Profile
Katie Barnes
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About Me:
Hello! I’m a PhD student at Newcastle university researching the effects on climate change on the railway system. Outside of that I love to be creative weather that is painting, crocheting or learning a new song on the guitar 🙂
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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How does my work involve computers?:
I write computer code to build a model that test how the railway system in the UK will cope with the effects of climate change. This lets me run simulations and share the results with the railway company Network Rail.
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My Work:
I help protect the railway from climate change by studying how weather affects train tracks. I use science, maths, and computers to predict problems and help railway companies fix them before they happen
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My Typical Day:
I wake up at about 8am and read my book. I then have my breakfast (the best meal of the day). I like to work in a café in the morning most days as most of my work is computer based so I can work from wherever I want! I read lots of books and articles written by other scientists to help me learn more about my research
I then have some lunch before heading into the office to see my colleagues and working on my computer to write some code to model the train tracks.
After work I like to watch a film with a big bowl of popcorn and usually do some sort of craft activity like drawing, crocheting or painting.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
My research is focused on the effects of climate change so I would love to use the prize money to spread the word! My other passion is crafting, and I think by combining the two it will be a great way to both learn more about global warming and climate change whilst also getting your creative juices flowing
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Education:
I went to school at South Hunsley, In East Yorkshire.
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Qualifications:
For my options for GCSE I chose Music, Art, Spanish and Geography. I then did my A levels in Math, Biology, Chemistry and Further Maths because I wanted to do Natural Sciences at University so I had to know a lot about science to get in 🙂
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Work History:
I have had a lot of part time jobs while I was studying. My first job was at my village Pub as a waitress – I want very good as I’m quite clumsy! This also means I’m not very good in a chemistry Lab so I do computer experiments instead :). I have also worked in a club at university serving all the students on nights out and as an admin assistant before I got my PhD at Newcastle.
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Current Job:
My current job is a bit different. I am a PhD student so It means I get paid a living stipend rather than a normal salary. But it also means I get to learn a lot day to day and by the end ill be able to call myself a doctor. For my PhD I am researching how we will measure the long term effects of climate change on the UK Railway system
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Employer:
My PhD is sponsored by Network Rail. This means that they pay my tuition fees and living stipend while I help research information that might help them improve the railway. I work on predicting how climate change might affect trains and tracks, so Network Rail can plan ahead and keep the railway running safely.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
crafty climate scientist
What did you want to be after you left school?
weather presenter
Were you ever in trouble at school?
not really - I was very quiet and shy
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
If I was good enough I'd love to be an artist but I dont think you have to be good to enjoy it of course :)
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Gerry Cinnamon
What's your favourite food?
Chinese Takeaway
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I wish to have a job that I enjoy and is inspiring, I a big grand piano in my living room and I also wish I could take unlimited holidays abroad without it hurting the climate
Tell us a joke.
Why did the biologist break up with the physicist? They had no chemistry :)
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