I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Bath in 2006.  Then in 2007 I completed an MRes in Biochemical Research at Imperial College London where I worked on a broad range of research projects from neuronal signalling, cell adhesion molecules to the murine pathogen Citrobacter rodentium.  It was during this time that I first became interested in background leak conductances whilst investigating the muscarinic inhibition of two-pore domain potassium channels with Professor Alistair Mathie.  My doctoral studies with Dr Stephen Brickley at Imperial College London were focused on two different ion channel families, the two pore domain potassium channels and the extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, which generate persistent (or ‘tonic’) potassium and chloride leak conductances respectively.  Using electrophysiological techniques I investigated how the biophysical and pharmacological properties of these different ion channels contribute to neuronal excitability and anaesthetic action.  Currently, I am working as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr Jamie Maguire’s laboratory at Tufts University Medical School.  I am looking forward to continuing my research on extrasynaptic GABAA receptors and exploring their contribution to stress, depression and anxiety.