Elly delivers the Genetics and Evolution programme at University Centre Shrewsbury and teaches across various other modules.
What is a typical day at work for you?
I teach most mornings and run laboratory sessions in the afternoons. In between you will find me marking, planning, drinking lots of tea and coming up with witty posts for our UCS Biosciences Facebook page.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
Being part of a student’s learning experience. I really enjoy seeing the impact that my teaching has on a student. Whether that’s their realisation that what they learnt at school is just the tip of the iceberg, or their growing confidence in the laboratory. With the small groups we have here I really do have to opportunity to make an impact on the success of every single student.
What has been your proudest moment whilst working at the university?
Graduation of our first cohort of students. It was a mixture of pride, excitement and a tinge of sadness. Our first graduates have kept in contact though and regularly pop back and update us on their graduate careers.
Have you seen anything funny or surprising while working at the university?
The meme-making skills of some of our students are pretty surprising and some of the science-themed ones they produce are pretty funny!
Do you have any exciting upcoming projects?
We have expanded our outreach and public engagement programme this year so have lots of projects running with schools, colleges, science clubs and the general public. We are very excited to be running some activities at this year’s Shropshire Kids Festival – watch this space!
What is the best thing about the course?
The Genetics and Evolution programme is a very unique and tailored opportunity to study ‘Where everything came from’ (our evolutionary past), ‘What does it all mean’ (why we are like we are and what goes wrong in disease) and importantly ‘What can we do about it’ (what technologies can we apply our knowledge to in order to further humankind?). It appeals to those who have an interest in the evolution of life but also those who want to apply that knowledge to modern genetic technologies – one foot in the past and one in the future.
Choose a movie title for the story of your life.
The green green grass of home.
If you could have a superpower what would you choose?
The ability to pause time.
What should your students remember about you?
My love of my subject and my obsession with plants. Although if you asked them it would probably be my homemade chocolate brownies.
What might people not know about you?
I was a tap dancer for 14 years and even appeared on Blue Peter
What is the best piece of advice that you could give to a student?
Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. Attend everything, join all the clubs, enhance your CV and make friends and contacts along the way. University Centre Shrewsbury is such a supportive environment so make the most of it before entering the graduate world!
What makes University Centre Shrewsbury unique?
The people, without a doubt. The teaching staff here are exceptionally dedicated, passionate about their subject and always willing to help. The support staff go above and beyond every day to make sure students have a happy and fulfilling university experience. The beautiful surroundings, local historical heroes and vibrant community are just an added bonus!
Find out the latest news from the UCS Bioscience department at their Facebook page. If you'd like to learn more about studying Genetics and Evolution at UCS, why not come along to one of our upcoming Visit Days? You can book your place here.
