EMMA SKIPPER

Warwick HRI, The University of Warwick ,Wellesbourne Warwick CV35 9EF

Telephone: 024 7657 5146 E-mail:

Date of Birth: 14/09/1983 Nationality: British.

EDUCATION:

Oct 2006 – Present: Warwick HRI, The University of Warwick. PhD in Plant and

Environmental Sciences

‘Investigating the Genetic Control of Post Harvest Shelf Life and Vitamin C content in broccoli’ (Funded by the BBSRC).

Supervisors: Dr. V. Buchanan-Wollaston & Prof. D Pink.

Project Synopsis:

Post harvest deterioration in broccoli occurs rapidly, resulting in head yellowing and nutrient decline. This project aims to address the genetics of post harvest yellowing and vitamin C content by utilising the natural variation present within a double haploid (DH) mapping population. Field trials have been used to assess the shelf life and vitamin C phenotypes of all lines, and genotype data has been generated using fluorescent molecular markers to construct a linkage map. Interval mapping has been used to locate QTLs for shelf life, vitamin C content and other phenotypic traits. A bioinformatics approach is also being used to identify gene orthologs in broccoli based on sequence homologies from know vitamin C biosynthesis genes in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Sep 2005 - Sep 2006: The University of Birmingham. MSc in Conservation and Utilisation

of Plant Genetic Resources (Merit)

Dissertation Project: Genotyping and Phenotyping of Arabidopsis thaliana BC1 RILs.

Modules: Cytogenetics, Population Genetics, Quantitative genetics, Statistical Methods, Conservation and Biodiversity.

Sep 2002 – Jun 2005: The University of Birmingham. BSc (Hons) inBiological Sciences,

Plant Biology (2:1)

Dissertation Project: The role of chitin and glucan in fungal cell wall synthesis(Literature review)

Modules: Conservation Biology, Physiological bases of Plant Ecology, Plant Molecular and Cell biology, Plant Pathology and Practical molecular microbiology and fermentation.

Sep 1997 – Jul 2002: Mereway Upper School, Northampton.

  • A-Levels: Psychology (B); English Literature (C); Biology (D)
  • AS-Level in Mathematics (C).

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

My main research interests are in post harvest biology and plant senescence.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL SKILLS:

  • Genotyping doubled haploid lines using fluorescent AFLP and SSR molecular markers.
  • Field trial experimental design and data collection.
  • Backcrossing by hand pollination.
  • Microspore culture
  • QTL identification using interval mapping.
  • Vitamin C quantification using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
  • Primer design.
  • Working knowledge ofGeneMarker, JoinMap, Map QTL, Map Chart and DNAstar.
  • Extensive experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Apr 2005 – Sep 2006: Senior Retail Assistant, The University of Birmingham Guild of

Students

  • Responsible for training new members of staff within 4 retail units.
  • Trusted with key holder duties, including working unsupervised, banking the takings and closing and opening the retail units.
  • Responsible for monthly stock takes and merchandising of the shop floor.
  • Responsible for the weekly staffing of all retail units.
  • Liaised directly with the retail unit manager to order stock and to complete stock returns.
  • Selected by the retail unit manager to work in conjunction with University Director of Retail on providing a gift service at the summer graduation ceremonies.
  • Assisted the retail unit manager during the restructuring of the guild and the reallocation of retail units including remerchandising of the outlets.
  • Dealt with customer complaints, returns and refunds.

Apr 2004 – Apr 2005: Retail Assistant, The Birmingham of University Guild of Students

  • Successful adapted to working in 4 different outlets: University Gifts and Clothing, Suit Hire, Guild Tickets, Events & Travel and a Graphics outlet.
  • Reliably handled large sums of money.
  • Offered outstanding customer service to a diverse range of customers including students, staff, alumni and visitors.
  • Involved with taking customer telephone orders and enquiries.

Apr 2004 – Jul 2005: Sales Associate, Selfridges & Co.

  • Dealt directly and efficiently with the public.
  • A dedicated team member working to meet individual and team targets.

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE:

Oct 2006-Present: Vice Chair of the Student Staff Liaison Committee.

  • Duties include raising and resolving issues within the student community.

Oct 2008-Present: Student Representative of the AREA 21 Health and Safety Committee.

  • Primary role in relaying important health and safety information from the committee to students.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

  • Active member of the Association of Applied Biologists (AAB).

TRAINING:

Voice Training

  • Techniques for voice projection and clear pronunciation of words.

Academic writing series

  • How to write a literature review (science and medicine).
  • Writing a PhD thesis (science and medicine).
  • Understanding academic writing and the main types of postgraduate writing.
  • The academic writing style and language.
  • Grammatical accuracy: morphology and syntax.
  • Writing for publication.

3-day science and medicine PhD training course.

  • Workshops included: team building, team leadership, effective communication, time management skills, networking, realising your potential and motivation tips.

CONFERENCES & SEMINARS:

E.S.Skipper, V. Buchanan-Wollaston and D.A.C Pink (January 08 & January 09). Investigating the Genetic Control of Post Harvest Shelf Life and Metabolite Content in Broccoli.
Abstract & Poster Presentation at the BBSRC Innovation in crop science exploitation of genetics for sustainability initiative grantholder’s workshop.

E.S.Skipper, V. Buchanan-Wollaston and D.A.C Pink (June 08). Investigating the Genetic Control of Post Harvest Senescence and Metabolite Content in Broccoli. Abstract & Poster Presentation at Gordon Research Conference on Plant Senescence, Mount Holyoke College, Boston, MA.

E.S.Skipper, V. Buchanan-Wollaston and D.A.C Pink (May 08). Investigating the Genetic Control of Post Harvest Shelf Life and Metabolite Content in Broccoli. Abstract & Poster Presentation at AAB Plant Genetic Resources Food and Agricultural Conference, WHRI.

E.S.Skipper, V. Buchanan-Wollaston and D.A.C Pink (May 08). Investigating the Genetic Control of Post Harvest Shelf Life and Metabolite Content in Broccoli. Seminar & Poster Presentation at UK Brassica Research Community Meeting, WHRI.

E.S.Skipper, V. Buchanan-Wollaston and D.A.C Pink (March 07 & March 08). Investigating the Genetic Control of Post Harvest Shelf Life and Metabolite Content in Broccoli. Abstract & Poster Presentation at WHRI Student Symposium.

E.S.Skipper, V. Buchanan-Wollaston and D.A.C Pink (May 07). Investigating the Genetic Control of Post Harvest Shelf Life and Metabolite Content in Broccoli. Poster Presentation at UK Brassica Research Community Meeting, Rothemstead.

FUNDING:

2008- Student Travel Award (£600) to attend the GRC Plant Senescence Conference at Mount Holyoke College, Boston, MA.

2006- BBSRC PhD studentship

2005- European Social Fund (MSc CUPGR)

REFERENCES AVALIABLE ON REQUEST