Senior Science Technician

• Jul 2022 - Present

Laboratory Technician

• Sep 2021 - Jul 2022

PhD student

• Oct 2017 - May 2022

Focused on Sicily, the ERC funded project “Sicily in Transition” (SICTRANSIT) has the goal of investigating what drives the different transitions and what happened to people from the 6th to the 13th century AD. During this range of time Sicily experienced four radical changes in regime: from Byzantine to Aghlabid to Fatimid to Norman to Swabian. Potentially, each of these transitions saw new groups of migrants, new forms of agriculture and settlement, new networks of exchange, new distributions of wealth and new types of social control. My research is aimed at investigating and documenting diet, economy and demographic movement across these changes of religious political control through the isotopic analysis of human and animal remains. Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) bulk stable isotope analysis of bone collagen will be applied to directly assess an individual’s average diet. Oxygen isotopes of dentin will provide direct information relating to the lifetime mobility of an individual, since tooth mineral phosphate and carbonate oxygen will inform us about drinking water consumed during childhood (the period of enamel formation). I am also working on the development and application of new approaches for measuring amino acids from bone by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-c-IRMS).

Academic Skills Tutor

• Oct 2018 - Jun 2020

Planning and delivering interactive sessions for sixth form and mature students aimed at developing independent learning skills and a range of academic skills, such as narrowing a research project and project writing, researching a topic and evaluating information, referencing and academic integrity, effective note taking.

Academic Support Worker

• Sep 2018 - Sep 2021

Providing academic support to students with disabilities in Higher Education, in particular taking notes in lectures, seminars and tutorials. I also provide support to students who may also need mobility, orientation, sighted assistance and access support on and around campus. Providing academic support to students with disabilities in Higher Education, in particular taking notes in lectures, seminars and tutorials. I also provide support to students who may also need mobility, orientation, sighted assistance and access support on and around campus.

Care Assistant

• Aug 2020 - Aug 2021

Tutor

• Oct 2017 - Jun 2018

Planning, organizing and delivering a Human Geography course for international students from Norway aged 18-19. Planning, organizing and delivering a Human Geography course for international students from Norway aged 18-19.

Senior Teaching and Research Technician

• Jan 2015 - Sep 2017

Performing laboratory tests in order to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific investigations, carrying out routine tasks accurately and following strict methodologies to carry out analyses (GC, EA, EA-IRMS, LCMS, HPLC), preparing specimens and samples, constructing, maintaining and operating standard laboratory equipment, for example centrifuges, freeze driers, pipetting machines and pH meters. Writing SOP’s, develop methodologies that suit the newest lines of research in the field, data analysis and train users in the use of the analytical instruments. In charge of supervising and carrying out sample preparation (SPE extraction, liquid to liquid extraction, digestion of soil and plant material, collagen, and biological compound, HF treatment of samples for NMR analysis, thiolysis and Grabber reaction for HPLC-MS analysis of tannins, ecotoxicology analysis, PLFA extraction from soil, collagen extraction for stable isotopes characterization) as well as of all the health and safety aspects of the laboratory work. Ensuring the laboratory is well-stocked and resourced, recording and interpreting results to present to senior colleagues, using dedicated software and performing mathematical calculations for the preparation of graphs, keeping up to date with technical developments, especially those which can save time and improve reliability, conducting searches on identified topics relevant to the research I support. Supporting the following research areas: environmental chemistry and archaeology as well as societal-environment interactions, addressing questions of sustainability policy and practice, with particular emphasis on food security, water security, environmental pollution, toxicology and diet reconstruction using stable isotopes analyses. Organizing and taking part in outreach events.

