Jackie, 28

Jackie is a science communicator with a PhD in Theoretical Particle Physics, a Master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences and a first-class Bachelor’s Degree in Maths. She was the first person in her family to go to university and growing up in North Liverpool people never thought she could achieve her dreams of becoming an astronaut. Not put off, she worked as a youth worker and waitress to put herself through university. Her hard work was rewarded when after completing her Bachelor’s degree, she won two separate John Lennon Memorial Scholarships to support her postgraduate study. Whilst completing her PhD, Jackie set up and ran a government funded project encouraging children and families from deprived areas to get into science. Jackie hopes this opportunity will bring her one step closer to the dream she was told to give up on. Jackie currently works at the Science Museum, and is an active cheerleading coach and athlete for the two-time national champions the Liverpool Foxes, the University of Liverpool cheerleading team.