Our Alumni Wing Ki (Catherine) Wong talks about her post graduate studies at The University of Oxford

Personal details
First Name:	Wing Ki (Catherine)
Last Name:	Wong
Department(s):	Bioengineering
Academic status (Undergraduate/Postgraduate):	Undergraduate
Course(s)/Qualification(s):	BEng(Hons) Bioengineering
Graduation year:	2016
Nationality:	British
Employer details
Job title:	DPhil in Statistics
Employer name:	University of Oxford
What does your employer do?	Research
Location:	Oxford, United Kingdom
Industry sector:	Higher Education
Website:	http://www.ox.ac.uk
About the job
What are your main responsibilities?	Carry out my research on antibody-antigen interface characterisation.
Can you describe a typical day?	I begin my day with a morning jog, followed by breakfast, and then I go into the office. We have eight DPhil students in my office. Usually we set our mornings focussing on our own research. After having lunch with my research group, we typically have meetings with our supervisor or among ourselves to discuss our research. My research group and department are very open and collaborative. These discussions can often lead to exciting side projects, if not an improvement in our respective research area. At the end of each day, my group tends to clock out at reasonable hours to achieve a good balance between work and life. Sometimes I attend talks and networking events after work, exploiting the enormous amount of opportunities in Oxford. Otherwise, I go home, relax and prepare for the next day of exciting research!
What is the most rewarding aspect of your current role or your greatest career achievement so far?	My project attracted industrial partnership, which means that together with the scientists in pharmaceutical companies, I can find application of my research in real life. My greatest career achievement so far is having a first-author research article in my first year of research, along with another co-authored manuscript.
Are there any challenging aspects? If so, what are they?	Working with some of the most talented and hardworking people means that one would always expect to be an expert and lead in their own niche, which occasionally pushes oneself too far with the pressure.
What skills/qualifications from your degree or other training do you make use of in your job?	As a computational researcher, my programming knowledge gained from my Bachelor course was extremely useful, along with the skills to work in an interdisciplinary team and being able to communicate technical details to non-experts.
How have these skills or your course made a difference in your career?	Being able to write and optimise algorithms that help extract insights from data is a crucial skill in carrying out my current research. In order to work with scientists coming from different backgrounds, my prior exposure to both experimental and computational lab work during my degree prepares me well for such task.

University experience
Why did you choose to study at Sheffield rather than another institution?	Sheffield has vast opportunities in engaging with research, even at an undergraduate level.
Did your time at Sheffield meet your expectations?	It exceeded my expectation, with three research placement opportunities over my three-year course.
What were the best things about studying in the Department?	The balance between breadth and depth in an interdisciplinary course.
Career information
Please give a brief history since leaving University	I was selected to receive a four-year EPSRC scholarship, and I am currently in my third year.
Where do you see yourself in the future?	I would very much like to be involved with research and development in an interdisciplinary setting.
Advice to students
If you could give one piece of advice to current students or recent graduates, what would it be?	Dream big, then research thoroughly on how your department / current institution can help you achieve your goal!

My Adventure on Monsal Trail in Bakewell, Peak District by Michelle Nyamai

Monday, 5 March 2018

The trail is one of the main attractions in Bakewell – a small town in the peak district, an hour away from the city centre by bus. I would say the population is mostly retirees which explains the slow paced, relaxed environment the small town gives. The Monsal trail is an 8 1/2 mile walk or for my fellow metric system users, 13.7 kilometres. It follows the path of a former railway line. I must admit it wasn’t what I thought it would be. I expected a narrow trail winding up and down the lush vegetation of the park but instead I got a level trail with gravel and cold well-lit tunnels and the occasional buildings. Underwhelming at first but with a little patience, there are no more houses along the trail. It becomes an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

 

Headstone tunnel

 

A word of advice, hire a bike unless you are a regular walker or hiker. A learning point for me was when I got to the end of the trail and realised I hadn’t quite thought about how I would get back. Apparently the two cycle hire companies at either end of the trail don’t work together so you can’t hire a bike at one end and return it to the hire site at the other end of the trail.

