Kelly Lowings Full-time PhD in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, 2010

Scientist with the Health Protection Agency

Hi, I'm Kelly Lowings and I studied Full-time PhD in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity within Medicine at the University of Southampton.

I knew that Medicine at Southampton had a good reputation for its research into this area (infection, inflammation and immunity) so I really wanted to carry on studying there

I was already at the University of Southampton, studying towards a BSc in Physiology and Pharmacology, when I decided to continue with a PhD comparing the inflammatory responses in different tissues.

It was during my second undergraduate year that I discovered a fascination in the immunology and pharmacology of anti-inflammatory drugs.   I knew that Medicine at Southampton had a good reputation for its research into this area so I really wanted to carry on studying there.

The lab I worked in during my BSc had been examining inflammatory responses in human lung tissue.  My PhD research took this a step further, investigating whether inflammatory responses were similar in different tissues such as skin and nasal polyps.

I discovered that in general the responses were similar, although there were some varying tissue-specific effects.

Since finishing my PhD I have been working as a Scientist with the Health Protection Agency investigating the effects of using different manufacturing methods to make vaccines.

When I applied for the job and during my interview I incorporated a lot of the expertise I had gained from my studies.  This included the communication skills I got from presenting at conferences, as well as the experience I acquired in leadership and training by demonstrating practicals to other students.

Having a PhD has helped me to do my job as a scientist better.  I still use a couple of procedures that I learnt during my studies, such as antibody-based techniques which detect proteins in samples.

If I had some advice to give future PhD students it would be to encourage them to join some of the University's societies and to make sure they get to know the other students and staff working in their area.