Hephzi Angela Tagoe
Writer and Science communication consultant
Hephzi is a multi award winning science communicator, freelance writer and public engagement professional with a PhD in skin biology, MSc in Pharmaceutical science with management studies, BSc(Hons) in Biomedical science.
stjohnslabs.com
The benefits of choosing rabbit monoclonal antibodies over regular monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
When it comes to identifying proteins in research or developing therapeutics for clinical use, antibodies have become uniquely placed as the most suitable option.
Ever since Georges J.F. Köhler and César Milstein first described the hybridoma technique for the production of monoclonal antibodies in 19741,2, antibodies have become indispensable to molecular biology and can be produced in several host species. However, the initial technique has since been modified with variations that meet mult...
stjohnslabs.com
Choosing Between a Sandwich and Competitive ELISA
1. What is an ELISA?
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a simple, quick, sensitive and reliable analytical technique used for detecting and quantifying protein biomarkers in immunoassays1. ELISA’s have been used for decades as a diagnostic tool and remains a gold standard for pharmacological and clinical diagnostics2.
2. How does an ELISA work?
The ELISA technique is based on the strength of interaction between an antibody and an antigen, commonly referred to as the binding specific...
Tech Cocktail
17 Young Women of Color Breaking Barriers in STEM
This summer, Diana Wilson is celebrating her graduation from the University of Virginia and is starting her career as an associate product marketing manager at Google. This is an exciting new chapter for Diana, who is a 2017 Forbes 30 under 30 scholar, went through college on a full scholarship from the Gates foundation, and is a recipient of Google’s 2018 Black History Month Pay it Forward Award, which celebrates black college students making a change.
Forty years ago, women like Diana were ...
ghscientific.com
How the over production of skin cells leads to a lifetime of scrubbing
Mary and Dela were excited about welcoming their first baby. But first they had to get through nine months of first time experiences. The first sound of the heartbeat, the first scan, that first kick and the first sign of a contraction. After the anticipation, the time had finally come to welcome their beautiful baby Felicity into the world. With one last push, out came Felicity with her first cry. She was special from the time she was born. Everyone seemed to be fussing over her. They were t...
researchresearch.com
Science should do more to get out of its big-city bubble
Universities and societies stage few events beyond their home patch. A little wanderlust would help make science more diverse, says festival organiser Hephzi Tagoe.
I’m a woman, I’m young, I’m an early-career researcher, I’m black and I live in Basildon. For the first four of these categories, I have organisations and individuals championing my interests and representing me at the decision table. But speaking personally, of all the minority boxes that I tick, my gender and ethnicity do not hi...
aspiringprofessionalshub.com
#PhDChat : ‘Athena Swan – Quest for Change or Another Tick Box Exercise?’
‘Opinion’ is our latest addition to The Hub. This is a space where writers can share their personal opinions about topical issues. In today’s article, a current PhD candidate* discusses her experience of becoming pregnant during her lab-based PhD. Should PhD candidates be treated as students (tax exempt stipend, no benefits) or staff (pay tax on salary, employee benefits e.g. maternity pay)?
I’ve been contemplating this post for a while – to write or not to write, to share or not to share. Af...
ghscientific.com
The Science of Addiction
The diagram below shows a normal brain scan and that of an addict under four different conditions. Notice any differences between the normal brains and addicted brains? I will come back to that, but for now lets get into the science of addiction.
It’s 6am and you open a can of beer for breakfast. By 9am you’ve gone through half a dozen cans of larger. No, I’m not addicted to alcohol, it’s just beer. It’s two am and you step out to roll up your next ‘weed’ fix. No I’m not addicted to smoking. ...
aspiringprofessionalshub.com
#PhDChat – From Industry to Academia, A Personal Lesson in Change Management!
As the popular saying goes, ‘The only constant thing in life is change.’ It is essential as an aspiring professional to develop the capacity to manage change. Navigating through new ‘territory’ comes with challenges but it can provide opportunities for growth too. In this article, Hephzi, reflects on the first year of her laboratory based PhD and how she is managing her – not so common – move from an industry background into academia.
After 8 years of working in industry, I decided it was tim...
aspiringprofessionalshub.com
#WideningParticipation : BME & STEM Engagement – Can we do more?
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion focused on how to deliver diversity within Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). However it is still the case that a lot of work remains in addressing the underrepresentation of black and minority ethnic (BME) individuals, disabled people, women and those from socially disadvantaged groups in STEM. In this article, Hephzi and Amara discuss how decision makers within STEM can engage with BME communities to ignite a passion for STEM in y...