Profile
Fatma Salahioglu
My CV
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Education:
I began my life in Cyprus and went to school there until I was 17. Then I moved to the UK to study forensic science at the University of Kent. After I finished my BSc, I started doing a PhD, analysing cosmetic evidence, particularly lipsticks. I used Raman Spectroscopy to determine whether one could identify a lipstick brand and make just from a smear at the crime scene (e.g. found on paper tissues, cups, glasses, cigarette butts…)
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Qualifications:
When I was at school, at the time, we did GCEs (not GCSEs) and we only did O levels and AS levels (not A levels). So I had those in English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology (as well as French).
Since I didn’t have A levels, I applied to the foundation year at university and I got in. Following a one-year foundation course (which was all about chemistry and forensics), I carried on with 3 years of bachelors.
After finishing my BSc, I did a PhD in analytical chemistry and finished it in about 3 years.
After that, I started my work life!
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Work History:
I started with teaching and helping out during the lab-based classes at university while I was doing my PhD. After finishing my PhD, I got a job in Singapore as a Research Scientist at the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences.
I worked there for 2 years, then I saw a job opening for a Forensic Scientist in Singapore, and since that was my specialty (and what I always wanted to be) I applied. I worked as a forensic scientist for a few years, then I returned to the UK.
Once I returned, I began working at LGC as a Senior Scientist, performing forensic analysis for pharmaceutical companies.
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Current Job:
I currently work as a Senior Scientist at LGC, which is a life sciences company providing services in many areas including drug development, genomics, proficiency testing, standard materials, animal and human sports sciences.
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About Me:
I’m a martial arts enthusiast and I love doing parkour. I was always interested in crime-solving and forensic science, so I became a forensic scientist. I now apply my skills in the pharma industry… sadly, I can’t apply my martial arts skills at work!
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I live in Ashford, Kent with my family of 3 dogs and a husband! The dogs moved here all the way from Singapore as my husband and I lived there for several years. I love physical activities such as dancing, martial arts and parkour, and I have a black belt in karate. I also love writing fictional stories and have started a few novels (but only finished one!).
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I have studied forensic science at university and also worked as a forensic scientist in Singapore. I learned how to analyse really small amounts of stuff and how to identify them by applying all sorts of analytical techniques. I currently work at LGC and perform forensic analysis of unknown materials found in pharmaceutical products.
For example, when companies find bits of hair, dust, insects, and other particles that should not be in their products, they send it to us, and we identify those particles, then find out where they came from. Knowing where particles come from helps the pharmaceutical company figure out the source or the culprit!
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My Typical Day:
Whenever I go into the lab, I have a new ‘unknown’ to identify! These could be hair, insects, stones, bits and pieces found in medicines. I look at these under the microscope and use many techniques to identify them! Then, I figure out the culprit!
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I spend about half of my day in the lab and the other half in the office, at my desk. The work of a scientist doesn’t just involve doing analysis in the lab, but also involves other things like doing paperwork, doing research to find better techniques, talking to customers and answering their questions, training, and writing procedures for experiments and instruments so that others can follow the same.
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
Forensic scientist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Nope, I was too nice.
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Health, strength (physical, mental), ever-growing knowledge
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