Danni Li currently works as a Senior Scientist at Charles River and completed a PhD in Immunology in 2019.
How has your career developed since graduating from the University of Birmingham?
I took a postdoctoral position at the University of Bath where I worked on a variety of research projects centered around the role of auto-antibodies in immune disease. I am now working as a senior scientist in industry, developing immunological assays for disease diagnosis.
How did your course help prepare you for your career?
I learnt a variety of lab skills during my PhD which were critical for my current and previous roles. In addition my PhD helped develop my project management, leadership and networking skills which were helpful to my role.
Why did you originally apply to do your chosen course at Birmingham?
The university has a fantastic reputation, and the campus and city has great atmosphere.
What inspired you most during your time at Birmingham? For example, guest speakers, lecturers, research, friendships, extra-curricular activities:
My department and institute were friendly and approachable. There was great morale among colleagues, and we had regular seminars with internal and external speakers which helped inspire our work. In addition the university has a state of the art gym where I was able to pursue my extracurricular activities.
What advice would you give to current students studying on the course?
It can take a while to complete a PhD but if you are thinking of a specialist career it may be necessary to do one. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication but it is worth it in the end. It is also a great opportunity to learn about one area in a lot of detail.
What tips/ advice would you give to people who are considering studying your course at Birmingham?
Attend as many seminars as time allows, even if it’s beyond your area of expertise. These can be good networking/collaboration opportunities.
How would you advise people to make the most of their time on their course?
Have a good work-life balance, and ensure you make the most of Post Graduate Research groups and societies.