Sheryaar

When I was doing my A-levels I originally saw myself as doing Law. I chose my A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and History. I got into Law school at Swansea University until 2 weeks in I had a change of heart!

Instead I did a BSc in Medical Genetics at Swansea University and received (68.81% average). What did I learn? I learnt that using a combination of different learning techniques, was the best for not only knowledge retention but applying my understanding to more difficult topics such as embryology or complex organic chemistry. For example, in embryology I used videos or my friends to get an overview and get a real understanding of the topic, then using lectures/textbooks to hone in on the factual content and then answering questions which helped me identify key issues and common misunderstandings. Using other resources like posters or flashcards were helpful to improve knowledge.

Shortly after gradating from Swansea University with honours, I joined the Wellcome Sanger Institute, as a research scientist in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing. I began to love science again, because my field of research in microbiology helped the work against SARS-CoV-2. Currently, I am involved in the Respiratory Virus and Microbiome initiative (RVI) for further pandemic preparedness. Having experienced the pleasure of immediate benefit of my work, I saw medicine providing similar reward for my endeavours and took the UCAT and GAMSAT. I was quite upset that my first attempt was not good as I hoped but that did not put me off and I re-sat those exams with a better understanding of how to revise efficiently. I developed some techniques in order to stick to a regimented schedule, doing a bit everyday, under the values of ICT (Intensity, Consistency, Timing).

More important than anything was to immerse myself into hobbies outside of education I rediscovered my passion for gym, hiking and rugby, attempting how to boulder but not quite got the hang of it 🙂 Did make it difficult revising when you were sore the next day. During my application for medicine, I embarked on an MSc in Genomic Medicine at Kings and St George’s to keep the “grey cells running” and awaiting a predicted 1st! The icing on the cake was having the opportunity to stay at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in order complete my MSc dissertation on the RVI project with them. For my medicine interview prep I actually got tutored from medic mind and found the tutoring and resources from medic mind was a game changer and allowed me translate soft skills I learnt during my prep to my role in research.

I have been granted an honorary position at the Wellcome Sanger Institute where I have the opportunity to contribute to research and the literature. My particular areas of expertise include Biology, Chemistry and research methodology.