This page is a brief over view of the most important positions that I have held over the last 10 years. Along with my PhD, they have all helped me develop a collection of profession skills, which include:

Teaching, specimen based research, statistical analyses, data collection and management, training, project management, student support, course and module design, time management, research dissemination, comparative phylogenetic methods, morphometrics and biomechanics, travel planning and logistics,  oral and poster presentations.

I was able to keep up my teaching while was doing my PhD. I demonstrated (teaching assistant) on lots of things, in labs, tutorials, as well as UK and international field courses.

Demonstrating in Peniche, Portugal and Lincolnshire Wildlife Park

• Leading initiatives in data science across the data analytics directorate
• Developed NLP processes for the analysis of large qualitative datasets, bringing to light previously unseen insight
• Authored the “world class analytics” contribution to the Jisc white paper on FE data collection
• Designed a new skills development programme for the data intelligence analysts which has been adopted by the wider directorate
• Implemented automation and quality assurance, increasing team outputs
• Mentored apprentice and early career analysts
• Led the discovery process for data hub innovation, including requirement gathering and vendor communications
• Applied an isolation forest algorithm to interaction data revealing activity patterns in at risk students
• Created a novel technique for the anonymisations of large scale unformatted free text, incorporating named entity recognition to remove personal identifying information

Data Scientist

Map of Ag | Apr 2018- Aug 2020

Animal and Plant Health Agency (Defra) Support Scientist

October 2017 – March 2018

Support Scientist (Analytical Epidemiology)

In the Department of Epidemiological Sciences I provided support for projects that tackle diseases in the UK. I used VBA programming for access and excel to analyse data for epidemiological reports, in addition I contributed to several national and international publications as well as producing several sole author communications.

; Aston University

January 2017 – April 2017

Post-doctoral Researcher

I was the lead researcher on a project entitled Geometric morphometric analysis of G protein-coupled receptor structure. We won competitive funding based on both the potential impact of the project and my own research track record. I used specialised programmes to analyse 2D and 3D data.

Myerscough College, Preston, Lancashire

January 2011 – August 2013  

Lecturer (Higher Education) Equine Science

This position was varied and demanding. I needed the  ability to learn new skills and update my knowledge on a regular basis, to keep up to date with progression in the field of equine science. Working as module tutor, course tutor and dissertation supervisor meant professional skills like statistical analysis, critical literature reviews and research are part of the day to day role. I was in charge of the first and second years of the four degrees offered at Myerscough. Myerscough College is a land based college, and an associate school of UCLan. I was a part of the Periodic Course Review process, personally responsible for writing and validation of new modules across the degrees.

The range of degrees in the equine department meant that I often had to adapt my teaching style to the student and the topic. One of my favourite parts of the position was the supervision of dissertation students. I would work with them to develop their ideas in to research questions, and design and carry out appropriate methods, through to the analysis and presentation. My students worked on a range of projects, from physiology and reproduction, to the equine economy.

I was the lead for the departmental research, which was on athletic development of young riders. This was a completely novel research field for me. I managed this project from design to deliver. It required quantitative analysis of large data sets, it was successfully concluded when I presented the findings at two international conferences.

Tough Heart Riding, Texas, USA

October 2008- August 2011

Business Manager and Assistant Trainer

This was a role that I did both full and part time. I was responsible for the business management of a start up training facility. I also taught inexperienced horses and riders. This took a lot of self motivation and discipline. Making and maintaining professional relationships was a large part of what I did, in order to build up a lasting client base. My understanding of animal behaviour and biomechanics was essential.

Texas Fire Resources

April 2009-August 2010 (various)

Wildland Firefighter

I am a type II qualified wildland firefighter. This means that I can work on both wild fires and controlled burns. This is a job that needs excellent communication, team work, and rapid responses to changing challenges.

Hai Bar Yotvata

January 2009-March 2009

Reserve Assistant (Volunteer)

I wanted more practical working experience when I finished my MSc. I worked as a volunteer at the Israel National Park centre, near Eilat, in the Arava desert. The working team was a mixture of volunteers of different nationalities and experiences. We provided care for a range of native species, while managing improvement projects and public engagement.

Georgette the boa and Malka the wolf

Territorial Army 

2003-2007

Officer Cadet

I funded my undergraduate degree by being an officer cadet in the Aberdeen Universities Officer Training Corps. I earned the Military Training Qualifications I and II, which are for discipline and leadership. I was part of the winning team for the first ever TA snowboarding champions. I was the first female TA snowboarding champion.