Domain Summaries
Domain A: Knowledge and Intellectual abilities
My PhD project was multi-disciplinary in its’ core, as it involved material development at the Chemistry department (Uni. of Sheffield) and further testing of this material with mesenchymal stromal cells at the Biology department (Uni. of York).At an early stage of the PhD, my project-specific knowledge was enriched through attendance of the relevant modules at Universities of York and Sheffield. At the same time, I have attended courses on information seeking and management, which have helped me to stay on the cutting edge of the research and critically assess quality of the information.
I have developed my project-specific methodology knowledge via literature analysis, conference attendance, communication with method specialists and individual experimentation.
I have improved my cognitive abilities, such as analysis, synthesis and critical thinking, by attending paper club meetings, internal seminars and conferences. Presentation of my research during conferences provided me with vital experience in defending my methodology and research findings.
Training courses and other events attended
Research Integrity course (University of York)4 day bioreactor training course (Keele University)
Designing a poster using Corel Draw (University of York)
Speed Reading and Mind Mapping (University of Leeds)
Cell Biology module (University of York)
Cell and Tissue Engineering module (University of York)
Cellular and Molecular Imaging module (University of York)
PCR application and DNA sequencing module (University of York)
Scientific Writing (University of Sheffield)
6 thinking hats course (University of York)
Bioscience Technology Insight (University of York)
Conferences (oral or poster presentations)
- (poster) DTC TERM Research Project Presentation, University of Leeds, 2011
- (poster) Joined Leeds and Loughborough DTC TERM conference, University of Loughborough, 2011
- (presentation) 13th BITEG meeting, Kroto Research Institute, Sheffield, 2011
- (presentation) Joint DTC Conference, Keele University, 2012
- (presentation) 14th BITEG meeting, University of York, 2012
- (presentation) RSC Biomaterials Chemistry Group - 7th Annual Meeting, Sheffield Hallam University, 2013
- (presentation) Future Investigators of Regenerative Medicine Symposium, Spain, 2013
Domain B: Personal Effectiveness
Throughout the project, I relied on perseverance and alignment of the direction of the project with my personal goals. With progression of the project, I have improved my personal effectiveness with routine and time-consuming aspects of the research. Development of self-discipline was instrumental for reinforcing integrity in my approach to research.By conducting research between two institutions, I was able to learn the vital skills of prioritisation and time management quickly. These skills were further improved by attending time management courses.
In order to perform some of the experiments I needed to negotiate my action plans with my supervisors. I have achieved agreement with them by structuring a well-supported argument. My active participation in the Toastmasters (public speaking) club has taught me a structured approach to information delivery, argumentation and control of personal presence (confidence).
To further improve my personal effectiveness, I have set up scheduled self-reflection sessions and analysis of the feedback, provided by my TAP members and my project supervisors. These sessions have helped me to realise my strengths, such as creativity and analytical skills, and strengthen my weak areas, such as long term strategic planning.
During the final year of my PhD I have attended several courses on career matching and job searching. In addition, I took part in the Biomedical YES competition, which has provided me with crucially important experience in biotechnology business creation and pitching to the investors. At the moment I am pursuing a career in an industrial environment.
Training courses and other events attended
Career planning for researchers (University of York)“Town – not gown?” alternative to academia (University of Leeds)
Biomedical YES competition (Stevenage Biomedical Catalyst)
Time management during my research degree (University of Leeds)
Time management course (University of York)
Presentation skills (Yorkshire Connect, Sheffield)
‘The secrets of great presenters’ course (University of York)
Negotiation skills (Yorkshire Connect, Sheffield)
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) (University of Leeds)
Attendance of the Toastmasters International Club
Managing your supervisors (University of York)
Effective speed reading for researchers (University of York)
Creativity and problem solving (University of York)
Domain C: Research Governance and Organisation
Prior to the start of the wet-lab experiments at both universities, I went through a rigorous training in health and safety, as well as first aid. During preparation of every experiment in the chemistry department, I needed to submit risk assessment documents for a review by a senior departmental staff member. Both H&S and risk assessment helped me to realise my responsibility for my work and made me aware of my possible impact on others and the environment.However my research did not involve animal models, all of the experiments were conducted with adherence to ethical standards of research. During my research presentations, I have acknowledged my collaborators, where appropriate.
I took structured approach to my project planning. Project goals were set and reviewed on fortnightly-monthly meetings with my primary and secondary supervisors. Over time, such practice strengthened relationships with my supervisors and provided assurance in progression of the project towards initially set aims.
The outcome of my project is a synthesis of a novel material, which was extensively characterised and is also researched as culture and testing environment for mesenchymal stromal cells. Findings from my project will be shared with the scientific community via publication in a scientific journal and a thesis, both of which are currently in preparation.
Training courses and other events attended
Biomedical YES competition (Stevenage Biomedical Catalyst)How to manage your supervisor (University of York)
Academic Integrity and Ethics (University of York)
Research Ethics (University of Leeds)
Chemical Safety Awareness (University of York)
Biological Safety Awareness (University of York)
Becoming an effective researcher (University of York)
Domain D: Engagement, Influence and Impact
In order to improve my communication and influence skills further I have attended specialised courses in body and voice projection, delivered by professional actors. I found the skills, learned on these courses, very useful at every opportunity where I needed to supervise and mentor junior lab members. On several occasions, I have chaired meetings with doctoral training centre students, where I was managing group exercises and leading question and answer sessions.
Furthermore, I had a fantastic opportunity to develop my people management and leadership skills when I acted as the team leader of the group of 5 in the Biomedical YES competition. I have also obtained additional pitching experience, when we, as a team, have presented a concept of an adjuvant cancer treatment to the panel of 3 biotechnology investors. Participation in this competition broadened my understanding of how important is long-term partnership between academia and the industry in the enterprise formation process.
As I have mentioned earlier, I have presented my research on multiple conferences. One of the last ones was the FIRM symposium in Spain. The majority of the oral presentations during my project were done in front of audiences of 50+ people, which were followed by lively discussions afterwards.
At the material characterisation stage of the project, I have collaborated with a research group at the Sheffield Hallam University, which possesses a specific technical expertise in polymer characterisation. Fruitful collaboration with this group resulted in data sets, which will be used in a publication, which is currently in preparation.
Training courses and other events attended
‘Great Bones’ volunteering project at Skipton College for girlsActing skills training (University of Leeds)
Future Investigators of Regenerative Medicine (FIRM) Symposium (Spain)
Voice projection training (University of York)
Media skills (University of York)
‘The secrets of great presenters’ course (University of York)