A Biomedical Science lecturer, who overcame educational challenges as a teenager, has spoken of the importance of female role models in the STEM subjects and how she hopes to inspire a new generation of female scientists.
Dr. Paige Tynan, Senior Lecturer at Wrexham University, was told by a teacher that she would never pass her science exams.
Defying this prediction, she not only excelled academically going onto achieve a first-class degree in Forensic Science at Wrexham University – in the last 12 months, she has also earned her PhD in Forensic Taphonomy.
However, Dr. Tynan’s university experience wasn’t all smooth sailing as she struggled to settle in initially but after receiving a dyslexia diagnosis, everything started to fall into place for her.
Following on from her diagnosis, she received enhanced support from lecturers and the University’s Inclusion team and saw her grades start to improve, paving the way for her to excel academically.
Today she leads on new and innovative modules that she has developed, such as Taphonomy and Forensic Ecology, and is currently in the process of establishing an MSc programme in Forensic Science.
Dr. Tynan said:
“My journey to get to where I am today certainly wasn’t straight forward but actually, I’m proud of the challenges I’ve overcome and what I’ve gone onto achieve.
“From being told in high school that I would never pass my science exams to now being a Senior Lecturer in Biosciences at a university, after gaining a first-class degree and earning my PhD last year, as well as having a number of articles published in Springer Nature journals, that feels great.
“Speaking personally, I didn’t have any female role models relating to my field growing up that I could look up to when I was really young. However when I started my undergraduate degree, I really admired my lecturer and now colleague, Amy Rattenbury. She taught me so much and I’m proud to work alongside her.
“I truly believe that representation and championing women is extremely important in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are typically male dominated – and as someone who hasn’t had the easiest route to get to where I am today, I truly hope I can encourage aspiring female scientists that they can be part of leading the change and break down the stereotypes.
“Those of us working in the field has a responsibility and an opportunity to champion STEM careers to the next generation, regardless of gender or background, to show them just how exciting and life-changing working in our sectors can be.”
