Jo Lockhart

joined the Department of Chemistry in December 2013, initially working part-time for Professor Steve Ley and his research group.  She soon became full time, taking on the administration for Professor Jane Clarke and her research group.  In June 2015, she moved to become Assistant to Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian.  This is where she is now!  She is heavily involved with his research group.  During he time at the Department, she has worked with and supported quite a few students as they move through their graduate studies and have always been ready to listen and give advice when asked.

"I started my working life as a secretary, moving into marketing before becoming a full time mother for 12 years.  I have 3 children.  My daughter is now a qualified primary school teacher and my two sons are at university, one studying chemistry and the other, maths.  I became actively involved in their education from the beginning by helping in class, being part of parent teacher associations as well as becoming a governor at their secondary school.  My interest in education developed and, before I knew it, I was working as an unqualified teacher, training on the job to become a fully qualified chemistry teacher.  One of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher is helping students in a pastoral capacity.   Often life outside school, college and university can have a big impact on how a student copes with the academic pressures put on them and this often affects their mental health.  I have first-hand experience of this with one of my own children.  I did not go to university when I was younger, but studied and gained an honours degree in Chemistry through the Open University whilst bringing up the children.  This involved many late nights and early mornings to complete assignments when the children were asleep.  This continued through my teacher training, although by this time the children were old enough to help out! I am still continuing to study as I am about to embark on my final module for an MSC in Medicinal Chemistry through the OU.  As a result of my own experience of studying, I understand the pressures on graduate students who have dependents and other responsibilities outside of their studies and know just how good it is having someone to talk to."