Profile
Arlene McBroom
My CV
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Education:
Strathclyde University
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Qualifications:
MChem Forensic and Analytical Chemistry
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Work History:
GSK
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Current Job:
Physical Properties Analyst
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My main job is to characterise contaminants found within the production process/ sent via customer complaints and to identify where they may have come from. My area of expertese is within chemical imaging – which is basically fancy photography techniques to see very small things! This can include x-raying samples to look inside them .
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My Typical Day:
My day is split into three main categories; holding consultations with customers, working in the lab (doing the cool work) and then writing reports/presenting results to customers.
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I consult with customers to discuss what their issue is and what the best way to analyse the samples would be. I also have to discuss the priority of the project with them and then prioritise based on other projects i have on at the time to provide them with a realistic deadline.
I then analyse the sample – whether this be using spectroscopic techniques to get a chemical identity or use chemical imaging techniques to look at the sample.
I write up my findings into a scientific report and present this to the customer/ department concerned. This is sometimes the most dificult stage as 90% of my customers have no scientific background.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Invest in a local school.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
ambitious, confident, sarcastic
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes, probably a lot more than i should have been….Oops!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Twin Atlantic
What's your favourite food?
Curry
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Own a Ferrari, win a nobel prize and travel the world
Tell us a joke.
Two scientists walk into a bar… one asys “I’ll have H2O” the other says “I’ll have H2O too”….he dies.
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