I tried my best to take photographs but phones can only capture so much of the real beauty behind the lens. They leave out the depth, the expansiveness of the environment.

 

Along the trail, there are footpaths that go into reserves that are inhabited by over 200 species of plants and some animals as well as insects. Just at the end of the Litton tunnel, a footpath creeps to the top of the tunnel and leads you to an amazing view of the cliffs and the river down below.

 Above Litton tunnel

Limestone kiln

Apart from the historical sites, the community is extremely friendly. As you walk along the trail, people greet you and say good morning with a smile on their faces. After the first few people you come across, you get the hang of it and before you know it your greeting people all the way along the trail.

I would recommend the trail on one of your free weekends to take in nature and free your mind.

The #1 Students’ Union in the UK

Monday, 15 May 2017

Written By: Haseeb Iqbal

Run for the students, by the students! One of the best highlights at the University of Sheffield is the Sheffield Students’ Union which has made its students proud by being ranked as the best SU in the country for NINE YEARS consecutively! So, what is the Students’ Union? And what makes ours better than the rest? Well, you’re about to find out.

Aim
The aim of the Students’ Union is to represent all the students at a local and national level, making sure all students are catered for in order to provide them with the best possible student experience throughout their time at Sheffield.

SU Officers
The SU is run by a fantastic team of SU officers which are elected every year by the 26,000 student population of the University of Sheffield. Their job is to make sure that the SU runs smoothly, and to represent the student voice!

Services and Facilities
The SU makes every possible effort that every single student has a wonderful time as a student in Sheffield. Hence, students are provided with a wide range of services in the SU and a few of them are as follows:

SSID: The Student Services Information Desk is your student guide at Sheffield, where the staff is always there to guide you if you are unsure about anything, literally anything!

Student Advice Centre: The SAC aims to provide support to students who are facing any difficulties during their time at Sheffield. Whether it’s mental stress, homesickness, or social anxiety, the SAC always offers a helping hand.

JobShop: This the place where students can go if they’re looking from employment during or after their studies. They are more than happy to assist you in job applications, interviews and even advertise vacancies for students to avail.

Activities and Sports Zone: This is the perfect place for students to get involved within the University, the SU and even the local community. You can choose from a list of activities to go for, all the way for volunteering for a local charity or learning a new language through our ‘Give it a Go’ service.

Box Office: The box office if our one-stop-shop to get tickets for all the events happening around the SU, whether it’s a day trip to Cambridge or a Give it a Go Salsa class.

Film Unit: The Film Unit organizes cheap screenings of both the latest movies and the old classics for a truly catered experience.

Foundry: The Foundry organizes the SU’s very own night outs, hosts competitions like the annual Battle of the Bands and has welcomed quite a few well-renowned DJs over the years. It has also been nominated for the ‘Best Night Outs in Sheffield’ award.

Societies and clubs
The SU also has a list of more than 200 societies ranging from cultural and sports so that all students, regardless of their interests and hobbies, can find a variety of extra-curricular activities and socials to be a part of. However, if you can’t find anything of interest, you can start your very own student society!

With a wonderful range of facilities provided by a friendly group of staff and students, the SU is the pride of all Sheffield students during and even after their time at Sheffield. With a diverse student population and an exposure which is second to none, the SU has provided the perfect platform for all students to gain a variety of skills while having an extraordinary time at Sheffield.

More information about the Sheffield SU: http://su.sheffield.ac.uk/

Travel Vibes: LONDON

By: Hemanshi Galaiya

London is not just one of the fashion capitals but also one of the most eccentric cities I have ever come across. After a long trying semester I needed some time to unwind relax and get some change from university life. Hence, I logged onto my computer, booked a last minute bus ticket, packed my bags and headed to the bus station early next morning.

I was taken by the city vibes as soon as the bus hit the London borders. The tall buildings, Victorian architecture and bright sunny day added a cherry to my leisure packed long weekend. I hit the streets as soon as I put my bags down. I decided to spend my days meeting up with friends, feasting to my hearts delight and being a mainstream tourist.

