Profile

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Deborah Aitken

My CV

  • Education:

    2001-2007 Anglo European School, 2007-2009 Stratford Upon Avon Grammar School for Girls, 2009-2013 University of Surrey, and 2014-2015 University of Salford.

  • Qualifications:

    Currently working towards my PhD by publication in Medical Education with Simulation, Previously I have an MSc in Management, BSc in Biochemistry and Neuroscience, and A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, and Psychology.

  • Work History:

    I have worked in 4 different NHS hospitals across Manchester UK for the last 4 years. Before that I worked at the Brain and Mind Research Institute in Sydney Australia

  • Current Job:

    I have two jobs. I am currently working as a Researcher publishing my work from the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital but I am also a Manager in the Undergraduate Medical Education at Wythenshawe Hospital

  • About Me:

    Woman, mid 20s, accidentally ridiculous, explorer, shoe collector, and healthcare researcher.

  • Read more

    I’ve lived in Manchester for the last 4 years but I grew up in Essex (no I don’t have the accent). I live with my boyfriend and our cat and I was recently described as “awkward and funny”.

    I am a certified Pilates trainer, have performed at the Royal Albert Hall, and recently trekked into the Sahara desert on a camel.

    Likes: coffee, cats, red lipstick, and instagram.

    Dislikes: running, hairdryers, the patriarchy, and skinny jeans.

  • Read more

    Would you know what to do if someone had a cardiac arrest?
    My research has turned learning CPR into a game that you can play in school to compete with your friends and with other schools across the world.

    Using a new high tech robot, you can practice CPR as much as you like and get a score on how good you are. Then you can upload all your scores to an online leaderboard where you can collect points and badges. Some students get even better than some real Drs!

    This is my high score but I have seen some people get 99% and 100%!

  • My Typical Day:

    Training school students how to use the robot and how to do CPR

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    Prep:

    I check the robots are ready and working, code the online leaderboard with the new school and students, and create individual QR codes instead of passwords

    At the school:

    Teaching CPR for my research in a school in 2016

    I teach everyone how to do CPR, how to keep their heart healthy, and how to recognise a cardiac arrest. I also show them the robots and everyone can have a go. Then I leave the robot with the school in a public place and all students and staff can practice CPR and upload their scores whenever they like.

    Afterwards:

    I go back to the hospital, look at the scores from the day and save them to compare with later scores and see if they get better or worse.

    After this I am pretty tired!

  • What I'd do with the prize money:

    I’m not sure yet but it will probably look something like this:

  • My Interview

    • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

      Cadbury Creme Egg – I’m hard on the outside but sweet underneath

      Were you ever in trouble at school?

      My tutor told me off every morning for being late and breaking the dress code.

      Who is your favourite singer or band?

      I honestly don’t know

      What's your favourite food?

      Vietnamese – I love it so much I am going to Vietnam in August to learn how to cook it myself!

      If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

      1. To have enough time and money to travel the world. 2. To wear a different pair of shoes every day. 3. World peace, Stan.

      Tell us a joke.

      A robot walks into a bar, orders a drink, and lays down some cash. Bartender says, “Hey, we don’t serve robots.” And the robot says, “Oh, but someday you will.”

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