I began my undergraduate degree studying Biological Sciences at Middlesex University, a result of my admiration towards the research and the discoveries in the field, famously made in the years prior. During my time there I developed a deeper inclination towards working in research, leading me to starting an MSc in Biotechnology at Nottingham Trent University. There, I conducted my thesis investigating RNA editing events in human brain tissue. Aiming to elucidate the function and effects of these lesser understood posttranscriptional genetic events.

This enthusiasm steered me towards a PhD position in Dr Kofler’s group at the Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics. Here, my work will be focused on looking at the potential fitness impacts and effects of specific transposable elements on different Drosophila populations.