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Nick Lynch

    • About Me:

      Live in Woburn Sands, UK with my partner. Our son has left home and studying for a PhD. Play tennis and cycle when I can. I work in drug discovery using technology to help discover new medicines.

    • My pronouns are:

      he / him

    • My Work:

      My role is all about using science and technology to make new and better medicines. Am part of a much larger team to do this as its takes 100s of people to produce new medicines and often from lots of different countries

    • Read more

      I went to Bristol University, studied Medicinal Chemistry. This is like mixing science with medicine to help create new medicines. After university, I worked in the life science software industry. Helped create computer programs that scientists use to understand chemicals and data.

      Then worked for a big company called AstraZeneca and other biotech companies. Led teams from around the world to work on projects that help discover new medicines.  Really enjoyed working with colleagues to help share important research data between different groups and made sure everything worked smoothly together.

    • My Typical Day:

      Get up around 6:30 am.

      When I wake up I have breakfast – cereal (always wheat biscuits), banana and then toast!

      I work from home alot so am often have early meetings as work with colleagues in India, Japan who are ahead of UK time.

      Then will be working on projects, talking to colleagues in meetings etc

      In the evenings I may play tennis or go for a cycle

    • Read more

      We mostly work remotely with our customers who are in US and Europe so we have lots of meetings and work on our own to get projects completed

      We use Zoom and Slack to collaborate with our colleagues as well. I have work colleagues in Sweden, Germany, US and also in UK.

      Our work is mostly about the data that is collected when scientists run experiments.

      Here is an example of why data is key to working in science

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      Imagine you’re a science detective trying to solve a mystery! In a scientific experiment, the mystery is how something works. Data is like your clues that help you figure it out.

      Here’s how scientists collect data:

      1. Setting Up the Scene: First, they have a question. Maybe they wonder if a plant grows faster in sunlight or shade. They design an experiment like a mini play. There’s a control group, which is like the normal plant living a regular life (no shade, no special treatment). Then there’s the experimental group, which gets something different, like being placed in the shade.

      2. Finding Clues: Now comes the detective work! Scientists use tools to measure stuff. They might use a ruler to track how tall the plants grow each day. Maybe they use a light meter to check the amount of sunshine. These measurements are your data – like fingerprints at a crime scene!

      3. Writing it Down: Scientists carefully write down all their observations. They might draw pictures of the plants or take photographs to see how they change. Every little detail is a clue!

      4. Putting the Pieces Together: Once they have collected data for a while, they look at all the clues together. Did the plant in the shade grow slower? Maybe sunlight is like food for plants! By analysing the data, scientists can answer their question and solve the mystery.

      So, next time you see a scientist in a lab coat, remember they’re on a data collection mission, using clues to solve scientific mysteries!

       

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      Help a school set up a STEM club and with funding extra equipment for the school

    Candidate CV questions (extra)

    • Qualifications:

      I am old enough to have done O-Levels

      4 A levels – Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths

      University Degree – Chemistry – Bristol University

      PhD – Medicinal Chemistry Bristol University

      Project Management and extra stats courses

       

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        data science cyclist

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        Something in science but was not sure and was hoping University would help with that

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Yes, we threw our form teacher, who was leaving, into the swimming pool

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

        Medical Doctor

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Joy Division

        What's your favourite food?

        Bananas and cereal with milk

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

        Liverpool to win Premier League

        Tell us a joke.

        Did you hear oxygen went on a date with potassium? It went OK