Protein Queen Kirsty’s Antarctica aspirations
Researcher aiming to raise funds for her expedition
A former Forth Valley College graduate – known as the ‘Protein Queen’ in the fight against superbugs – has launched an appeal to help her take part in an expedition to Antarctica.
Dr Kirsty Robb from Stirling is gearing up to be one of only three Scottish women on a ship setting sail in January 2019 for one of the world’s most inhospitable areas, as part of Homeward Bound – a leadership, strategic and science initiative and outreach for women, set against the backdrop of Antarctica.
The initiative aims to heighten the influence and impact of women with a science background in order to influence policy and decision making as it shapes our planet.
Launched in 2016, Homeward Bound is targeting 1000 women from around the world, all with critical science and STEM backgrounds, to undertake a yearlong state-of-the-art programme to develop their leadership and strategic capabilities, using science to build conviction around the importance of their voices.
Currently in the process of raising £14,000 to help her take part in the expedition, Kirsty (35) would love to hear from anyone who would like to find out more about how sponsoring her can help raise their profile.
Kirsty, who works in the fight against superbugs at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science (SIPBS), began her remarkable professional journey at Forth Valley College with an NQ in Applied Biological Studies just over a decade ago. She is also a STEM ambassador for Science Connects, regularly visiting schools to promote science.
She said: “I did not have a traditional route into a career in science, but I am proud to be an FVC graduate and I loved my time there. I was a Science Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Ambassador at FVC and I am still doing that role now. I just love going out and giving something back as I am really passionate about encouraging youngsters to be enthusiastic about science.”
Originally from Girvan in Ayrshire, Kirsty moved to Stirling with her boyfriend and used her HNC in Agriculture from the Scottish Agricultural College to find work within that industry. But she quickly realised it was not for her at the age of 23.
She signed up for an NQ at FVC and was then encouraged by lecturers to apply for an HND. In 2009 she was presented with that year’s Best Student in the Department of Applied Science award before enrolling at Strathclyde University on the third year of a BSc Hons degree in Biochemistry and Immunology, graduating in 2011 and beginning her PhD in Structural Dynamics of Bacterial GntR Proteins.
Now a post-doctoral researcher at SIPBS in Glasgow, Kirsty is working in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in the fight against superbugs.
Her science-based expertise and her adventurous nature – she is also an experienced mountaineer and Mountain Leader qualified to guide people in the Highlands of Scotland – is set to take her on the most exciting stage of her career journey to date.
She added: “I didn’t think I would get anywhere with my application, but I have been through three rounds of application reviews and I am down to the 80-strong group – with only three from Scotland – who will be going on the expedition in January 2019.
“I am very excited at hearing what other women from around the world have to say on a whole diverse range of things. One of the main reasons we are going to Antarctica is about climate change and how it affects us all.
“It will be the summer when we are there, but it will still be temperatures of between zero and -15 degrees, so it will be really challenging when we are on land.”
To help Kirsty’s cause see www.gofundme.com/ KirstyTeamHB2019. She is also part of a joint fundraising effort along with her fellow Scottish based expedition mates – Helen Wade and Lorna Slater – at www.chuffed. org/project/supporting-scottishwomen-in-the-2019-homewardboundprogramme.