Profile
Sam Gaughan
Curriculum Vitae
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Education:
Mapperley Plains Primary School, Arnold Hill Academy, University of Nottingham
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Qualifications:
MSci in Natural Sciences (Chemistry/Maths)
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Work History:
I worked at Currys/PC World during my A-levels and the first year of my university degree. I also worked as an Ambassador for my course at Nottingham
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Current Job:
PhD Student
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Employer:
University of Nottingham. Funded by the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) through the CDT (Centre for Doctoral Training) in Sustainable Chemistry
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About Me
I am a PhD student at the University of Nottingham
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I live and work in Nottingham. I really enjoy gaming and have met a lot of great people from all over the world through it. I am trying to learn German (slowly) and I also read and learn about computers, especially new technology. I worked at Currys/PCWorld for a few years which gave me some great life experience, and gave me a huge amount of confidence speaking to people, which has really helped me when communicating my research. I also learned Drama outside of school for 10+ years.
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My Work
I use computer models to learn about the tiny chemical factories called enzymes
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I look at the machines (called enzymes) that the body uses to do all sorts of chemical reactions and use computer models to try to understand how they work, and see if we can change them to make them better, or make them do completely different things!
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My Typical Day: Eat. Calculate. Analyse. Sleep. Repeat.
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A lot of my computer models are calculations that take a long time, so I like to make sure they are running overnight. That means in the morning I usually check on them, see what finished and what else needs doing. Then for the rest of the day I will look at the results, make graphs and work out what they tell me. I also have other things I sometimes do, like presenting my work, listening to others do the same, or having group workshops about coding
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What I'd do with the money
Debunk scientific myths and promote interdisciplinary science and engineering
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I have two main ideas. One is to try and break down the barriers that school students often see between subjects and show them that real science is usually a mix of everything, and its fine not to choose only one subject.
The second is to help the general public debunk some common scientific myths. Some would be lighthearted, but some would be important and serious.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Curious, Helpful and Thoughtful
What's the best thing you've done in your career?
I supported the set up of a postgraduate coding support group and got to meet Sean Riley (the man behind the youtube channel Computerphile)
What or who inspired you to follow your career?
My Year 5 Maths teacher initially, but then a whole bunch of people, from teachers to public figures and book authors
What was your favourite subject at school?
Maths
What did you want to be after you left school?
A scientist, or a doctor, or an astronaut. Anything that seemed cool to me
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes, I had trouble focusing, and sometimes I still do!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Software engineer
Who is your favourite singer or band?
I listen to a lot of things so I don't really have a favourite. I like old bands more, and video game scores.
What's your favourite food?
Lasagne
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Probably help create some code that writes "poems" for you!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To write a book. To be able to work faster. To help fix a big problem like a disease.
Tell us a joke.
Knock knock. Race condition! Who's there?
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