Presentation complete.......

Well I managed to do my presentation, it was infront of around 15 people which was a nice number.

I was sat in my seat before hand and my heart was racing I tried some breathing techniques to try and get my heart rate under control but that didnt seem to work.

So then it got to my turn, I stood at the podium and loaded my presentation onto the screen. By this point my breathing had got worse and my hands were shaking. My mouth was so dry I found it hard to talk at some parts. I felt that I spoke slowly but I'm not sure if I actually came across that way. I managed to actually say the words I had previously had difficulty with which was good.

When my presentation was over I felt a Hugh sigh of relief, I think I need to do it many more times before becoming confident at speaking in public. Even tho I find talking to people easy I found presenting my work very hard.

I can now move on to officially starting my full PhD project next week

Sunday.....

Hello everyone....

I have been given a yogurt maker, with enough packets to make 35kg of yogurt, so i have got my first lot in the yogurt maker, excited to see how it comes out. I do think I will be eating yogurt until it comes out of my ears for the next to months.

I have a very busy week this week as I have a lot of lectures, talks and I have to give a 15 minute presentation on Tuesday which I am very very nervous about.

Happy times

Good morning!!!


Found out last night that I have been assigned the phd project that I wanted woo hoo. So it's official I now study elephant viruses :)

Book recommendations

Hello everyone!!!

So I had a presentation run through yesterday, and I did speak at the correct speed, but did spend most of my time talking to my presentation slides and not engaging my audience. When I originally ran through it at home it was 12 minutes long, and yesterday it was 21 minutes long, when I'm only supposed to give a 15 min presentation this is not good. So now I need to try and cut some out or speak faster lol

If anyone has any ideas let me know :)

I am trying to get through as many books as possible to bulk out my book review section. If anyone has any books they recommend please also let me know :) I like both fiction and non fiction :)

Submission / advice

Good morning world!!!!


I have submitted which mini project I want as my PhD! I will find out officially on 29th which one I will be doing. When I find out I will be able to give you some information and what I am studying, and I will be writing some fairly long posts describing things I am interested in. 

As I am interested in disease I am thinking that each week I may post about a different disease to enlighten people especially those who are new to these subjects.

This morning I would like to give anyone out there who is thinking of doing a phd some tips from my experience so far.

1. Keep your CV up to date as much as you can
2. Make a list of any conferences/meetings that you go to
3. Research the university you are applying for
4. Look at the research areas of the supervisors you are applying to
5. Look at other places you can possibly get funding
6. Visit the university and have a look around the department if you can

I hope the above advice is helpful to people.

Presentation skills

Presentations!!!

So I have quite an important presentation coming up, I am writing this post to give some information that I have learnt recently from practicing my presentation. I somebody somewhere finds it useful.

I am presenting my findings from my final mini project, I enjoy talking but I find presenting in front of groups difficult.  I am using power point for my presentation slides.

1. If you are using power point or another form of software to create slides, do not have too much text as it is difficult for people to read large chunks of text and listen to you talk at  the same times.
2. Hold you head up and don't talk to the floor,make sure you face your audience.
3. Enjoy what you are doing and show enthusiasm for the subject you are talking about. 
4. Being smartly dressed can give a good impression, especially if it is a first impression.
5. Speak slowly and clearly, try not to mumble.
6. Stand up straight not hunching your shoulders.

I know these tips may sound simple, but doing them in a real life situation can be tough. I am giving my presentation soon and I will be following the above.

Please find my updated book reviews under the book reviews page.

First step in my PhD journey

I am part of the Doctoral Training Partnership at the University of Nottingham. From October 2012 until April 2013 I have sampled three mini PhD projects in various areas, this has enabled me to have a greater idea of what I would like to do. I enjoyed doing the three projects and I have learnt so many scientific techniques.

Now is a big time for me as this week I have to choose one of the projects to take as my PhD which i will start soon.... exciting times......

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my blog, this is my first post.

 I am a first year PhD student and aim to keep this blog updated with my progress and life as a PhD student. This also may be of interest to people who are interested in virology and/or people who are thinking of or are doing a PhD currently.

I am also aiming to review the books I read, I mainly read non fiction and I am interested in the following areas:
Viruses
Malaria and other diseases
Evolution
and many other scientific areas

Please see the my life link page on the right to find out more about me.