Shelley Cook
- Current job title: Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Researcher
- Current location: Natural History Museum, London, UK
- Field of research: Flaviviruses
- Education history: DPhil, Molecular Evolution, University of Oxford (2005); MSc Integrative Bioscience, University of Oxford (2001); MA (Hons), Biology, University of Oxford (1998)
- Wellcome Trust awards: Biodiversity Studentship; Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowship
- Other awards: BBSRC Research Masters Studentship; Soper Bursary Award for Overseas Research
Tell us about your background.
I did my biology degree at the University of Oxford. After I graduated I travelled around the world, then worked doing market research for a pharmaceutical company. At this point I decided that working in industry wasn't for me, so I went back to Oxford to do a Master's in integrative biosciences. While I was doing this, I decided I wanted to do a DPhil, and I was awarded a Wellcome Trust Biodiversity Studentship to study viral molecular evolution. After graduation, I worked for a year or so in biotechnology stockbroking, essentially translating science for fund managers. I found I'd rather be doing the science myself, so I applied for Wellcome Trust-funded postdocs. I'm now working at the Natural History Museum and am coming to the end of my Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowship.
Why did you choose your career?
I always knew I wanted to do science - all my GCSE and A-level choices were geared towards it. I was originally thinking of becoming a vet, but I became allergic to animals.
How would you describe your job?
I research flaviviruses, which cause diseases including dengue fever and yellow fever, and their vectors, which include mosquitoes and ticks. Recently I've been analysing mosquito samples from France, Thailand and Vietnam. We've been amplifying a particular region of mosquito DNA that can help us identify the different species we've collected.
Overall, I'd describe my job as half lab work, a quarter fieldwork and a quarter desk work. I've just had a review article on the evolution of a group of flaviviruses accepted - that's taken up a lot of time. I'm also lucky enough to have travelled extensively collecting samples in the tropics.
In lay terms, what's your science about?
We're working on flaviviruses to offer insights into the emergence of viruses in general. Some flaviviruses are spread by mosquitoes and some by ticks. They represent a unique model to understand how viruses evolve to be spread by insects.
My work also aids the accurate identification of potential disease vectors in general. This can be integrated into other methods of viral surveillance. We're working to develop high-throughput cell culture, which can screen thousands of individual mosquitoes at a time - introducing a new level of accuracy in the search for emerging viruses. Some mosquitoes spread flaviviruses, while others don't. Trying to identify a mosquito with a hand lens in the field provides room for identification error, which is why we are developing a molecular method for mosquito identification to complement traditional morphological protocols.
What are you working on at the moment?
Now my review article has been accepted, I am working with my collaborators to develop methods for identifying mosquitoes from a range of our field sites, primarily Thailand and Vietnam. We've already discovered a new species of mosquito during this work. I'm also working with a German biotech company to develop 'next generation' sequencing methods for identifying products in the immune system of plants and insects that may indicate a flaviviral infection.
What's the ultimate aim of your work?
To be a useful part of the jigsaw. No one scientist is going to solve the problem of vector-borne disease, be it malaria, dengue or yellow fever. We want to bring together tools, protocols and data to provide a new understanding of the transmission mechanisms of viruses and vectors. This could have a big impact across a range of diseases.
We also want to provide useful tools and resources for others, in particular our collaborators in Uganda, Thailand and Vietnam, allowing researchers in those countries to identify the viruses and vectors they find quickly.
What are the difficulties and challenges of being a scientist, and how do you overcome them?
Funding. Wellcome Trust funding is excellent, so this has not been an issue for me personally, but wherever you work there are always problems with equipment and infrastructure.
I think motivation can also be a problem - not for me, but I've seen it in others. You really have to be a self-starter. In molecular biology, for example, many techniques such as PCR can be a 'black box'. They won't work for a long time, then suddenly they will. Unless you can maintain both the bigger picture and the passion for doing the science, it can be difficult to keep going. Many students came straight into their DPhil from their undergraduate studies and struggled to stay motivated. I'd travelled the world and worked in the pharmaceutical industry, so I think I had a stronger appreciation as to why I was doing it.
How has the Wellcome Trust award influenced your career decisions?
The level of funding, support and intellectual freedom offered by the Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowship is without comparison. I've certainly benefited hugely from choosing which avenue to pursue with my research. The amount of satisfaction, interest and fun I've had during this fellowship has undoubtedly encouraged me to apply for the next stage of Wellcome funding.
What is the best part about doing science?
I like the intellectual freedom: you're always questioning the data and the robustness of your science. It's very challenging and you always have to double-check things. I also like the fact that I can never be sure what I'm going to find, and that one question generates another. Even when an experiment has failed, there's always the thought in the back of my mind that, in the grand scheme of things, my work may provide direct benefits to other people.
Who is your biggest role model?
In my field, it would have to be Ralph Harbach, my mentor here at the museum, and Eddie Holmes, who is based at Sydney University, my PhD supervisor. In more general terms, I think I take a little bit of inspiration from everyone who has a passion of some kind or an intellectual curiosity.
Who is your favourite living scientist?
Probably a number of my colleagues, just because they're passionate and fun.
Who is your favourite scientist in popular culture?
Richard Dawkins. I like that he raises interesting questions and encourages debate. I also love Edward O Wilson's writing since his books accompanied me on my travels and always stoke my passion for science.
What music do you listen to at work?
We do listen to music in the lab - Capital FM, I think. At my desk I listen to salsa music.
What are your hobbies?
I'm a professional salsa dancer. I dance, teach or train every night and at weekends and Wellcome have been very supportive of this. I've been World Championship semi-finalist and the European bronze and silver medallist. I've also been UK professional champion twice.
If you weren’t a scientist, you would be…
I guess, potentially a dancer! I couldn't just do dancing, though. If I only dance, my brain complains, and if I only do science my body complains. When I do both I'm much more productive - I absolutely need the balance.