Profile
Emma Johnston
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About Me:
I live in Leicester with my husband and my son. I’m a Forensic Biologist. I have been very lucky to work in different parts of the world. I love travelling and exploring new places. I also enjoy reading, cooking and getting outdoors with my family.
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I have been a Forensic Biologist for nearly twenty years. I have worked in Germany, Guatemala and Lebanon. I am a very curious person, which helps as a scientist. I like exploring new places and foods- and then trying to cook them at home. I like going walking with my husband and my two year-old son- although he is getting a bit heavy to carry on my back (like in the photo) now!
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My pronouns are:
She/ her
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My Work:
I am a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Biology at De Montfort University, in Leicester. My background is in forensic DNA. I have worked in crime scene labs and presented DNA evidence in court.
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These days I mainly teach students about forensic biology and courtroom skills. I have worked on lots of interesting projects, including how to get DNA from old bones. I also do research on how we can use forensic science to identify people who go missing.
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My Typical Day:
I usually cycle to work and get to university about 8.30. In the morning I might teach students how to do forensic DNA work in the lab. I have lots of meetings with students and other staff. I eat my lunch around midday. In the afternoon I might do some research or another lesson- maybe in the courtroom we have on campus. Then I go and pick my son up from nursery around 5pm. Every day is a bit different!
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I like my job because every day is different. I work with a really fun team, who are my friends. They also have lots of great forensic science experience- in areas like crime scenes, chemical analysis, blood and fingerprints. I like doing lab classes because they are very hands-on. But at a university we also do lecture and seminar classes which are in a classroom.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d like to do something about communication of science in the courtroom. It is really important for a forensic scientist to be able to explain complicated things in simple language, so that the jury can understand. We have a great courtroom space on our campus.
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Education:
I went to school in Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire. When I was 18, I went to University of Nottingham to study Biology. Then I did a Master’s degree in Forensic Science. Now, a bit later in my career, I am doing my PhD- part-time, alongside my job.
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Qualifications:
I got nine GCSE’s, including Maths, English & Double Science.
I did Biology, Chemistry, Geography & German A-levels.
I have a BSc in Biology & MSc Forensic Science.
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Work History:
When I left university, I got a job at a forensic lab. We did work for police forces who would send us items from crime scenes. We have to get the DNA from the items and produce DNA profiles- this can help police find out who left the DNA. Initially I worked in the lab and did all the testing. Then I got a more senior job where I looked at all the results and analysed them. Sometimes, if a case was going to court, I would write a statement or present the evidence in the courtroom. While I worked here I went to Berlin in Germany to work on a research project for 9 months.
Later I worked in Guatemala. I worked on a project that was helping to identify people who had died during the war in Guatemala. Because that was a long time ago, we were working with skeletons and using DNA from their families to find out who they were.
Now I use my experience to teach students about forensic science and do research at a university.
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Current Job:
Senior Lecturer in Forensic Biology
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Employer:
De Montfort University, Leicester.
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My Interview
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My favourite CHRISTMAS LECTURES memory is:
When they revealed the identity of the skeleton!
How is your work linked to the CHRISTMAS LECTURES
I work on identifying people after they have died- mainly with DNA.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Forensic biology traveller
What did you want to be after you left school?
A biologist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Only for always having my shirt untucked!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Carpenter
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Stevie Wonder
What's your favourite food?
Chips
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To visit more different countries, to have more time in the day and to be really good at different languages.
Tell us a joke.
Why was the biology teacher so popular? He was a fungi!
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