What did you study at A-level (or equivalent) and why did you select those subjects?
I studied Maths, English, Human Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Physics at Higher, then Chemistry and Biology at Advanced Higher in Scotland. I really liked science at school and luckily I was quite good at it. I knew I wanted to do something sciencey so adding in Maths, English and Psychology felt like I was keeping my options relatively open.
What degree/PhD did you study?
I completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences, with honours in Reproductive Biology, at the University of Edinburgh. I enjoyed it so much that I stayed on to complete a Master’s by Research in Reproductive Science. This passion for understanding reproductive health eventually brought me to Liverpool, where I’m now working towards a PhD in Women’s Health.
My research focuses on uterine fibroids—very common, non-cancerous growths found in the muscle of the womb. I’m investigating why fibroids affect some women but not others, and by studying their biology, I hope to help identify new treatment options and develop better laboratory models to understand them.
What inspired you to choose and study your degree subject?
I’ve always been really interested in how the human body works, especially when it comes to hormones and reproduction — it just felt like such an important area that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves! Women’s health is a fascinating area, and I was really lucky to be taught by and work with some of the women leading the field early on in my career, which was very inspiring!
I also liked that biomedical sciences covered a broad range of topics, so I could explore different areas (like neuroscience and immunology) before specialising for my honours project. Once I started learning more about reproductive biology, I realised it was something I genuinely enjoyed and wanted to keep digging into. I am now working in Women’s health and this is a field which is so easy to become invested in.
What key skills did you learn at university?
As an undergraduate, I learned much more than just scientific theories. Lab sessions gave me hands-on experience with a range of practical techniques, and they also introduced me to the fundamentals of scientific writing, critical thinking, and data analysis. I developed the ability to interpret results, troubleshoot experiments, and communicate findings clearly—skills that have continued to serve me well.
I also had the opportunity to take modules which weren’t science, so I took a business course in my first year. This taught me totally different skills and really opened my mind up to another potential career route!
Beyond the lab and lectures, university taught me how to manage my time effectively, balance competing deadlines, and work both independently and as part of a team. I also discovered how I learn best, which helped me to take ownership of my own studies and stay motivated through challenges. Presenting my work to peers and lecturers built my confidence in public speaking, and group projects taught me how to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
What jobs have you had during your career?
Through school, I worked as a waitress in a local restaurant, then I became a lifeguard and worked at a health club. When COVID hit, I started working at Sainsbury’s until I started my PhD. Now I do some work as a demonstrator/marking exams and correcting the closed captions on lectures.
Like most students, these jobs were (and still are) to help me make ends meet while I study, however, they have all taught me a lot about working in teams and different environments, which has influenced my work today.
What is your current job and what do you enjoy about it?
At the moment, my ‘job’ is my PhD, as I am very fortunate to be fully funded for four years by the Discovery Medicine North Doctoral Training Programme (DiMeN DTP).
My favourite thing about doing my PhD is being able to deep dive into my field and go down some of the random rabbit holes, as this is what takes the research into totally new directions and can lead to the most interesting findings.
Similarly, I make the most of the fact that doing a PhD doesn’t mean you have to be in the labs 24/7 or even strictly 9-5. I can make things work for me and my other activities. For example, I co-host a podcast called Between 2 Ovaries with colleagues Eleanor Bristow, Nicola Tempest and Alison Maclean. This project means a lot of time spent planning episodes, recording in the studio and then checking before episodes are released. The flexibility of my PhD means I can really apply myself to this passion project.
I am also a big extrovert, so I love working in a big team and being able to collaborate with lots of different people across the university and the country! This not only helped me advance my research and learning but also allowed me to meet some really amazing people.
Do you have an area of expertise / research?
As an early stage researcher, I am still finding my niche and establishing my area of expertise in uterine biology. The human womb is a remarkable organ – undergoing huge remodelling to carry a pregnancy, or cyclical scarless injury and repair during periods. Despite its unique and important function, we don’t know enough about it to be able to effectively treat people when these functions go wrong in conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding and infertility.
To date, I have worked on heavy menstrual bleeding and iron deficiency anaemia, endometriosis and now my PhD focuses on uterine fibroids. I am trying to understand more of the biology which underpins fibroids – why do some women get them and others don’t? Why are some cases asymptomatic, while others suffer debilitating symptoms everyday? And what can we do to treat them better – the main goal of my PhD (and I imagine one that will leak over into my future career) is to make care more personalised to each patient to improve their quality of life more quickly and without the need for major surgery to remove the whole womb!
What has been your most exciting project or career role?
My PhD so far has been, and continues to be, the most exciting project! It is my first taste of independent research and I am getting the chance to work with those leading the field of women’s health research. In my project, I get to use advanced, multi-omic laboratory approaches, including Spatial Transcriptomics and Proteomics, as well as develop an organ on a chip model of fibroids in the lab.
What are your top tips for working in your industry/sector?
- Care about what you do! - I don’t think you can really survive the rollercoaster that is research unless you are really motivated, invested and enthused by the field you are working on.
- Stay curious and open-minded – Science is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay up to date with new techniques, emerging literature, and fresh perspectives. Some of the most exciting discoveries come from asking unexpected questions.
- Get comfortable with failure – Not everything will work the first time (or the fifth!). Learning to troubleshoot, reflect, and keep going is key in research.
- Build your network – Collaborations, both academic and clinical, can really enrich your work. Go to seminars, connect with people at all career stages, and don’t be afraid to reach out—science is a team sport.
- Keep your communication clear – Whether it’s writing papers, presenting findings, or explaining your work to patients or the public, clear communication is essential. If you can explain your work simply, it shows you really understand it – think about explaining it to an 11 year old!
- Look after your wellbeing – Research can be intense, so it’s vital to set boundaries and take breaks. Sustainable success comes from pacing yourself and finding balance.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Keep working hard and not to give up! Science is a really hard field to crack. You have the daily struggles of lab work – things very rarely go perfectly and smoothly! I know there is still a lot of turbulent times to come with applying for funding and fellowships, so you really do have to keep working, remember what got you motivated in the first place and do not give up!
Why are you passionate about your subject / career / STEM?
Women’s health is seriously underfunded, under recognised and under-researched. Despite making up more than half of the global population, females have long been overlooked in medical research, which has traditionally focused on male biology. Periods, endometriosis, fibroids, and chronic pelvic pain are still treated as taboo. But no one should be held back by their biology.
Working in women’s health, it is impossible to ignore the gaps in our knowledge, so many things are still half answered at best. Treatment options are still so limited and even the ones we do have are commonly misunderstood. Patients often feel dismissed or unsupported, simply because the science hasn’t caught up with their lived experiences.
Being involved in public engagement has been especially motivating for me—hearing people’s stories and struggles makes it clear how urgent the need is for better research and better care. It’s this direct connection between science and real-world impact that drives me every day.
More resources:
Between 2 Ovaries Podcast: Listen here and follow on Instagram here
Keep up to date with Lorna on LinkedIn