Getting to know the Florey Students - Emily

Name: Emily Fisk

Age: 23

Hometown: Oxford, UK

Florey Studentship:
I joined Prof. David Dockrell’s research group in October 2014.
I currently work in the Department of Infection and Immunity, on a project that aims to look at the importance of Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) during respiratory S.pneumoniae infection, specifically focusing on macrophages and their metabolic and apoptotic responses.

Previous Experience
I studied for my MBiolSci in Biochemistry and Microbiology within the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MBB) at the University of Sheffield. During this time I was also President of MBBSoc.
I obtained basic lab skills during my undergraduate, but it wasn’t until my Level 4 that I had to work independently on a Lab Project, also within the Dockrell group. Before this, I had chosen to do a Teaching Project during Level 3 and worked in a retail shop during my summer and Christmas vacations, in order to fund my studies.

Achievements
I’m currently in the first year of my PhD, and have not had the chance to publish or go to conferences yet – but I’m excited to get going!

Current Interests and Activities
I am currently Co-Chair of the Medical Postgraduate Society (MPGS), which aims to work with UoS Postgraduate leads, listening to student views and improving the learning, teaching and overall postgraduate experience. In this role, I work with the School Graduate Research Committee and Co-Chair the Staff-Student Liaison Committee. Additionally, I am co-Founder and Chair of the Postgraduate Representative Committee at the UoS Students Union.
I enjoy getting involved with teaching and outreach. The two most recent projects I have been involved in are the MDH Level One Health Challenge during which I act as a group Facilitator for undergraduates, and also the Krebs Art and Science Festival, which introduces scientific concepts to secondary school children, and helps them produce art and animations which will be presented during the final festival week.
Outside of my studies, I love to play sports and keep fit. I am currently Ladies Captain at Broomgrove Badminton Club in Sheffield. I also thoroughly enjoy baking and trialling new recipes on my housemates and colleagues the office! =P My boyfriend and I have recently started a small food blog too – although we both do PhDs, so its been hard finding the time to write together lately!

Favourite aspect about being a Florey Student?
I get to work with people across different Departments and Universities!
As part of the second student cohort to join the Florey, I have been selected to work with a partner University in a different country, which I cannot wait to get started on =D

Top tips for PhD students
Although it may feel like your PhD takes over your life, do not let it! You’re still a human being, so make the effort to make friends, join clubs or do activities you enjoy, and make sure you have a healthy work-life balance! It will all count towards your CV, helping both your personal AND professional developments =)
Also, if you have a problem, don't suffer in silence! Talk to people, as you will often find others in similar situations or end up chatting to someone who can help you through it.

Relevant Links
Emily Fisk - LinkedIn
http://www.floreyinstitute.com/research-projects.html
MPGS Twitter
MPGS Facebook
The Thrifty Foodies Blog