Dr Gina Washbourn is a Senior Lecturer (Teaching and Scholarship) in Chemistry at the University of Liverpool. Gina studied an MChem Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, she then went on to complete a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry.
When asked what inspired her to choose and study her degree areas, Gina stated that “Gowing up I never really thought about science or anything particularly academic as a career. I rotated between thoughts of being a police officer or a PE teacher!”
However, thanks to having a wonderful high school Science teacher (Gina was actually very fortunate to have many fantastic teachers!) who was a chemistry specialist, she fell in love with chemistry during her GCSEs and it was her first choice of A-level, with Biology and Maths as natural additions. Ancient History was picked because of her love of history and wanting to do something a little bit different. Gina got to spend two years learning about Greeks and Roman and loved every second of it.
During Gina’ A-levels, she realised for the first time that she enjoyed learning. Gina still thought at that point that she would do a BSc degree and get a job because she felt tired of education, but as you will see from the rest of Ginas’ story, that wasn’t the case!
During Ginas’ PhD, her research was based around synthesing new drug compounds to treat fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Ginas’ research area is now more focused on Scholarship. She is particularly interested in how we can develop better lab environments for students, as many students find labs to be an initially daunting part of the degree programme. Once students settle and adapt to the new environment, they tend to really enjoy it, Gina enjoys supporting students in building their confidence in labs.
Gina is also interested in assessment (particularly assessment for learning (AfL) and how we can embed this into lectures. This includes the use of digital tools, but also creating an environment that students feel like they can be actively involved in.
In addition to this, Gina facilitates outreach development projects in the department. This means she gets to support students in developing new chemistry outreach activities and materials. This is great as it means Gina can support undergraduate students who wish to do something different to a career in the chemistry industry.
Studying A-level chemistry inspired Gina to do a degree in Chemistry. When asked what inspired her to choose Chemistry as a degree subject, Gina states “When I started my degree, I had no thoughts as to a career, only that I enjoyed what I was studying. I then started to find out more about a PhD and teaching at university and thought that sounded like a career I would enjoy.”
When asked about what jobs she has undertaken at the University, Gina felt that she always wanted to be some kind of teacher, and everything she has done has been student orientated. Gina has really enjoyed being an open day and outreach ambassador during her Undergraduate degree. Gina has worked as a sessional tutor at University of Liverpool International college for almost 3 years teaching Chemistry and Biology. Before coming back to my home department of chemistry, she states “I was very lucky to undertake 2 university teacher posts in the Ocean Sciences group, which was a wonderful experience and I learnt so much from the wonderful staff there. I also completed a PGCE (teaching qualification) in 2021.”
Now as a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, Gina discusses the most enjoyable aspect of her job. “I love the teaching aspect of my job because I get to share my passion for science and education with students and staff alike. I particularly love teaching in the labs. It's great to be hands-on and I find it is a great way for me to get to know more about the students, and they get to know a little more about me.”
As a previous undergraduate of the department, Gina is thrilled that she now gets to work with the staff that inspired and supported her as a student. “We get to come up with all sorts of weird and wonderful ideas of how we can enhance the student experience and they are one of the reasons my job is so enjoyable.”
Gina also loves that no day, week, month or year is the same. She says “I can be teaching the same content as the year before but how I approach it and how the students interact with it is different. It means I constantly develop myself and how I teach and I love that challenge. My job is certainly not boring!”
When asked about her most exciting career project, Gina says “I am the Chemistry Outreach lead which means I get the chance to inspire and shape the minds of the next generation of scientists. What I love about this role is I get to interact with kids of all ages (3 - 99!) and talk about why science in general is so great. We do everything from synthesis of painkillers to making disgusting alginate eyeballs, and I love every second of it, including when I go home covered in slime and food colouring!
I love the comments we get after outreach sessions, particularly from younger kids who think science is cool and want to be scientists when they grow up. I also love that this role means I get to support our undergraduates, postgraduates and post docs in diversifying their interests and skills through their excellent delivery of the outreach programme.”
Gina’s top tip for anyone working or studying in STEMM is that teaching and Scholarship type roles aren't hugely common.” If you are interested in teaching at university level and don't want to pursue the normal academic research route, take as many opportunities as possible to be involved in teaching. I think I always had teaching as a career in the back of mind, but I started my journey by doing PAL (peer-assisted learning) and was supported by another excellent LivWiSE role model Prof. Gita Sedghi to do this. This then inspired me to seek out more opportunities to get involved. It also gave me a range of contacts which helped me with seeking invaluable information and advice as I progressed throughout my career.”
Gina’s other tip is to continuously develop yourself. This can be through further study or training, or working on things that you feel like you could improve. This helps improve your confidence, but also the range of things you can do. Take every opportunity you can.
She feels incredibly privileged to be in a job that she loves, where she gets to experience so many fantastic things. Any job can have days where it is not easy, and sometimes you must work extra hard, but Gina always reminds herself that through her job she gets to be a part helping students to change, grow and move into careers of their own.
Gina’s best piece of advice is to always look on the bright side of life!