and Analytical Science
-
Work History:
Lab demonstrator at Robert Gordon University
-
Current Job:
PhD Student
-
About Me:
I am a PhD student at Robert Gordon University studying medicinal chemistry. I enjoy baking cookies and watching TV 😊
-
Read more
I am in the 3rd year of my PhD at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. I was born and raised in Aberdeen, and I love living beside the sea (even if it is very cold!). I have always enjoyed baking but I have been baking more than ever in lockdown. It reminds me of doing chemistry in the lab, but this time I can eat the products 🍪! My favourite TV shows are Friends and Brooklyn 99 – I have watched every episode of both shows at least 7 times each 📺.
-
Read more
Alzheimer’s disease affects around 50 million people worldwide. It is most common in older people (people over the age of 65). It causes dementia, which is where people can become very forgetful and confused.
In my work, I am trying to make drugs that can stop this disease. I do a lot of chemical reactions to make the drugs, and then I test them to see if they work. I test them in brain cells and in microscopic worms that look like this –
-
My Typical Day:
At the moment, my day involves setting up chemical reactions to make new drugs (my potions!). But I could also be testing my drugs in brain cells or in microscopic worms to see if they can stop the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
-
Read more
I wake up at around 7.30am and I get to university at 9am. I try to plan my week in advance, but things don’t always go to plan! I work in the lab all day most of the time, either making drugs in the chemistry lab or testing the drugs in the cell labs. If I’m not in the lab, then I am on my laptop: answering emails, making a poster or presentation for a conference, or writing a paper so I can publish my results.
-
What I'd do with the prize money:
I would donate the prize money to Aberdeen Science Centre, which aims to engage young people from the local area in STEM with exciting exhibits and inspiring activities.
-
My Interview
-
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Curious, hardworking, funny
What did you want to be after you left school?
A forensic scientist, like in CSI
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Only in sport when I didn't take part - but I know now that exercise is important!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Halsey
What's your favourite food?
Pizza or pasta
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To have a dog, to finish my PhD successfully, and to travel the world
Tell us a joke.
Knock knock - (Who's there?) - Cargo - (Cargo who?) - Car go, "Toot toot, vroom vroom!"
-