“My favourite parts were definitely the laboratory practicals and modules about microbiology.”

Current PhD student and BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences graduate Trudie McComb reflects on her time studying at Plymouth and her passion for human health

Why did you choose to study BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences?
I was applying to university and had originally chosen medicine at Plymouth as my first choice, with human biosciences (now BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences) as my insurance choice.
However, due to the pandemic I was unable to sit my final A level exams and didn’t receive the grades required for medicine.
Instead, I enrolled to study human biosciences as it appealed to my interest in the human body and how it functions during infection and disease.
Trudie McCombs, PhD student and BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences graduate
Why did you choose to study at Plymouth?
I’m originally from Northern Ireland and knew I wanted to attend a university away from home. Plymouth is a relatively small city and has plenty of green spaces, which appealed to me as someone from a small rural town.
The fact that Plymouth is right by the sea was another attractive feature for me as it provided the opportunity to try new activities associated with a seaside destination.
Trudie McComb attending a conference
What were your favourite parts of the course?
My favourite parts were definitely the laboratory practicals and modules about microbiology. I love being in the lab and am happiest with a pipette in hand! Due to my interest in microbiology, the practical sessions in those modules were my favourite.
At the end of my degree, I achieved two academic awards: an Academic Excellence Award for highest achiever in Year 3 and a Research Excellence Award for highest achiever in Research Project in Year 3.

I am excited to have started a PhD at Plymouth – I just couldn’t say goodbye to the place yet!

My PhD is under the supervision of Dr Matt Banton and, in short, I will be investigating the immune systems and microbiomes of nematodes, rotifers and tardigrades, in the hopes of this leading to the discovery of novel antimicrobials.

Do you have any advice to prospective students?
Seriously consider doing a placement year. I chose to do a placement year with Dr Gyorgy Fejer at the Derriford Research Facility and I got a real sense of what it means to work in a research laboratory – something I was beginning to realise could be a future career.
The skills and confidence I gained were a huge help when completing my final year research project and ultimately helped me come to the conclusion that I wanted to pursue research as a career.

My aims are to continue working in research, specifically in microbiology and/or antimicrobial discovery. I am passionate about human health and hope to be a part of the future cohort of scientists finding modern-day solutions for the increasingly important problem that is antimicrobial resistance.

Will gene therapy become an established treatment for cancer?
What are the potential benefits of stem cell research?
How has the revolution in genome sequencing provided insights into human biology?
On this flexible course, develop skills and knowledge across the spectrum of subject disciplines – enabling an understanding of these and other key questions relating to human biology, health and disease.
Human Biosciences