Profile

Photo:

Michael Ellis

My CV

  • Education:

    I went to school in York, where I also attended sixth form, studying Biology, Chemistry and P.E. I then studied Medical Sciences at the University of Leeds, before studying a Master’s in Molecular Medicine, also at Leeds.

  • Qualifications:

    GCSE’s – All core subjects plus History, P.E, German, and I.C.T

    A Levels – Biology, Chemistry, P.E (Physics at AS-Level)

    BSc (Hons) – Medical Sciences

    MSc – Molecular Medicine

  • Work History:

    Cleaner – Squash Club (2013-2015)

    Bartender – Squash Club (2014 – 2015)

    Store Assistant – Primark (Summer 2016)

    Store Assistant – SportsDirect.com (Summers of 2017 and 2018)

    Laboratory Technician (August 2019 – April 2020)

    Research Assistant (April 2020 – April 2021)

    Research Assistant (April 2021 – Present)

  • Current Job:

    Research Assistant

  • Employer:

    University of Oxford

    • About Me:

      I am originally from York, currently living near Oxford and working as a research assistant. I enjoy football, F1 and motorcycle racing, alongside long walks with my lovely dog.

    • Read more

      I have had an interest in science from a young age, being interested in all three, but taking a love for human biology from my A-level biology studies. I then went on to study medical sciences at university which confirmed a desire to pursue a career in research, which I enjoy. I spend a lot of my spare time watching sports, mainly football, F1, and motorcycle racing, trying to attend as many football games for Middlesbrough as I can (which is difficult living at the other end of the country!!). I also have a lovely dog called Bobby, and my partner and I explore new and different places, going on long walks and enjoying the countryside.

    • My pronouns are:

      he/him

    • My Work:

      My research surrounds type 1 diabetes, specifically trying to understand the development and progression of the disease.

    • Read more

      Type 1 diabetes is a serious disease which affects almost 10% of the UK population and can have severe complications if not managed correctly. Type 1 diabetes occurs from the body being unable to produce a hormone called insulin. Insulin regulates the body’s blood sugar level and is produced by the pancreas, an important organ. In diabetes, the insulin-producing cells within the pancreas are attacked by the body’s own immune system, which normally fights off harmful bacteria and viruses, preventing these cells from producing the required levels of insulin. This dysregulates the body’s blood sugar levels, which can lead to serious complications.

      The exact known cause of type 1 diabetes is not known, but we are investigating how and why the pancreas stops producing insulin. Our main area of interest is investigating the role of a protein called Tau, which is linked to a number of different neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. We use lots of different methods to study this protein, from DNA/RNA methods to protein investigations, with the ultimate aim of attempting to understand how type 1 diabetes occurs and develops.

    • My Typical Day:

      I wake up at around 6:30, take the dog a nice long walk before having breakfast and leaving for work, arriving at around 9am. I then plan my day, planning any experiments before heading to the lab. After completing some experiments, I will take a break for lunch and then head back to the lab to finish off any work before leaving at around 5pm.

    • Read more

      My day in the lab can vary quite significantly depending on what experiments are in progress and what is needed to be done. Some days will be spent doing a very long experiment, sometimes taking 2/3 days to complete. Whilst other days will be spend analysing data, attending meetings, and planning future experiments. It varies day to day and is one of the reasons why I love research, it is very unpredictable and keeps you on your toes.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I would use the prize money arrange visit days for students to visit labs across various institutions. This will enable students to have tours around an active lab, potentially doing some basic experiments. I believe there is a lack of understanding from how research is perceived (through media, TV, and film), to how it actually is in reality. I think it is essential for students to see how a working lab operates, and how experiments are actually performed, and whether it is something they would like to pursue as a future career. Creating a link between research and students is essential for future generations to have a clear understanding of research, and hopefully it makes research a more attractive prospect for students to peruse.

    • My Interview

      • What did you want to be after you left school?

        Footballer

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Only for talking too much

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        A secondary school science teacher

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Oasis

        What's your favourite food?

        Chilli con carne with nachos

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        To have an invisibility power, to have a photographic memory, and £10 million

        Tell us a joke.

        How do you make an octopus laugh? With ten-tickles!

Questions answered by Michael

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