DR ALICE Barkell BSc (Hons), PhD has successfully defended her structural biology/biochemistry thesis to become a Doctor of Philosophy just before Christmas.

Alice attended Lydford Primary School then Okehampton College for both GCSEs and A-levels, the University of Exeter for her honours degree in biological and medicinal chemistry and the University of Leicester for her research comprising structural and functional studies of therapeutically attractive proteins.

This was a CASE awarded studentship, which allowed her to gain experience within an industrial setting.

During the course of her research, Alice had the chance to present her research at many meetings and conferences, which gave her an opportunity to get out of the lab every so often!

As well as playing squash, running and hitting the gym, Alice is now a research associate at the University of Leicester and plans to continue her career in research science.