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Vanessa Woods

Biomedicine and biotechnology scientist

Vanessa Woods

I study tiny blood cells called platelets. In the body there are 3 types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. We need all of them to survive
but sometimes people get sick because one or all of them don’t work properly.

My PhD project focuses on making ‘superhero’ platelets that have special proteins as their superpower to help people fight infections. I chose this project because I liked the idea of using something already in our bodies and improving it for health.

I believe that you should never stop questioning everything because curiosity leads to discovery, and science is the best way for me to achieve that. That is also why I travelled all the way from my tiny island of Jamaica half-way around the world to Germany so that I could follow my passion.

Remember that your dreams have no borders so follow them wherever they lead you!

I hope that after I have finished my PhD you will be able to read about my work and the positive impact it has made.

Vanessa is our Clever Cells box champion.

I love being a scientist because...

I am never bored because every day is like a new adventure, plus I also get to wear a cool lab coat and use fancy high tech machines.

The most awesome thing I have done so far is...

I won gold medals for my school when I participated in dance, music and speech competitions.

My heroes are...

My mom!

Advice I would give my 7 year old self...

Be confident, creative and fearless!

At primary school my favourite thing to do was...

Collect caterpillars in glass jars so I could watch them turn into butterflies before releasing them.



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