We started with the classic spots and while we were at it, why not take some of the most cliché pictures.

From pretending to make a call at the ‘ancient’ telephone booths to posing in front of the London Eye, from the ‘visiting’ the Queen outside the Buckingham Palace to taking pictures of mimes and m&m models; and from experiencing my first tube ride to going to Lego world.

I spent my second day shopping at spots like Oxford Street and Covent Garden; buying souvenirs and eating pizzas, burgers and everything I could possibly get my hands on – now you know the secret of my puffy cheeks :P.

We then headed to Trafalgar Square where I experienced a moving act of solidarity. Several of the traffic lights shone light to support gender equality, homosexuality and child rights.

 

On my last day in the city, we packed our gear, took our coats and headed out for a day filled with activities. We headed down to the shopping mall where we spent some quality time at the arcade and have an incredibly competitive bowling game and of course the day included trying a variety of cuisines.

With all said and done I headed back to Sheffield and with a relieved heart, relaxed mind and recharged body all prepared to tackle the new semester.

Student Hotspots: Peddler Night Market and the delights of Kelham Island by Rishi Parwani

Friday, 3 March 2017

Just when you thought there wasn’t any other restaurant or food-related event left that I could review, I bring to you what was one of the more interesting food experiences I’ve had since coming to Sheffield! Taking place on the first Friday and Saturday of every month (which is perfectly fitting for this coming weekend), the Peddler Night Market is definitely a must-attend event if you are looking for a different eating out experience.

Having grown up in the Middle East, I’m quite lucky in the sense that the weather has afforded me the opportunity to go to a lot of outdoor food markets so when I heard about Peddler Night Market, my first thought was whether or not it would rain – putting me off from going during my first year. I finally went this year and I’m so glad that I did! I will stop yacking about my life now so I can tell you a little bit more about the Peddler Night market.

Located on Kelham Island, Peddler Night Market is an event attended by masses of people from Sheffield. Essentially, the market consists of food stalls of a variety of cuisines including American, Chinese, Italian, Brazilian, British, Japanese and the list just goes on. The market is also dotted with some really funky food trucks consisting of calorie-inducing desserts and there is also a bar on site selling traditional craft beer. You can’t begin to imagine how many times I walked around the market trying to find something to eat because when it comes to food, I feel the need to make the optimal decision on what to get. My friends already had their food in minutes but I took my sweet time and finally settled for a Brazilian Linguica (sausage).

The piping hot sausage was drizzled in caramelised onions and sauce in a toasted roll. Coupled with the rainy weather, this delicacy went down like a treat instantly warming me up. It was absolutely delicious and I instantly felt satisfied with taking my time to find my dinner.

The atmosphere at Peddler Night Market is absolutely brilliant too! Despite the rainy weather, live bands were there in full force singing and playing their hearts out. There is usually also a DJ playing a set which really does make for a fun and relaxed evening out. Our dinner didn’t end there though because how can we forget dessert?

Upon recommendation from a friend, we went to the Depot Bakery situated very close by to the market in Kelham Island. I had heard of this bakery for the longest time but never made the trip down there so I was excited about finally trying it out. Depot Bakery’s hipster and surprisingly quiet ambiance was a break from the music playing outside in the market, it’s a perfect place to nip in for a coffee and catch-up after grabbing some dinner.

The donuts (pictured above) looked absolutely heavenly but I decided on trying their famous brownies which one of my friends raved about. I must confirm that the brownies were absolutely amazing, they weren’t too soft nor were they too hard and the flavours were so unique. From what I can remember, there was a cheesecake flavour, a chocolate flavour and a Bailey’s flavour – all of which were just impeccable. I definitely recommend trying them!

So there you have it, a perfect evening consisting of live music and good food, what more could you possibly want? The market will be taking place on 3^rd and 4^th March so don’t miss out for this month!

Location: 92 Burton Road, Kelham Island, S3 8BX

Timings: 5-11pm on Friday and 2-11pm on Saturday