Hi, I am Shelley. I’m 23 and have just completed my undergraduate degree in biochemistry and genetics from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. I live near Southampton which is one of the reasons that I chose to apply for this 4 year studentship.

One of the main things that attracted me to this university was its facilities. The opportunity to work within a hospital, for an institution that has such a good reputation in the area of respiratory medicine is ideal. I am extremely pleased that I managed to win one if the places on this studentship which offers a unique opportunity of a first year which includes rotations within three different labs. As I have no previous experience of the staff or the areas of research that are available this first year will enable me to make an informed decision as to where I will spend the next three years on my PhD. Having to choose a supervisor without getting to know them first would have been a bit daunting. There are four main areas within the studentship, one for each of us. I am hoping to do my PhD around the area of genetics as I find it very interesting.

I would like to thank everyone who supports the AAIR charity and hope that you feel you can get to know us a bit better and discover more about what we are doing, maybe become as interested it in as we are.