1. How did you get into engineering?
Engineering found me! I had a million different career ideas as a kid, none of them related to engineering! I started an apprenticeship with BMW at 18 as I liked cars and wanted to be able to fix my own. I got fed up with spending all my time replacing components rather than fixing or building things. I also loved the F1 so thought I'd try and get into race car design, I started University 10 years ago and never left!
2. Explain to us in basic terms what your research is about
My research looks at developing environmentally friendly lubricants to replace toxic mineral oil-based ones, it's very glamorous! This mainly involves lots of testing, analysing wear scars and wishing I'd done a chemistry degree.
3. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
This would be amazing! There aren't enough hours in the day. I'd probably do another degree, in either chemistry, medicine or law, or all of them!
4. What job would you be terrible at?
Anything that involves repetitive tasks, I have a short attention span! I'd also make a terrible air steward, I'm terrified of flying!
5. What's the last book you've read?
I'm currently reading 2 books, 'Bad Feminist' and 'How to be a woman'. I'm clearly having a bit of an identity crisis, I definitely feel like I'm a bad feminist sometimes, and I really have no idea how to be a woman (often asked 'are you sure you're a woman'). I'm hoping these books give me the reassurance/validation I'm looking for.
6. What could you give a 30-minute presentation on, with absolutely no preparation?
Probably has something to do with nutrition, I spend a lot of my procrastinating time reading nutrition/medical papers!!
7. Where is the most interesting place you've been?
I couldn't pick one! I never travel to the same place twice if I can help it. I didn't travel much before coming to uni, so I feel the need to make up for some missed exploring. There are interesting things everywhere I go, whether it's a little village in the deepest darkest Wales or a big city in the US! They're just different types of interesting.
8. What's the best concert you've attended?
See answer 7! Tramlines were really good this year, Reverend and the Makers followed by Noel was a beautiful evening! Temples at the Leadmill was also one of the best gigs I've been to. My best gig ever will be when Oasis reform and play all my hand-picked play list!
9. What do you have in your pockets right now?
Nothing, pockets on women's clothes aren't generally practical!
10. Who would you like to swap places with for a day?
The Prime Minister, I could definitely straighten everything out in a day.