I am enjoying my PhD immensely. The nature of my PhD is very varied and traverses a variety of disciplines, including ecotoxicology, molecular biology and genetics, animal behaviour and population modelling. This result is that my day-to-day work is very interesting and both intellectually and practically challenging. I have recently been working on the dominance behaviour of zebrafish and how this is affected by exposure to the oestrogen ethinylestradiol. Outside of work, Exeter is a great place to do a PhD. For anyone keen on the outdoors, the sea is 10 minutes drive away, Dartmoor half an hour and the surfing beaches of North Devon just over an hour. Exeter itself has a good range of pubs, bars and restaurants as well as a handful of clubs. Combine this with the fact that funding for PhDs is now far from a financial incumbrance and there isn't much else I would rather be doing!
Toby Coe, BA (Hons) Biological Sciences, Oxford University; MSc in Aquatic Resource Management, Kings College London; currently studying: 2nd year PhD/GTA investigating the population level impacts of endocrine disruption in fish, University of Exeter
I think I made one of my best decisions when I joined the University of Exeter (Streatham campus), although I had no idea how the southwest of England looked like before I arrived! I discovered that it’s a piece of heaven, Exeter is one of the liveliest cities in the southwest and it has many historical attractions and natural beauty. I have completed my bachelor and master degrees in the Biological Sciences department in Kuwait University. In my job career I have been employed in the Biological Sciences department in Kuwait University as a scientific assistant and after that I worked as administrative researcher in Kuwait Journal of Science and Engineering in the academic publication council in Kuwait university, then the golden chance of my life came when I joined the Environmental Sciences department in Kuwait Institute for scientific research as a research associate. I worked there for two years before I got the scholarship to study for a PhD degree in Ecotoxicology here at Exeter. My research project will focus on one of the most important and hot topics in ecotoxicology, which is the endocrine disruptors. This is a topic that has always stimulated interest in me. I started the program by attending a number of compulsory courses and workshops, beside that I’m doing a laboratory technique training to develop my practical skills to start my experiments with more knowledge, confidence and experience. The fish group (Ecotoxicology and Aquatic Biology Research Group) I belong to is friendly and cooperative, and both my supervisors are supportive, full of knowledge and they are always ready to answer any question and help. It is challenging to do a PhD while being a mother but I’m really proud to be a student in this university and I’m sure that my real scientific future will start from here.
Noura J. Aljandal, PhD student: Ecotoxicology (Hatherly Laboratory)
After finishing my undergraduate degree in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Exeter I decided to continue with the research that I began doing in my final year project. It has been challenging and fun to be in the lab and I have really enjoyed the research environment. In my third year I had a chance to travel to Australia to work for 5 months as part of the outstanding kinetics research group of Prof. Leone Spiccia at Monash University in Melbourne. There I was able to learn a great deal and it allowed me the opportunity to experience some of the amazing natural sights that Australia has to offer!
Sophia Tapper, PhD funded by EPSRC 'Mimicking the active site of an enzyme'
Conducting my PhD at Exeter has provided me with an excellent opportunity to pursue my interest in fish biology. My project focuses on understanding why salmon choose different life histories as young fish in their natal rivers. For example some individuals will migrate to sea and return to spawn several years later as large adults, whereas other salmon (precocious parr) will permanently reside in the river and sexually mature at a much smaller size (100-fold compared to migrants) and sneak mating opportunities. In particular I am interested in finding out how a fish’s social interactions influence its early development and subsequent life strategy. Studying at the University of Exeter has provided me with an ideal environment to successfully pursue this study, given the world-class list of fish biology experts amongst its staff, who cover wide-ranging fields including physiology, toxicology, ecology and genetics. Although the fish-related scientists are sub-divided into several teams (e.g. Ecotoxicology and Aquatic Biology Research Group; Marine Spatial Ecology Lab; Molecular Systematics) at the School of Biosciences, cross-links between groups is extensive (almost feels like a big “fishy” family) and we all gain from each others' strengths on a daily basis. In the School there is a healthy balance between senior and young scientist, both post-docs and PhD/MSc students, which gives a very dynamic and friendly feeling to the place. In addition to the science, the Exeter’s University Streatham Campus offers a welcoming surrounding with a number of facilities, from libraries to sports centres to pubs, all enclosed in green garden areas. The city of Exeter represents an outstanding background in which to live, with a wealth of services and a very high quality of life. Being a nature lover, the proximity to Dartmoor and the many nearby beaches in Devon and Cornwall also mean that weekends are always enjoyable
Jeff Murua, BBSRC & Westcountry Rivers Trust-funded PhD: 'The role of social rank in the development, physiology and reproductive strategies in salmonids', University of Exeter, Streatham Campus
Governments around the world are currently spending billions researching the potential of nanoparticles, whose unique properties promise to revolutionize the pharmaceutical and electronics industries as well as provide us with new products such as self-cleaning surfaces and high strength, light weight composite materials. However, little is known about the impact that this booming industry is having and will continue to have on the environment. My PhD focuses on the effect that nanoparticles will have on fish when they inevitably enter the aquatic system. I hope to combine a number of novel analytical and visualisation techniques with more established in vivo exposure methods to help answer this question in what is becoming a multi-disciplinary research field. The University of Exeter offers a setting for postgraduate study that I think provides the best of all worlds: high quality research and expertise in a city university that is surrounded by stunning countryside. The Exeter campus has to be one of the most beautiful in the country and is within walking distance of the city centre from where you can peer through the buildings to the countryside beyond. The School of Biosciences provides a research environment that is both competitive and friendly, where specific problems encountered can be discussed over coffee with colleagues from different research groups. My experience as a PhD student at Exeter has so far been challenging but enjoyable, and it is exciting to be a part of such a progressive and dynamic department.
Tessa Scown, BSc in Biological Sciences, University of Exeter; 2nd year PhD NERC-CASE (Environment Agency) University of Exeter, Streatham Campus: 'The Ecotoxicology of Nanoparticles'
I am currently in my first year of a PhD program investigating early evolution of the eukaryotic cell and horizontal gene transfer. Our approach involves analysing molecular data using phylogenetics and bioinformatics tools to reconstruct the evolution of gene families. My interest in these research topics originated while working on my dissertation at Exeter University as part of my MSc in Bioinformatics. I was investigating the origin and evolution of the newly discovered yeast endocytic anchor known as the Eisosome, and I was impressed by the opportunities for research in molecular phylogenetics and systematics in the post-genomic era. I realised Exeter was the perfect place for me to continue my training in this quickly changing field. What I found here, apart from excellent resources and state of the art equipment, is a positive and supportive academic environment. Guided by two principal investigators in bioinformatics and phylogenetics (Dr Stevens and Dr Richards) we founded the Molecular Ecology & Evolution Group (MEEG). Composed of post-docs and doctoral candidates this group is an ideal environment to share and discuss our research endeavours as well as help us develop communication and presentation skills.
Luigi Cibrario, BBSRC-funded PhD studentship
