Why did you choose to study at the University of Nottingham?
Natural sciences appealed to me more than any other degree because it allowed me to continue three subjects which I immensely enjoyed during secondary school – I felt like I wasn’t ready to commit to only one subject, just yet. The ability to study biology, chemistry, and maths definitely provided me with a better understanding of the individual subjects because they complemented each other well.
I chose the University of Nottingham due to both its academic excellence and the social aspect that the university was known for: I wanted a university that would enable me to pursue my career ambitions, but also provide a memorable experience. University of Nottingham was one of the few universities that fulfilled these two criteria, for me.
Tell us about your best experience you had while studying your course
Undertaking the fourth year research project was the most enjoyable part of my degree. It was the first time I was granted the independence to develop scientific autonomy. It was daunting to be expected to produce a dissertation at the end, but the guidance and facilities that the university offered made it a seamless experience. The research project reaffirmed my decision to pursue a PhD after graduation and allowed me to engage with academics at the university on a personal level – something which I hadn’t done until then, but was a great experience.
What have you been up to since graduation?
I decided to undertake a PhD in battery modelling after graduating. Batteries and modelling are two very distinct fields: the former requires a detailed knowledge of chemistry, while the latter requires maths. Without a degree in natural sciences I wouldn’t have been able (or at least found it very challenging) to pursue this research project, as studying a single science would not have allowed me to develop the knowledge and skills required.