Profile
Katie Barnes
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About Me:
Hello! I’m a PhD student at Newcastle university researching the effects on climate change on the railway system. Outside of that I love to be creative weather that is painting, crocheting or learning a new song on the guitar 🙂
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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How I use Maths in my work:
I use mathematical equations to measure how reliable and strong the railway is against the effects of climate change. This helps me predict what might go wrong before it does
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My Work:
I help protect the railway from climate change by studying how weather affects train tracks. I use science, maths, and computers to predict problems and help railway companies fix them before they happen
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My Typical Day:
I wake up at about 8am and read my book. I then have my breakfast (the best meal of the day). I like to work in a café in the morning most days as most of my work is computer based so I can work from wherever I want! I read lots of books and articles written by other scientists to help me learn more about my research
I then have some lunch before heading into the office to see my colleagues and working on my computer to write some code to model the train tracks.
After work I like to watch a film with a big bowl of popcorn and usually do some sort of craft activity like drawing, crocheting or painting.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
My research is focused on the effects of climate change so I would love to use the prize money to spread the word! My other passion is crafting, and I think by combining the two it will be a great way to both learn more about global warming and climate change whilst also getting your creative juices flowing
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Education:
I went to school at South Hunsley, In East Yorkshire.
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Qualifications:
For my options for GCSE I chose Music, Art, Spanish and Geography. I then did my A levels in Math, Biology, Chemistry and Further Maths because I wanted to do Natural Sciences at University so I had to know a lot about science to get in 🙂
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Work History:
I have had a lot of part time jobs while I was studying. My first job was at my village Pub as a waitress – I want very good as I’m quite clumsy! This also means I’m not very good in a chemistry Lab so I do computer experiments instead :). I have also worked in a club at university serving all the students on nights out and as an admin assistant before I got my PhD at Newcastle.
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Current Job:
My current job is a bit different. I am a PhD student so It means I get paid a living stipend rather than a normal salary. But it also means I get to learn a lot day to day and by the end ill be able to call myself a doctor. For my PhD I am researching how we will measure the long term effects of climate change on the UK Railway system
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Employer:
My PhD is sponsored by Network Rail. This means that they pay my tuition fees and living stipend while I help research information that might help them improve the railway. I work on predicting how climate change might affect trains and tracks, so Network Rail can plan ahead and keep the railway running safely.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
crafty climate scientist
What did you want to be after you left school?
weather presenter
Were you ever in trouble at school?
not really - I was very quiet and shy
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
If I was good enough I'd love to be an artist but I dont think you have to be good to enjoy it of course :)
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Gerry Cinnamon
What's your favourite food?
Chinese Takeaway
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I wish to have a job that I enjoy and is inspiring, I a big grand piano in my living room and I also wish I could take unlimited holidays abroad without it hurting the climate
Tell us a joke.
Why did the biologist break up with the physicist? They had no chemistry :)
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