Profile
Joanna Harley
Candidate CV questions (extra)
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Education
Holbrook High School, Colchester Sixth Form College, University of Southampton, University of Sheffield
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Qualifications
Holbrook High School: GCSEs: Triple Science, English Language, English Literature, Maths, History, French, Spanish, Music. BTEC Sports Science
Colchester Sixth Forth College: IB: Biology Higher, Chemistry Higher, English Higher, History Higher, French Standard, Maths Studies, Theory of Knowledge
University of Southampton: MSci Marine Biology
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Work History
- Endless barwork during my degree
- Marine Microbiologist – National Oceanography Centre Southampton
- PhD candidate – University of Sheffield
- Kitchen Manager – Pour Sheffield
- Pop-up catering – Turning Earth / Union Street Sheffield
- Organiser/Model/Artist – Anomaly Life Drawing
- Acrobatics teacher – Greentop Community Circus
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Current Job
I am a Research Technician on the Darwin Tree of Life Project. My roles include collection and processing of a broad range of marine organisms for genome sequencing, nucleic acid extraction and barcoding, and cultivation of microalgae. I additionally assist researchers in the Cunliffe group on the MYCO-CARB project, studying the roles of marine fungi in biogeochemical cycles.
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Employer
The Marine Biological Association (MBA)
Joanna Harley is a member of:
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About Me:
Marine microbiologist / biologist who delights in all things that live in the sea, especially those that photosynthesise.
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Read more
I am forever trying to figure out how I can fit in 1000 hobbies and interests into 1 person. Some of these include marine and terrestrial animal/plant/fungi id, LGBTQIA+ politics, social inequality and social justice, cooking, acrobatics, climbing, surfing and painting. My pronouns are they/them.
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My Work:
I am a Marine Biology technician who specialises in microbiology and molecular biology
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Read more
I am mostly found in the lab, cultivating microalgae, working with DNA, or identifying and processing samples for DToL. Sometimes I help out in the field, collecting invertebrates and macroalgae.
One of my main tasks as a molecular biologist, is confirming the identity of our specimens using DNA barcoding techniques. This is where I extract and analyse a small section of the DNA which will tell us which species it is.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Jack-of-all-trades
What or who inspired you to follow your career?
I loved Blue Planet as a kid but my biology teacher encouraged and inspired me to study Biology. I have been particularly inspired by female scientists I have been taught by and worked with.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Biology, easy answer!
What did you want to be after you left school?
Marine Biologist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Sometimes
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Full time artist
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Laura Marling
What's your favourite food?
Ethiopean/Eritrean
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Hitchiked across Europe on my own
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
The fall of capitalism! Teleportation. World Peace.
Tell us a joke.
A marine biology joke? I need to mullet over...
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