Profile
Amber Palmer
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About Me:
Hi I’m Amber! I live in South Wales ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ and I am a PhD student researching infectious disease spread ๐ฆ . I love science, maths and computers but I also love video games, food and music.ย
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I studied Biomedical Science at University ๐งช๐ฑ๐งฌ. During this, I realised how important maths ๐ข can be to understand biology. This led me to my PhD which involves using maths to investigate how infectious diseases spread.ย
I am interested in diseases which are spread between humans (like COVID and the Flu) and diseases that are spread from insects (such as mosquitoes and ticks) to humans.ย
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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How does my work involve computers?:
I develop models to look at how diseases spread between people. All these models are made with computers. I spend lots of time coding! ๐ข๐ป
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My Work:
I use maths, biology and computers to look at how infectious diseases spread between people and how best we can stop this from happening (for example by wearing masks and shutting schools). ๐งฌ๐ข๐ป
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My work includes:
– Biology – understanding the biology behind how diseases spread informs the mathematical models
– Maths – using maths to calculate how many people are likely to become infected
– Software development – I spend lots of time coding!
– Training/Learning – I spend lots of time reading and attending lectures to learn more about science and maths
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My Typical Day:
I wake up early โ๏ธ(I am very much a morning person!) and get ready for the day. Sometimes I work from home and sometimes I work in an office. My mornings are usually spent reading ๐or developing models๐ป. During my lunch break I like to walk my dog ๐ถ๐. I finish around 4/5pm and then play some video games.ย
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In the first part of my day (9-1pm) – I do the big tasks for the day such as reading big papers. I always do this with a coffee! โ
At lunchtime (1-2pm) – I have a meal (this changes all the time!) and take my dog for a walk.
In the afternoon (2-5pm) – I do smaller tasks like emails or going to lectures.
After work (5pm onwards) – I play video games, listen to music and eat dinner. ๐ถ๐
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Education:
Secondary school – Croesyceiliog comprehensiveย
College/Sixth form – Hereford Sixth Form College
University – Cardiff Universityย
Now – University of Bristol
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Qualifications:
GCSEs – Maths, Double Award Science, English language and literature, Welsh, History, RE, Numeracy, IT
A levels – Biology, Psychology, Sociologyย
Integrated Master’s degree – Biomedical Sciences
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Work History:
2019-2025 – Play and Wellbeing Support Worker
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Current Job:
PhD Student in Engineering Mathematics
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Employer:
University of Bristol
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Music-loving epidemiologist
What did you want to be after you left school?
A biologist!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Twenty one Pilots
What's your favourite food?
Pizza
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