Thomas Marland-Griffiths

I have been in working in laboratory settings since the beginning of my secondary school education at Blue Coat School in Oldham almost all the way up to present as I work on my Microbiology Research Masters (Mphil) at Salford University. Throughout this time, I have garnered a meticulous and patient nature towards work carried out in such settings, as well as a measured approach towards any preparations needed to complete lab work. 

At Salford University I have learned the finer details of working alongside others in a professional lab, as well as many commonly used lab techniques. Practising my aseptic technique further, generating my own data from experiments set whilst also preparing presentations and assignments to explain and disseminate the data gathered to others. Blue Coat School is well known for its science curriculum and extensive use of practical lab sessions across all key stages. I have been practising proper PPE usage, aseptic technique and proper chemical/apparatus handling since I was 13. In Oldham sixth form college I continued working within a lab setting with my BTEC science, setting and carrying out my own experiments, working to deadlines and aiding others in completing their own practicals when I had finished my own. I finished all the work expected of me and more well ahead of my peers and to a much higher standard than was expected of me, thus the high achievers award and grant given to me by Oldham Sixth form college. While still working in the area of science for my primary education degree at Edgehill University, it was not a professional laboratory environment, however I learned how to craft a thorough risk assessment to a professional standard, as well as formulate and plan practicals managing my time and resources effectively. 

Across the years my peers have turned to me often asking for help, or I have offered it as I have seen some struggle. I love teaching others the correct and right way of completing complex tasks, and aiding my friends and peers in laboratory settings has made me feel content and confident in my own skills as well. Whilst a student in Salford University I have been mistaken for a technician on more than one occasion both by other technicians and students, I would like to pin this down completing work independently without asking for aid whilst offering it where I saw it was needed, however it’s completely possible that it was just due to being a mature student, looking confident and approachable enough to converse with and ask for advice. Both of these are positives in my eyes though, so I don’t believe it matters which it is.

As stated previously I am currently in the 2nd year of my Microbiology Research Masters (Mphil) and have had training on new equipment that has been made available to the university, a high pressure homogeniser (SPCH FPG12800), for which I am the only individual on campus to have had official training on for both operation and maintenance. I have finished my lab work and am onto data analysis  and thesis write-up.

University of Salford 2024-Present 

Masters in Microbiology Research (Mphil) - Ongoing.

July 2025 - Augmented Reality Hackathon: Bacteriophage Games 

I took part in a multidisciplinary paper-prototyping workshop to contribute ideas towards an AR game in development at The University of Salford in collaboration with the creative tech company, FeedAR. I worked with a team of science and gaming students and researchers to share ideas for a series of games to engage young people on the topic of bacteriophages that can be used to tackle antimicrobial resistant infections. Key Skills: Oral communication, knowledge-exchange, teamwork.

January - May 2025 - Project Assistant for ‘Solemates’

Collected, grew and analysed bacteria from patients feet at the University of Salford Podiatry Clinic for a public education and outreach event. Surveyed patients with a questionnaire to collate data based on individual foot health as well as conversing with and educating those patients about the role bacteria has in keeping our feet healthy. Key Skills: Organisation, oral communication, Laboratory Technique.

December 2024 - January 2025: Volunteer at Manchester Science Festival, Science and Industry Museum

Helped to deliver an educational exhibit about bacteriophages. I worked with a team using interactive 3D printed models, crafts and a Virtual Reality Lung. With 2000 visitors to the event each day, I talked to young children, teenagers, and parents about how bacteriophages (viruses that target bacteria) could be the future of therapeutics for bacterial infections. Key Skills: Organisation, oral communication, teamwork.

· Human Biology with Infectious Diseases - Degree(Ba/Hons) 2:1 

· Certificate of Higher Education in Primary Education with Science (Ba/Hons)

· BTEC Subsidiary Science Diploma  Distinction *

·GCSE Qualification Results:-

Maths                                  Grade B

English                                Grade A

English Literature              Grade A

Sociology                           Grade A

Drama                                 Grade B

Physics                               Grade B

Biology                               Grade A

Chemistry                          Grade B

History                               Grade A

French                                Grade B

Religious Studies             Grade A