Case studies: PhD student in pharmacology: Ashley

Ashley graduated with a pharmacology degree from the University of Dundee. She is currently working on her PhD in Pharmacology and Neuroscience

I very much enjoyed my pharmacology course. The university was very flexible. The first years were made up of generalised biology modules, giving students a good general background for biology and chemistry.

As we progressed, the classes became more specific with the final year concentrating on our particular degree choice. This was very useful for me, as it allowed me to change my degree twice.

I originally came to university to do a zoology degree. I quickly swapped to genetics before a pharmacology module in my second year persuaded me that this was my main interest. I particularly enjoyed the final year honours project for which I worked in a laboratory for six months. This experience attracted me to lab work and my current career path.

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Pharmacology and Neuroscience. I was lucky enough to get some additional experience in the lab while I applied for PhD programmes and was interviewed for my current position.

My degree gave me the background to study pharmacology and neuroscience - both having the understanding of the subject academically and having the lab experience that helped me settle into the experimental work I now do.

My job is mostly composed of laboratory-based practical work and academic reading. However, my PhD often also comprises presentation of work and group discussions.

I work with lab equipment on a daily basis while conducting experiments. This work can be frustrating as you often face failure in the short term. It is therefore necessary to problem solve everyday.

Despite this, the work is exciting and rewarding - especially as you achieve results that may never have been seen before. I enjoy that I have to think everyday and am never bored. I also like that my work will hopefully forward scientific knowledge. However, it can be challenging to be patient when things don't work.

My advice for other students and graduates who want to pursue options in pharmacology is to just enjoy it. Working in science can be more than just a job. It can be like a hobby. You can work to improve both yourself and your field. Hopefully, when you put in the extra hours, it is because you want to. The ultimate reward of finding something new is always worth it.

AGCAS

Sourced by Seth Coffelt, AGCAS

Date: 

February 2013

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