Annabel Taylor

Annabel studied BSc Medical Biochemistry and completed a year in industry work placement Medimmune. She also secured a summer research student place at Diamond Light Source, and after graduation studied an MRes in Cardiovascular Research before going on to her PhD in Cardiovascular Research.

Why did you choose the University of Leeds?

Aside from the appeal of my course and department, the University was very memorable when I came to visit for an Open Day. The campus has an impressive SU, lots of libraries and places to work on site and is very close to the city centre. Leeds itself is a great place to be a student, with lots going on, cheap nightlife and great shopping, as well as being close to countryside and easy to reach by train.

What key aspects of your experience of Leeds would you highlight to students thinking about coming do the same course/programme?

One particular aspect of the course which I’d highlight is the opportunity to take a placement year in between the second and final years of study. I worked in the pharmaceutical company Medimmune, which specialises in antibody-based therapies, within the analytical biotechnology group. This gave me the chance to learn a variety of techniques and I was encouraged to conduct my own experiments, being awarded a travel grant to present my work in Washington D.C. and accredited as a Registered Scientist by the Society of Biology. My year was very enjoyable, I made lots of new friends/colleagues and the skills and insight I gained have undoubtedly benefitted me going back to University.

How have the facilities (libraries/labs etc.) helped you get the most out of your degree?

The scientific facilities available to me during my degree have been brilliant; I never would have imagined prior to the course just how many opportunities I would have to try my hand at different techniques or see them in action. Our practical sessions were well structured and complemented the lecture material, giving me an insight into why each procedure was used and how it might be useful. In addition to practical sessions, all of our lecture slides have been available online, with many members of staff now recording their lectures if you need to review them.