Graduate Profiles

Russell Davenport: BSc Microbiology (1989)

RCUK Academic Fellow, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University.

"My whole experience was great; it was a chance to meet a wide range of intelligent people of various backgrounds.  The course was also good.  Leeds was and still is a great city, both culturally and socially, offering great art galleries, museums, theatres, music venues from the ‘Duchess of York’ to the ‘West Indian Centre’ and the University and Polytechnic [now Leeds Metropolitan University], pubs, restaurants and clubs.  Its’ location and ease to get into the surrounding beautiful countryside was also attractive, and which I made the most of, travelling away most weekends.  I became an active member of the Expedition Society, helping to resurrect it and organise/participate in two expeditions.  I was also President of the Microbiology Society.

I wanted to do a PhD, because I had a passionate interest in science, in particular microbiology.  I did not do this straight away because I did not get the required grade (a Desmond Tutu; too much time involved in expeditions and Societies!).  For two years, post graduation I worked in a company, owned by Yorkshire Water, which specialised in the biological treatment of industrial wastewater.  I thereby got to use some of the knowledge I’d gained through my degree.  Subsequently, I did an MSc in Industrial Biotechnology, Newcastle University.  I got a Distinction because all the stuff I’d learnt in my BSc Honours degree in Leeds suddenly fell in to place! I went on to do a PhD in Newcastle – Department of Civil Engineering, consolidating all my years of microbiology training and industrial experience to study the microbiology of nuisance organisms in biological wastewater treatment plants.

I would advise any prospective student to make sure you pick the course that you like and are genuinely enthusiastic about/interested in.  Make sure it is a good well-recognised course and university with people that are good in your field of interest or interesting people – you do get to know your tutors quite well.  Make sure you pick a place that you really like for social aspects of your life – because a good time will follow and the environment in which you work is very important to failure or success in times of need. 

Make the most of your contact time with the lecturers and make sure you express your interests and dislikes in the subject you are doing."

Graduate Profiles

Ben Libberton: BSc Microbiology (2007)

PhD student, University of Liverpool

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Leeds. The academics are always prepared to help, answer questions and give support and advice.

Leeds is a great place to be a student, with a vibrant, well contained campus very close to the city centre. It also has one of the most well organised unions I have ever seen.

The course itself, arguably the most important thing, is great, very interesting and flexible, allowing you to maintain your specific interest in a fascinating and broad subject area.

I am now doing a microbiology PhD and feel very well equipped to deal with the diversity of problems and questions that I face on a daily basis.

Furthermore, the Leeds course has taught me how to learn and think about new situations, a skill which is invaluable both in the research field, and in all other professions."

Graduate Profiles

Khush Bakht: BSc Microbiology (2008)

PhD studentship funded by BBSRC in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline

" I’ve always wanted to be involved in research, so it was imperative for me as an undergraduate to choose a University that would provide the skills and confidence I would need to embark on such a competitive career path.

From early on it was clear that the University majorly emphasised the need to fully support its students, both academically and personally. Over the three years, I never felt alone and could always rely on my tutor, lecturers or other staff to lend a helping hand, sympathetic ear or academic mind in times of need. Fundamental to my enjoyment of the course were the abundant chances to work on practical laboratory skills. The teaching laboratories have excellent equipment, technical support and have just been newly refurbished. Also, there were many lab-based final year projects on offer, not just literature and computer based “cheaper to run” ones.

Living in the city of Leeds is an amazing experience. There’s something around to satisfy a diverse range of needs and interests; be it with regards to nightlife, culture, shopping or work. A major bonus for me was the fact that the University campus is in such a close proximity to the city centre, meaning that I could keep my days and nights interesting by having the freedom of just popping into the city so easily between lectures or when I needed anything.

Recently, I was able to secure a highly prestigious PhD studentship funded by BBSRC in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline and feel that this could only have been possible due to the high calibre of academic abilities and social skills instilled in me by the University."