Profile
Vanessa Ward
My CV
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Education:
Broughton Infant School, Aylesbury, Bucks.
Grange Primary School, Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Orwell High School, Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge (now Anglia Ruskin University).
University of Suffolk, Ipswich. -
Qualifications:
10 GCSE’s grade A-C
3 ‘A’ Levels in Biology, Chemistry & Geography
BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science
MSc in Regenerative Medicine -
Work History:
I have had many different jobs starting with working in a dry cleaners as a student. After my first degree, I worked for a company that made medical test kits, where I sold the products worldwide and became the Technical Manager.
After having my children, I ran my own business from home, before going back to university for my masters degree.
I then worked in quality assurance and regulatory affairs for two other companies. Throughout this time I gained lot of very valuable business experience and skills but always dreamed of studying for a PhD and working in medical research. -
Current Job:
I am currently studying for a PhD in Regenerative Medicine. I am also a Graduate Teaching Assistant, helping the lecturer’s teach the students doing their science degrees.
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About Me:
I am a PhD researcher working with stem cells to study osteoarthritis. I have a passion for science and love to learn something new every day.
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I live in the beautiful Suffolk countryside with my two sons, old diabetic cat and two guinea pigs. I love the tranquil country life and am lucky to work in a lab with a beautiful view over the Ipswich waterfront. When I’m not working, I practice yoga, enjoy gardening and cooking. I couldn’t live without music, which is my other passion alongside medical sciences.
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I am using special cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that can change to become any type of cell in the body, if you grow them with the right culture media (cell food). My work is to change them to become the type of cells that affect people with osteoarthritis. This disorder affects our joints, like our knees and hips, mainly affecting the cartilage on the end of bones. I will be growing the cells to become cartilage, bone and other types of cells that our joints are made up of. These cells can then be tested to understand how they behave when someone has osteoarthritis.
Stem Cell Colony under the microscope
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My Typical Day:
When I get to the lab, I set up all of my equipment. I am growing cells, so I look at them under a microscope and make notes in my lab book of how they are behaving. Are they growing fast or not growing at all? Are they changing to become other type of cells? I spend the day working with the cells in the lab to give them what they need to keep growing and do experiments with them to understand their behaviour.
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The lab I work in is on the fourth floor of this building at the University of Suffolk. The views over the waterfront are stunning every day, rain or shine.
James Hehir Building, University of Suffolk
View of Ipswich waterfront from the lab at night
I usually grow cells in a 6 well plate. Most days I feed the cells by giving them fresh culture media, which is a special liquid with the right nutrients they need to grow. The cells can grow very fast, so sometimes, when there are lots, I “split” the cells to new wells, so they have more room to grow.
6 well plate used to grow cells
I also do tests to see what type of cells they are and how they are behaving. This picture shows the stem cell colonies stained pink. There are lots of different, interesting tests I do to check what type of cells they are.
Stem cells tested with alkaline phosphatase
Some tests stain the cells with colours that are fluorescent, so I look at them with a special microscope that can see them glow. This lets me see what is inside the cells. The blue dots in this picture are the cell nuclei where the DNA is. Each dot in this picture is a different cell in the colony of stem cells. The red colour shows another protein in the cell (here it is called “actin”). Different markers are used to look for different parts of the cell and these help us understand what type of cell it is and how it is behaving.
Stem cell colony stained with fluorescent markers
Every day I write what I’ve done in my lab book as its very important to keep a record of all the tests that are done.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Genuine, open-minded, caring
What did you want to be after you left school?
Doctor/Medical Researcher
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Nope, although I did have a detention once!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
KT Tunstall
What's your favourite food?
Crispy duck pancakes with hoisin sauce
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To stay healthy, to contribute to humanity, to inspire others to do the same.
Tell us a joke.
Why did the firefly get bad grades in school? He wasn't very bright!
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