Science Technician

• Mar 2014 - Dec 2014

Manage requests for technical equipment and resources to support learning, developing a systematic safe approach to using equipment to support key stages of the curriculum. Supervise the day-to-day organisation and development of other technical staff and newly qualified teachers, teaching assistants to ensure that standards of practical work are maintained in the absence of or under the direction of the Senior Science Technician. Preparation, assembly, setting up of equipment /components, apparatus, tools, chemicals, solutions and equipment for practical classes and assessments, including worksheets, books and audio-visual aids to be available for lessons. Conducting experimental trials in readiness for lessons. Preparing experiments, setting up apparatus and equipment for demonstrations and practical lessons as requested by teaching staff. Collecting, caring for and storing equipment, resources and materials safely. Demonstrate and teach the correct and safe use of equipment for pupils as directed by the class teacher. Assist the class teacher in the development of lesson frameworks and technical facilities to meet teaching/learning needs, including assisting in planning layout of facilities and advice on specialised requirements in furniture, fittings and services. Repairing damages or arranging for this to be done and constructing apparatus and equipment. Taking stock of chemicals, consumables, stationery, books and breakable items; advise Senior Technician/Head of Subject on stock replacement needs; ordering of the above and checking deliveries. Maintain laboratories, preparation room and all work areas in a clean, tidy and safe condition, as well as apparatus for practical work, prepare resources, assemble apparatus, and deliver equipment to lessons; organise audio / visual material for lessons.

Learning Sopport Assistant

• Sep 2013 - Mar 2014

Helping pupils with schoolwork under the supervision of the teacher, preparing learning materials, encouraging children to be confident and independent, helping children understanding instructions, carrying out a child’s care plan (education, social, behaviour and personal), encouraging children to communicate, giving information and help to teachers, supporting children during social activities and outings, organizing art and science sessions. Helping pupils with schoolwork under the supervision of the teacher, preparing learning materials, encouraging children to be confident and independent, helping children understanding instructions, carrying out a child’s care plan (education, social, behaviour and personal), encouraging children to communicate, giving information and help to teachers, supporting children during social activities and outings, organizing art and science sessions.

Conservation Technician

• Sep 2011 - Jun 2012

Cleaning, fixing, and cataloguing old books and manuscripts. Install, maintain, collecting and interpreting data from temperature and humidity controllers. Advise the archive owner on best strategies to manage the books and manuscripts, and their environment Cleaning, fixing, and cataloguing old books and manuscripts. Install, maintain, collecting and interpreting data from temperature and humidity controllers. Advise the archive owner on best strategies to manage the books and manuscripts, and their environment

Science Educator

• Sep 2004 - Jun 2012

Duties of oral orientation, encounters, interactive labs with schools and citizens on scientific subjects (chemistry, biology, physics, ecology, etc.),organization of didactic materials, risk assessments, organize and plan outreach activities and lectures. Responsible for the day to day operations of the laboratories and for arranging the availability of equipment and materials to coincide with the needs of teaching and practical classes. Issuing and receiving apparatus, materials, chemicals, collection of equipment/materials. General maintenance and serving of standard apparatus and equipment, and documenting in writing the results for others to use the information. Preparing equipment and materials that will be required for the practicals and for the lectures, conferences, or outreach festivals and fairs. Providing oral and written advice and assistance to other scientific educator on matters of safety, demonstrating techniques and use of instrumentation. Assisting in the design, planning and equipment requirement and usage associated with all the activities carried out.

Tutor

• Jan 2009 - Jul 2009

Students Support responsible for 50 international student of the Master Degree in Science for Cultural Heritage Conservation and Bachelor Degree in Technology for Cultural Heritage Conservation, mentoring on personal, cultural issues, as well as organize professional, social and cultural programs.

Technical and administrative personnel

• Sep 2007 - Oct 2008

Duties of back and front office, working in a team of scientists, technicians, and volunteers, organizing cultural events, lectures, conventions, lectures, exhibitions, interactive labs and festivals on scientific subjects (i.e. Festival of Creativity 2008, week of the scientific culture 2008, Science Fair 2008, etc.). Assisting in the use and care of apparatus, instrumentation and equipment, and routine preparation work. Estimating forward requirement of materials, ordering needs, finding best suppliers, producing orders for authorisation.