Profile
Robert Ives
In Vivo Biologist
My CV
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Education:
Open University; City of Westminster College; Sir John Newsom Secondary School
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Qualifications:
Degree in Biological Sciences; BTEC 3 in Applied Sciences; lots of diploma level courses; A’ Levels and some GCSEs
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Work History:
GSK (where I work now); Computacenter (building computers for large companies); National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (animal technician); Buccentaur Gallery (packing greeting cards)
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Current Job:
In-vivo and Formulation Research Scientist
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About Me:
Part time Lego addict with a wife and two ‘challenging at times’ sons
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I live in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, with my wife and two sons (14 and 19 years old), a goldendoodle (Bella), and a leopard gecko (LD – ‘little dragon’). Sharon, my wife, is a teacher and has even less spare time than I do!
I got bored with school and left education at 18 after completing my A Levels. I was lucky enough to find a job where I was allowed to study for my science degree part time which was better for me than going to University. I love to learn, but in my own way.
I love animals and in my spare time, enjoy going on wildlife walks, especially around some of the local lakes where I often come across grass snakes and other interesting creepy crawlies. I also like to help out at local athletics meetings as a field judge (it can be a bit scary seeing a javelin get caught in a gust of wind and start flying straight at you). ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘The Big Bang Theory’ are my favourite TV shows. I also like thriller and horror movies.
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My pronouns are:
He/ him
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My Work:
I test medicines using animals and help to develop medicines for children which don’t taste bad.
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I am an in-vivo scientist (that means I work with animals) creating new medicines for humans. A major part of my job is to test the taste of medicines for children (kids won’t swallow medicine if it tastes bad) and make special recipes which include the medicine that the children will hopefully take (kind of like making a cake). I have a special group of rats (picture below) who act as my taste testers and when I give them a tiny bit of medicine in water, they will lick it and I can work out if the medicine tastes horrible or not. The rats only get a tiny bit of medicine so it doesn’t make them feel bad.
I also work with scientists at University’s to help find easier ways of testing medicine and recently worked with a Professor who used slime mould (picture below) to test if chemicals might taste bitter or could be dangerous to humans. It’s amazing.
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My Typical Day:
Say ‘hello’ to my rats, write up a study plan (bit like home work) and test some medicine.
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Whenever I can, I will go and say hello to my rats. I have some amazing people who look after them for me, keep them clean with lots of food and water and make sure they are healthy.
When I have a chemical that needs testing I have to write out a special form that says why I need to use animals and show it to some vets and scientists who must all agree before I can run an experiment. There are lots of laws that protect the animals to make sure that they are only used when there is no other way of testing to see if a chemical might become a medicine. All of our animals are cared for by trained people and we have lots of vets available if an animal becomes unwell.
In the afternoons, I often have lots of meetings where we talk about things like the new medicines we need to make to help people, or things we can do to improve our animals lives.
Once I have finished an experiment I have to write up my results. This is a little bit like doing homework but is very important. Sometimes I have to stand in front of a room full of scientists and tell them all about the experiments I have been doing, which can be a bit scary.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Sensory science kits for a local special school
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Slightly mad scientist
What did you want to be after you left school?
A wildlife TV presenter - someone like David Attenborough.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yep, quite a lot, and for many different things (although I was never horrible to people).
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Ooh! I like lots, from Led Zeppelin to Katie Melua. Ed Sheerans pretty cool. Any music with guitar or saxophone. Favourite alltime, probably Queen
What's your favourite food?
Indian food and iced donuts
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I'd wish for: 1) A house big enough to own all the pets I've always wanted; 2) To be 10 years old forever - I could get away with so much; 3) A happy and healthy family
Tell us a joke.
Why didn't the teddy bear eat its desert? Because it was stuffed.....boom boom!
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