Anna Caitlin Rhydderch Price
Undergraduate Biochemistry Student, Year 1
Department of Biochemistry
Tell us a bit about your background
I’m from Wales and grew up studying everything in school through the medium of welsh. I was always fascinated with science, and particularly enjoyed chemistry. I knew I wanted to study biochemistry because I was intrigued by chemical reactions within cells and how these could maintain or disrupt a subcellular environment. I enjoy the application of multidisciplined subjects and the biochemistry course here is particularly broad and is good at integrating all elements of relevant science into one.
I would advise prospective students to always be curious within their subject and to read about topics which you as an individual find interesting and go beyond the school curriculum. I would also really advise you to attend summer schools/open days because this gives you a real flavour of what Oxford-life is like - the style of teaching, your subject content, and the city!
What is the most meaningful aspect of your studies?
The most meaningful for me are the laboratory practicals. I receive these once a week and they allow me to apply theory to scientific technique and data handling. It also helps with overall understanding of chemical reactions and the conditions that they can occur under. A bonus is having your own lab coat and feeling like a real scientist!
Can you tell us about something you've done, contributed to that you're most proud of?
I have recently been an Opportunity Oxford ambassador, participating in a filming session aimed to help future candidates by sharing my opinions and experiences of the programme. This programme is a really exciting way of giving students from areas that don’t have a high Oxford Uni application rate due to various reasons, an opportunity to adjust to the workload and familiarise themselves with what would be an unfamiliar setting.
What changes would you most like to see in the Medical Sciences in the next 100 years?
I think a greater representation of women in STEM achieving higher ranked titles in the workplace. Seeing women go further in STEM is something that would be really encouraging I think to young women that want to become scientists.